Hidden Cotswold Tour 31st May 2023
From the moment I met Colleen, Rachel and Nora I knew it was going to be a good day.
It was 9.30 and we were at the Greenway Hotel and Spa in Shurdington, rearing to get started on our tour of the North Cotswolds.

Painswick
Our first stop was a short drive south to the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’ town, Painswick.
There was not a single space to park the car and yet, strangely, there was no one around. We eventually spotted a place in a back street and set off for a little wander through the town, stopping at the “spectacle” stocks, the church and churchyard.

Painswick is quite often referred to as the Queen of the Cotswolds due to its fine buildings of pale grey limestone. These are a reflection of the town’s former prosperity during 300 years of activity in the cloth and wool industry.
Snowshill
We were on our way to Broadway and we travelled via three little villages. Our first stop was Stanway, getting out to look at the Jacobean Manor and Church. We then drove up and down one of the Cotswold’s ‘prettiest villages’ Stanton.
And then onto Snowshill, the location for some of Bridget Jones’ Diary.

Snowshill village sits on the top of the escarpment above the villages of Broadway, Buckland, and Laverton. It is a secluded village where ancient pretty cottages and a 19th century church cluster around a small green. As its name implies – if there is any snow about then you will find it here first.
Broadway and Broadway Tower
In Broadway we were walking up the high streett and as I couldn’t effectively describe what was in the ‘Man Cave’ we ventured in to find out.
Popping into the Lygon Arms for a look, we jointly, I think, decided it was time for a cup of coffee.
Back in the car, we drove up to Broadway Tower to get a better view of this Victorian Folly.

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
In Chipping Campden it was time for some lunch. We opted for a pub-lunch in the Red Lion. This was another chance to sit and chat as we waited patiently for the food.
Wandering up the High Street and dropping into some shops, we chanced upon Louise Pocock’s hat shop where Colleen bought a delightful little hat.

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.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Next, we were on our way via, Broad Campden and Blockley to Stow-on-the-Wold. Again nowhere to park. I had to park outside our shop where we went in to meet Jenny. Colleen tried on a few coats and jackets.
Then onto see the Church doors, being the inspiration to JRR Tolkein’s Doors of Durin.

Stow-on the-Wold is the highest of the Cotswold towns standing exposed on 800 feet high Stow Hill at a junction of seven major roads, including the Roman Fosse Way. The vast Market Square testifies to the towns former importance. Around the square the visitor is faced with an elegant array of Cotswold town houses and shops.
The Slaughters
In the car again and on our way to the Slaughters. We drove through Upper Slaughter but got out in Lower Slaughter for a gentle stroll up and down the river and up to the mill and to some freshly shorn sheep.
Our final town was Bourton on the Water. I decided not to stop as time was getting on and as it was after 5pm all the shops were closing

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 beside the little Eye stream and is known for its unspoilt limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style.
Back to Greenway Hotel at the end of a very jolly tour.
You were such a lovely family and I am still impressed by all your husbands who were left behind looking after, collectively, 6 children (one two year old) a new puppy and several dogs.
I hope you enjoyed your Spa day, London and Paris.Thank you for making the day such a memorable one.
