Cotswold Towns and Villages Bourton-on-the-Water, in the Eastern Cotswolds, is one of the most charming and popular villages in the area. Visitors come here constantly during the summer and just love pictuesque villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water. The most scenic route to Bourton-on-the-Water is from Stow-on-the-Wold. The idyllic charm of this village is unforgettable. As the name suggests, the village has a river as its focal point, this being a traditional feature of many villages in the Cotswolds. There are hundreds of ancient and beautiful villages nestled throughout this unique and beautiful area of England. Each village was designed and constructed from the natural limestone over several hundreds of years, each with an individual character, romance and magic. Visitors are guaranteed to fall deeply in love with his or her favourite Cotswold village. I hope you enjoy the history and have a good experience of the country life here on your day trips from London. Bourton-on-the-Water is sometimes known as "The Venice of the Cotswolds". 
Bladon is another picturesque village about 2 miles from Blenheim Palace and Woodstock. The village is named after the river Evenlode which was originally the Bladene. Bladon's history goes back to a Roman settlement in the third century and it is recorded in the Doomsday Book in 1086 under the name of Blade. The early history of Bladon is chiefly concerned with the quarrying of limestone stone which was used in many of the great buildings in the city of Oxford. The village is also noted for its contribution to the local trade of glove making. For centuries men and women have cut and sewn gloves, by hand, in their houses for the famous Woodstock glove industry. Of course, Bladon is now famous for the grave of Sir Winston Churchill in the graveyard of the Parish Church of St. Martin. Lechlade is about 9 miles south of Burford. Lechlade is a small market town on the southern borders of the Cotswolds where the rivers Coln and Leach join the Thames, and Inglesham, just above Lechlade. The town, being close to the river, is busy with river craft of all shapes and sizes and various types.  There are two fine bridges here. The 18th century Ha'penny Bridge, with its little square toll house overlooking the boatyard, and at the southern end of town in the meadows well to the south-east, is the St John's Bridge, which dates back as early as 1228. As I said, in the summer many boats moor on the river banks between the two bridges. After taking to the river, you can look forward to experiencing several places to eat including pubs on your return. Ablington is another enchanting hamlet just 1 mile northwest of Bibury and is located on the River Coln. Ablington has a fine manor house which was built in the 16th century by a wealthy Cirencester wool merchant named Jon Coxwell. 
Ablington was once the home of J. Arthur Gibbs; the renowned author of the book 'A Cotswold Village', a classic book about his observations and pursuit of Cotswold country life in the closing years of the 19th century. Nearby is Ablington House, a beautiful 17th century building complete with gateposts surmounted by lions which once graced the Houses of Parliament in London.
Chipping Norton is an idyllic model village established with extensive parkland overlooking the Worton Valley. There are many evergreen trees and picturesque thatched cottages here. Incidentally, as a matter of interest, there's a small inn with stocks on the village green. As you are aware, the Cotswold area is loaded with history, so I thought the following might really encourage you to visit the area. Nothing remains of this fine manor house which was lived in by Viscount Falkland, who was killed in the Civil War at the battle of Newbury in 1643. It was replaced by an odd 19th-century mansion built by the descendants of Mattew Boulton, partner of James Watt (inventor of the steam engine) in Birmingham's famous Soho Foundry. The village where Viscount Falkland lived has the village pub, The Falkland Arms. It's named after the seventeenth century lord of the manor. Nearby lie the famous Rollright Stones erected 3500 years or more ago. I actually found these stones quite by accident while driving the Cotswold country lanes a few years ago. The stones actually form a ring of standing stones known as The King's Men, with a single stone, the King's Stone, a short distance away. The Rollright Stones are a must see if you're in this part of the countryside. Chipping Camden's High Street has buildings over 500 years old and designed in dark golden stone. The small town has a very interesting 15th century church with 14th century chancel and most interesting brasses. The town's finest building is the Jacobean Market Hall built in 1627, built with cobbled floor and uses magnificent oak timbers. This well designed building alone makes the town look very impressive. The village of Bibury is said to be the most beautiful English village, as quoted by Victorian artist William Morris. This showpiece is Arlington Row's group of 17th century weaver's houses. Cloth was fulled at Arlington Mill, now an intersting rural and craft museum. Next door is a trout farm and a very old church which is part Saxon. Bring your camera along when you visit this most pictuesque village of Bibury. Broadway is another charming village in the Cotswolds, with warm stone buildings and many antique shops for you to browse. The 16th century Lygon Arms was a resting place for both Charles ll and Oliver Cromwell. There's also a museum of toys here and has about 800 teddy bears, can you believe.  The Folly Tower is close by on Broadway Hill, the tower was built in 1799, crowns the second highest point in the Cotswolds; 1024 feet above sea level. The observation room shows great panoramic views, which was of great interest to Victorian artist and craftsman William Morris, who actually spent his holidays here. |
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