A tour for multi-explorers: The Cotswolds are often referred to as the “heart of England” – a hilly landscape with very lovely small towns that runs from southwest to north-east through six counties.
The journey is quite short in terms of mileage, but the longer in terms of impressions. There are no coastal towns, but all the nicer places inland. From London (usually Heathrow Airport) you can quickly reach the famous university city of Oxford. It’s worth visiting at least one of the colleges! But also the surrounding area is stunning. There is also one of the many small canals that once crossed the whole country. Today, the adorable Narrow Boats are popular houseboats.
A short detour should be made to Woodstock, adjacent to Blenheim Palace, the family seat of Winston Churchill. Another magnificent mansion is Kelmscott Manor.
A particularly nice place in the Cotswolds is Broadway with its houses of light stone and the huge chestnut trees that bloom wonderfully white and red, especially in spring.
The nearby Chipping Camden is not less attractive.
At the far edge of the Cotswolds wie find the city of Gloucester, which once had an important inland port and whose old warehouses are partly beautifully preserved, some of which are very run down.
To the south, again in the hillier area of the Cotswolds is the small town of Strout, which as a special feature has its Farmers’ Market once a week in the streets and the market area.
In Tetbury, the Woolsack Race is held once a year – a spectacle in which the whole city is joined by the athletes carrying a large wool sack up the steep road.
Not far away is Malmesbury, which is on the one hand a nice place with an abbey ruin and on the other hand the “Abbey House Garden“. For this one alone, the visit is worthwhile!
Somewhat secluded, very quiet and wonderfully quiet in the green is then Newark Park, an old little mansion with a beautiful garden and great views. We are already far south of the Cotswolds. With Castle Combe we find a very adorable village here, which is of course also a big tourist magnet. Be sure to come to the end of the day and then feel put back by centuries!
With a short stop at Lacock, the setting of many historical films, we arrive at the city of Bath with its wonderful Roman baths. From here it is only a stone’s throw into the valley of the River Avon and Bradford-on-Avon. At least the Avoncliff Aquaeduct, a bridge for the canal across the river, should definitely be on the agenda before returning to London and the airport.
For this trip you should calculate at least 8 days.
Here are some places enroute:
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London Heathrow Airport
London from above
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Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Oxford – View of the city from the church tower
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Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England
Woodstock, a lovely little town in Oxfordshire
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Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire, England
Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire
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Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, England
Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, England
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Broadway, Worcestershire, England
Broadway, Worcestershire, England
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Gloucester with its cathedral, Gloucestershire, England
Gloucester Cathedral
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Stroud with Farmers’ Market, Gloucestershire, England
Stroud with Farmers’ Market, Gloucestershire, England
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Tetbury on Woolrace Day, Gloucestershire, England
Tetbury on Woolrace Day, Gloucestershire, England
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Newark Park, Gloucestershire, England
Newark Park House (Gloucestershire)
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Malmesbury with his Abbey and Garden,
Wiltshire, England
Malmesbury with his Abbey and Garden, Wiltshire, England
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Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England
Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England
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Lacock, Wiltshire, England
Lacock, Witshire, England
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City of Bath with its Roman baths and abbey, Somerset, England
Roman Baths in Bath (Somerset)
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Avoncliff Aqueduct, Wiltshire, England
The Avoncliff Aqueduct in Wilthire
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Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England
Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England
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Devizes with its ship’s staircase over Caen Hill, Wiltshire, England
Caen Hill in Devizes (Wiltshire)
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London Heathrow Airport
