I collected my guests fom the Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh at 12pm. Starting with a light lunch before setting off.

Moreton-in-Marsh is one of the principal market towns in the northern Cotswolds situated on the Fosse Way. It grew up in the thirteenth century as a market town with a wide main street, narrow burgage plots and back lanes.
We drove via Blockley and Broad Campden to Chipping Campden. Here we walked through the town visiting the Church and a couple of galleries.

Chipping Campden is one of the loveliest small towns in the Cotswolds and a gilded masterpiece of limestone and craftsmanship. The main street curves in a shallow arc lined with a succession of ancient houses each grafted to the next but each with its own distinctive embellishments.
From Chipping Campden, we nipped up to BroadwayTower to admire the “Saxon” folly and the amazing view from the car.

Built in 1799, it is a perfect example of an eighteenth century Gothic folly from which it is possible to survey an area which includes as many as thirteen counties..
Then into Broadway. With a quick wander up and down the high street and a visit to a local gallery.

The Cotswolds village of Broadway is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’ because of it’s sheer beauty and magnificence. The ‘broad way’ leads from the foot of the western Cotswolds escarpment with a wide grass-fringed street lined with ancient honey coloured limestone buildings dating back to the 16th century and earlier
We went up and down the high street of Stanton admiring another of the villages with a claim to be the prettiest in the Cotswolds. On our way to Stanway we caught sight of the fountain in action. We had a good look at Stanway House from the church yard.

Stanway House is an outstanding example of an English Jacobean manor house; built of mellow Cotswold limestone between 1580 and 1640.
From Stanway it was on to Bourton-on-the-Water. A gentle wander up and down the river and a chance to watch the ducks. Before leaving, we dropped in to the Cotswolds Gin shop for a little taste and a small souvenir.

Bourton-on-the-Water has been described as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds and is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region.
We jumped back into the car and set off to Burford. A little off today’s route, but a town I thought needed to be visited. We went around the town and to the top of the hill to take in the great view.

Burford is considered to be the Gateway to the Cotswolds.
From the top of the town you have beautiful views over the open countryside, down to the willow fringed River Windrush in the pretty Windrush valley.
From Burford we went north again to Stow-on-the-Wold. Here having a look at the famous doors at the rear of the church and a walk around the town. Stopping for a look in the Clarendon Gallery.

Stow-on the-Wold is the highest of the Cotswold towns standing exposed on 800 feet high.
A beautiful market town with historic links to the civil war.
We had time to visit Upper Slaughter and a look down the drive to the magnificent Upper Slaughter Manor before dropping down into Lower Slaughter, one of my favourite villages.
Then time to return to Moreton-in-Marsh.

The river Eye runs through Lower Slaughter and is crossed by two small bridges. A beautiful tranquil village less visited by tourists. Home to Lower Slaughter Manor Hotel.