Hidden Cotswold Tour 18th October 2023
You can tell a lot by the tone of pre-tour communications.ย So, with this in mind I was looking forward to meeting Ellen and Ken.
I was not to be disappointed as we met at Kingham Station.ย However, Ellen was a little subdued following Ken’s brother’s 60th Birthday celebrations the night before!

I forgot to ask to take a picture of the two of you to go here.ย So, if you can,I’d really appreciate it if you could send me one of the pictures I took of you and I can add it here.ย Thank you
Burford
The weather forecast was not brilliant, but we were all in a positvie mood and looking forward to the tour.ย ย
I took the back lanes which at times are quite narrow.ย We drove through Swinbrook and then on to Burford.
I let them out at the top of the hill and agreed to meet at the bottom.ย From where we walked around the ‘Wool’ Church of St James.

Burford, a beautiful old Cotswold town, its high street sloping from the high Wolds, where you have beautiful views over the open countryside, down to the willow fringed River Windrush in the pretty Windrush valley. A fine three arched medieval bridge crosses the river at the foot of the hill.
The Slaughters
From Burford, we drove on to and straight through Bourton-on-the-Water because I always think it is too “touristy” to spend time there. (I have got this very wrong on occasions!)ย Our next stop was Lower Slaughter, a much more peaceful village, where we all got out and walked along the river to the mill and back.ย Umbrellas came in useful.
Then it was up to Upper Slaughter and a gentle stroll past the ford and back round to the car.

Upper and Lower Slaughter – the slightly macabre name comes from the Anglo/Saxon word for marsh. Lower Slaughter Mill is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Upper Slaughter is equally attractive – and one of only 14 Double-Thankful villages in England, villages that lost no men during either World War I or II. The villages are are linked by the gently flowing River Eye.
Donnington
Next we stopped at one of my favourite places, Donnington Brewery by the lake.ย ย
I was delighted to see one of the two peahens with some chicks.ย Patrick, the peacock, had obviously found true love and is now a father
I mentioned I always like to support the brewery in a tiny way by buying a bottle from the honesty fridge.ย Sadly, the setting of this Brewery still far outstrips the beer.
But, my tastes have changed and I love the craft beers inspired by the USA.

There has been a brewery at Donnington since 1865, when Richard Arkell started brewing beer alongside the farming enterprise. The building itself dates back to 1291 when it was one of the mills of Broadway Manor.
Chipping Campden
From here we took a loop around the village of Blockley.ย So, if you ever get to watch Father Brown you will, possibly, recognise it.
And then on to Chipping Campden.ย It was now lunch time and after a very quick deliberation The Bantam Tea Rooms was chosen for a warming bowl of soup.ย We re-grouped and had a brief stop by the gates to Baptist Hicks’ ruined manor house.

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.
Stanton and Stanway
Back in the car and we drove slowly through the village of Stanton. This village claims to be the prettiest in the Cotswolds. A bold claim which others will dispute.
Further along the road was the estate of Stanway and the home of the 13th Earl of Weymss and the gates to his Jacobean Manor House.

Stanway House is an outstanding example of an English Jacobean manor house; built of mellow Cotswold limestone between 1580 and 1640.
Route
A passing discussion on timing turned into a speedy rest of the tour as they perferred to catch the 4pm train.ย Passing through Stow and we arrived at Kingham Staion in good time, not needing to race to catch the train.
Thank you for your company.ย You were both great fun and make what I do such a pleasure.ย ย
It was quite surprising that we didn’t witness any murders in those 4 hours we were in the Cotswolds.
I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in London.
ย
