Welcome to our latest Britain Update newsletter from AboutBritain.com. This issue, we're looking at the North Cotswolds, an ideal location in which to unwind before the hectic Christmas and New Year rush!
Quenton Fyfe
Summer holidays are now just a distant memory, this is the perfect time of year to have a short break in the countryside to relax and gear up to the busy festive season. The Costwolds is a delightful place to escape the stress of everyday life. There are wide vistas, sheep grazing on gentle rolling hills, picturesque towns and villages to explore. An area beloved by artists, photographers, walkers and those seeking the tranquillity of this special part of Old England, where little has changed for centuries.
Chipping Campden is the finest and most historic of the Cotswold ‘wool towns’, many of its buildings date from the 14th century when the town was the principal centre of the trade. Sir Baptist Hicks, a generous patron of the town donated the Market Hall in 1627. His tomb can be found in the beautiful Church of St James, which is well worth visiting. One of the most visited villages in England is Broadway, its mellow stone houses retain all the charm of the 18th century. There are plenty of galleries and interesting specialist shops to browse. Children and collectors will love the Broadway Teddy Bear Museum, a magical world for all ages. Nearby is Broadway Tower, built on an ancient beacon site, it's one of England's outstanding viewpoints. With a direct rail link to London, Moreton-in-Marsh is a convenient destination, lying either side of the old Roman road, the Fosse Way. Shops and houses of honey coloured Cotswold stone line the main street, together with old coaching inns and comfortable hotels. From here a pleasant drive through the Evenlode valley brings you to the village of Adlestrop, the subject of Edward Thomas’s poem. To the south west lies the village of Oddington. Be sure to visit the old church to see the unspoiled interior and its great treasure, the medieval wall painting ‘Doom’ The highest of the North Cotswold towns is Stow-on-the-Wold, the site, in 1645, of the last battle in the Civil War. Many of the old inns in the town still burn log fires in their vast stone fireplaces in winter months, a great treat on a cold day! Today, Stow-on-the-Wold is a mecca for antique hunters. Don’t miss the nearby villages of Upper and Lower Swell, and further south Upper and Lower Slaughter. Bourton-on-the-Water is a beauty spot even in winter. The River Windrush flows through the main street and ornamental arched bridges span the river. You will find lots to see and do. Why not visit the Model Village, the Railway Museum or enjoy a visit to Birdland inhabited by over 500 birds in a natural, tranquil environment. We hope you have enjoyed reading about some of the destinations and attractions in the North Cotswolds, we can assure you there are lots more for you to discover when you visit this beautiful area.
Alternatively, our superb range of Holiday Cottages in the Heart of England offer outstanding value and excellent accommodation - ideal for longer stays.
Please be sure to check the note at the bottom of this section.
That's all for this issue of BritainUpdate from AboutBritain.com. We hope you've enjoyed reading this newsletter. Next time, we'll be
looking at why Manchester's a great city break destination - and we'll have some more superb offers too!
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