Hidden Cotswold Tour 29th January 2023

I picked up my guests, Lise and Neil, from their charming Airbnb in the village of Milton-under-Wychwood.
As we set off the fog was hiding the beautiful views across the Evenlode valley.
But, the forecast was good and I optimistically promised better weather as the day progressed.

Honeysuckle Cottage Milton-under-Wychwood

Bourton-on-the-Water

Our first town was the ever-popular Bourton-on-the-Water.  Despite being a cold and grey January norning it was surprisingly busy.  We decided not to stop but settled on a slow drive-through as I pointed out a few landmarks.

Bourton-on-the-Water

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 being serviced by the many shops, cafe’s, and attractions

Lower Slaughter

From Bourton it was a short drive to the Slaughters.  Lower Slaughter could not offer us a single parking space.  So, again, we drove through very slowly.  Talking about the recent fame of this village as a filming location and on the other end of the time scale I pointed out a cottage that was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086.

lower-slaughter-cotswolds

The name of the village of Lower Slaughter stems from the Old English name for a wet land ‘slough’ or ‘slothre’ (Old English for muddy place) upon which it lies. This quaint village sits besidea the little Eye stream and is known for its unspoilt limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style.

Upper Slaughter

In Upper Slaughter the sun had come out and we found the perfect place to leave the car and do a short circular walk around the village.  Stopping first at the ford which crosses the beautifully  clear River Eye.
Slowly walking up to the Church I chatted about the amazing Cotswold Dry Stone walls and looking at the Stonesfield slates that cover the roofs.
We popped into the Church of St Peter and marvelled at its history and beauty. 

St. Peter's Church in Upper Slaughter

The building that dominates Upper Slaughter is the beautiful gabled Manor House which is one of the finest buildings in the area. The Manor is now a hotel.  Upper Slaughter is known as a ‘Double Thankful Village’ due to all their then members of the armed forces surviving both World War I and World War II.

Donnington Brewery

My next planned destination was Stanway but one of my guests spotted the sign to Donnington Brewery.  So we performed a quick U-turn and drove down to this magical brewery by the lake inhabited by swans, ducks and brown trout, amongst other wild life!
A bottle of their beer, for later supping, was bought from the wonderful “honesty” fridge!

Donnington Brewery

Thomas Arkell bought a 13th-century watermill in this idyllic countryside on the edge of a magical lake setting. Today, the mill wheel is still used to drive pumps and machinery to brew their beer the same way 150 years on.

Stanway

Back on schedule we continued to Stanway and the home of the Earl of Wemyss.  The impressive gates to Stanway house really illustrate the honey-coloured Cotswold stone.  We had a good look at the house from the churchyard and stopped to try and read some of the gravestones.  We spent a little quite time in the 12th Century Parish Church of St Peter.

Stanway House Gate House

Stanway House is an outstanding example of an English Jacobean manor house; built of mellow Cotswold limestone between 1580 and 1640.

Stanton

It was now approaching lunch-time and I thought the Mount Inn at Stanway would make a great place.  Sadly, it was closed and all we could do was imagine how lovely it would have been to sit with a drink and admire the spectacular view from the garden.

Stanton is probably one of the prettiest and idyllic villages in the whole of the Cotswolds. Little changed in 300 years it nestles beneath the slopes of Shenbarrow Hill. It has a very pleasing long main street with several delightful corners where the ancient house are built in typical Cotswolds style with steeply pitched gables, mullioned windows and glowing honey coloured limestone walls.

Broadway

Next intended stop was Broadway, but this looked very busy and I suggested a pub in Chipping Campden.

So, we performed our ‘slow-drive-through’ tour of Broadway, follwowed by a trip to see Broadway tower.  This again was from the car as lunch was calling.

Broadway Tower in the Cotswolds

The Cotswold village of Broadway is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’ and the ‘Show Village of England’ 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.

Chipping Campden

Lunch was taken at the Red Lion.  They generously invited me to join them, thank you.
Once refreshed, we had a short walk to the church taking in a few shops on the way and chatting about the history of this lovely town.
On the way out we drove very slowly past the group of thatched houses with their ridge-topped straw ornaments and the eye-catching topiary. 

Chipping Campden

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.

Blockley

Time was getting on , so we drove gently through the ancient silk-mill town of Blockley.  Another town with a more recent connection.  This time to the television series of Father Brown.

Blockley Village

During the eighteenth century when the wool industry was in decline Blockley turned to silk production. By 1884 six silk mills powered by the fast-flowing Blockley brook provided work for about 600 people preparing silk for ribbon-making factories in Coventry.

Route

Our final stop was the well-known Daylesford Organic Farm Shop.  A feast for the eyes as you take in the wonderful foods and wines on offer.  But don’t expect any bargains!  It was then back to where we started and fond farewells. 
Thank you for making what I do so enjoyable, 

Hidden Cotswold Tour 29th January 2023

If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below.  Thank you