Cotswolds - Places to Visit in the UK

History of the Cotswolds

In the Cotswolds the present and past blend well and reminders of over 4,000 years of history sits comfortably with traces of the Bronze and Iron Age, the Romans and Anglo Saxons and the English Medieval period. This has always been a populated region of England and even back to Roman times it was known to be an attractive area to establish settlements. Many have been found and are still discovered on a regular basis. The incredible beauty of towns and villages is a testament to buildings and nature living well together, creating a picture of an English garden at peace with the world. It has been widely recognised that progress has not spoiled this tranquillity but in many ways has added to it, this is credited to careful planning and respect for the beautiful Cotswolds.

Chocolate box beauty

Many generations have created this harmony and the present generation is conserving their history for many generations to come. An area of outstanding beauty and loved by people from all over the world. Hills and grasslands, woods and forests, village shops and stone houses many with breathtaking views puts a camera top of the list for essentials to go in the back pack. The cotswolds area is around the size of Greater Tokyo so involves careful planning when attempting to squeeze in the best places to visit as the choice is endless. The city of Bath on the River Avon is famous for its Spa, and also for an excellent afternoon tea in the Pump Room. The spa will take you back to the time of Jane Austen and the Bronte Sisters and has been recognised as a World Heritage Site. Cheltenham also has a Spa, shopping opportunities and the Cheltenham Race Course. The choice of picturesque small towns and villages includes Burton on the Water with it's antique shops and tea rooms. Burford and Castle Combe, where the houses are made of cream limestone used for the whole building including the floor and roof. The Cotswolds has stately homes and historical sites, beautiful open spaces and ancient woodlands, a truely chocolate box expereince!

Classic Cotswolds

A classic picture of rural life in the Cotswolds is the sheep on hillsides protected by the drystone walls. Going back to the 15th Century Cotswold wool was in great demand and popular in Europe for its quality and thickness. Many of the fine houses and churches were built from the wealth of the wool trade. The ancient church in Northleach is regarded as the Cathedral of this region and the door opens into a world of hidden history. Off the main roads are villages like Biddestone, Painswick and Woodstock and in Woodstock is the imposing Blenheim Palace and spacious grounds and is the birth place of Winston Churchill.

Market Towns

Market towns are many with Chipping Norton, Cirencester, and Tetbury each with Antique shops, local markets and local craftsmen and women demonstrating and selling their wares. Stow on the Wold is a typical example and each year is famous for its Gypsy Horse Fair. Other essentials to the tour should be Berkeley Castle, Warwick Cstle, Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucester Cathedral, Prinknash Abbey and Kelmscott Manor famous for being home to William Morris. Stratford on Avon and William Shakespeare’s Plays could be the climax to "The Grand Tour of the Cotswolds".