Hidden Cotswold Tour 7th May 2024
At long last we had the promise of some decent weather and I was at the Kings Arms in Stow-on-the-Wold at 10:00am full of optimism for the day ahead.
Brian, Kristen and Gwen were in the square ready to go and after a brief chat on the planned route we set off.
Blockley
I took the Fosse Way, the ancient Roman Road, up to Moreton-in-Marsh and slowly through Bourton-on-the-Hill before stopping in Blockley. Here we got out and wandered into the Church, being the parish church of the TV character Father Brown.
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. The Church is also well known from its role in the TV Series Father Brown.
Chipping Campden
Back in the car we headed north. I stopped for a fabulous photo opportunity looking across the valley. Then slowly through Broad Campden and on to Chipping Campden. I was keen to show them Hart’s the silversmiths and was delighted they were as impressed as I had hoped. I left them to wander down the high street before re-grouping by the classic Wool Church and popping in there for a look.
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.
Stanway House
It was then up to Broadway Tower where I let them out to enjoy the view from this high vantage point. Back in the car we drove slowly through Broadway, just stopping long enough for a photo or two. Then into Stanton with a little loop around the Mount Inn at the top of the hill. Next we stopped at the gates of Stanway House and looked over the wall at this impressive Jacobean Manor House and another quick visit into the small Norman Church.
Stanway House is an outstanding example of an English Jacobean manor house; built of mellow Cotswold limestone between 1580 and 1640.
Donnington Brewery
It was now lunch time and I took them to the Plough Inn at Ford.
I was glad to hear that they had a very good meal. As this was a Donnington Pub it seemed only right to divert down to the Brewery and admire its stunning location. I was surprised to see so many peacocks and hens today!
Donnington Mill dates back to 1291. In the 16th century it was used as a Cloth Mill.
Early in the 17th century, the buildings were bought by Thomas Arkell, whose descendant Richard Arkell started a Brewery there in 1865. The Brewery flourishes today and has been owned and run by the Arkell family ever since.
Bibury
We drove on to Bibury and managed to find a space to park. We walked along Arlington Row and completed the loop via Arlington Mill.
From here I took the back roads to pass through the peaceful Coln Valley. We stopped and got out in Eastleach Turville to see the ancient Clapper Bridge. The peace was occasionally interupted by an aeroplane from Brize Norton.
The main attraction of Bibury is Arlington Row. A group of ancient cottages with steeply pitched roofs. Originally built in the 14th Century as a wool store, they were converted to cottages in the 16th Century.
This image appears in some UK Passports.
Route
Back in the car we continued through more narrow country lanes and on to Burford. Stopping for a photo from the top of the hill, we drove down the high street and onto the ‘Wool’ Church. As it was past 4pm it was locked so we stopped just for a look and a couple of stories around the church.
I decided that a stop at Daylesford Organics would be a good final destination. And, indeed, it was. It never fails to impress, with its beautiful layout and the “beautiful” price tags!
Daylesford farm shop is a truly special shopping experience, with an abundance of fresh organic produce to tempt you.
Your senses will drift from the cheeses to the fresh meat to the wines. Don’t be put off by some of the eye-watering prices as it’s the perfect stop for a relaxing cup of tea and to lap up the luxury of this place.
Route
The Cotswolds were at their very best today and it was such a pleasure to show them off to you. We had a full day and, I think, got a very good flavour of what the Cotswolds are all about.
I hope you continue to enjoy your further adventures, with that wonderful advantage of United Airlines!
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