Hidden Cotswold Tour 3rd July 2023

The road outside the hotel in Bath was closed to traffic at 10am so I had a little extra challenge to meet today’s guests.
Kevin, Kate, Molly, Emily and Annie were there and ready to load up the car with their luggage.
Following introductions and a brief description of the tour we set off to Castle Combe.

Kevin Kate Molly Emily Annie July 2023

Castle Combe

With five guests in the car someone had the short-straw and had to sit in the back.  Annie, being the youngest, volunteered, I think, and climbed into the back seat.

Despite getting to Castle Combe reasonably early, it was filling up fast and there was nowhere to park.  So, I dropped them off and arranged to meet back at the market cross in 20 minutes.

Castle Combe

The village of Lacock dates from the 13th century and has many lime-washed half-timbered and stone houses. The Abbey was founded in 1232 and converted into a country house around 1540.  The fine medieval cloisters, sacristy, chapter house and monastic rooms of the Abbey have survived largely intact.

Malmesbury

In Malmesbury, we left the car and all walked into the Abbey and then stopping to look at the oldest purpose built Hotel in the country (so they claim) and then round the back to see the old ruins.  

Malmesbury Abbey

Malmesbury is rightly called the “Queen of Hilltop Towns” being England’s oldest borough with a rich history over 1000 years. Officially Malmesbury can be traced back to the fifth century, but modern excavations have revealed the remains of an Iron Age Fort, which casts the settlement possibly as far back as 500 BC. 

Coln St Aldwyns

We stopped at one of my favourite places, down by the river in Coln St Aldwyns.  Unfortunately the sun refused to come out and it was overcast but it was still a place of tranquillity.

Sheep taking shade in Coln St Aldwyns

The village of Coln St Aldwyns is in the heart of the Cotswolds. situated in unspoilt countryside and nestling in the beautiful Coln River valley. A tranquil spot away from the main tourist route. Aperfect spot for reflection.

Bibury

Bibury was its usual busy self and I dropped them off to stroll up to Arlington Row and suggestd they could walk all the way round Rack Isle.  We re-grouped by the traffic ligts and set off towards Burford.  But as it was lunchtime and we were all feeling hungry we chose to go to the pub before Burford.

Arlington Row Bibury June Evening Sun

The main attraction of Bibury is Arlington Row.  A group of ancient cottages with steeply pitched roofs dating back to the 16th Century.
This image appears on UK Passports.

The second attraction is now the Trout Farm!

Lunch and Burford

We found a great table for the six of us inside and ordered our food.  Following my recommendation most of us had the rare beef, sourdough sandwich with horseradish sauce.  I was impressed by the pint-drinking girls. 
While we ate, there was a really heavy rain storm.  But by the time we had finished the sun was shining.  It was a lovely lunch, thank you for treating me.

The Maytime Inn Asthall

The town of Tetbury is proud of its 1300 years of recorded history since 681 when Tetta’s Monastery was mentioned in a charter by King Ethelred of Mercia. Now famous for the annual Woolsack Race.

Bourton-on-the-Water

I dropped them off in Bourton-on-the-Water and looked for somewhere to park.  Arranging to meet back after 20 minutes.  

They duly returned on time, Annie with a bottle of something pink and refreshing from the Cotswold Distillery.

Bourton-on-the-Water

The town of Tetbury is proud of its 1300 years of recorded history since 681 when Tetta’s Monastery was mentioned in a charter by King Ethelred of Mercia. Now famous for the annual Woolsack Race.

The Slaughters & Donnington Brewery

Time was ticking away so we drove through both Lower and Upper Slaughter stopping to look and take some photos.   
As Emily worked in the brewing industry, I decided to call into Donnington Brewery and show everyone its magical setting by the lake with swans and Patrick the Peacock.  Plus his two new friends, but no dogs 😒

Lake at Donnington Brewery

The town of Tetbury is proud of its 1300 years of recorded history since 681 when Tetta’s Monastery was mentioned in a charter by King Ethelred of Mercia. Now famous for the annual Woolsack Race.

Chipping Campden

Into Chipping Campden and a wander around the town and into the Church.

 

Stow-on-the-Wold

The town of Tetbury is proud of its 1300 years of recorded history since 681 when Tetta’s Monastery was mentioned in a charter by King Ethelred of Mercia. Now famous for the annual Woolsack Race.

Blockley

Kate has watched Father Brown so, I was so pleased to be able to stop off in Blockley.  I parked the car and went to catch up, thinking they would be way ahead.  But they had met a tiny wire-haired dachsund which slowed them right down.  She was an adorable little thing and I was delighted to have stopped too!  We even had time for photos outside the church and a wander around the churchyard.

Stow-on-the-Wold

The town of Tetbury is proud of its 1300 years of recorded history since 681 when Tetta’s Monastery was mentioned in a charter by King Ethelred of Mercia. Now famous for the annual Woolsack Race.

Route

Our final stop was Stow-on-the Wold and time to say our good-byes.
You are an absolutely delightful family and it was a joy to spend the day with you. Thank you for making what I do such a pleasure. 
I will remember the day, if not for anything else, but for all the dogs that were spotted. 😊

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