Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the showplaces of the Cotswolds, attracting visitors again and again with its special charm.The village's old world Cotswold houses are built of locally quarried stone with some of the oldest dating back to the seventeenth century. The village itself is much older than it's current buildings, for Bourton, or to give it is older name of Burghton or Boroughton can trace its story from pre-Roman times.

A number of ancient trackways converged on Bourton. The most important of these was - and still is - the Roman Fosse Way, which starts from the mouth of the Humber and ends in Devon, and which runs along the top of Bourton-on-the-Water.

Broadway
Broadway is one of the most beautiful villages in England situated at the Gateway to the Cotswolds.t has a wide High Street lined with horse chestnut trees and contains a mixture of period houses and Cotswold stone cottages.Broadway's unique location makes it an ideal base for touring the Cotswold's numerous villages and is within easy reach of such places as:

• Stratford upon Avon
• Warwick
• Oxford and the University Colleges

Burford
Burford is situated about 20 miles west of Oxford and generally regarded as the Gateway to the Cotswolds.The wide High Street sweeps down towards the river Windrush which is crossed by a narrow three arched bridge. The High Street contains all manner of houses, shops and inns, some dating from the 15th century. From the 14th to the 17th century Burford was a great wool town and near the middle of the High Street is the 'Tolsey' where once wealthy wool merchants held their meetings and collected tolls; it now houses a museum.

Cheltenham
Cheltenham became a spa town in 1716. It is said that the first medicinal waters were discovered when locals saw pigeons pecking at salty deposits which had formed around a spring.in 1788 the town received Royal patronage in when King George III came to drink the waters.
Between 1790 and 1840 this led to the rapid development of Cheltenham as a fashionable spa.
With it's Regency architecture and wonderful town house facades, Cheltenham is the most complete Regency town in England.

Chipping Campden
Consisting of Chipping Campden, Broad Campden and Blockley, and set on the edge of the Cotswolds, this historic town in north Gloucestershire is a Mecca for discerning visitors, from home and abroad.
Chipping Campden was once described as the most beautiful village in England . It's easy to see why.

Cirencester
Cirencester, known as the "Capital Of The Cotswolds", is an historic Roman town in the heart of the Cotswolds with attractions from a Roman Ampitheatre to the nearby Roman Villa. The Corinium Museum in an important source of information on the local history.The Greek writer Ptolemy mentions Korinion in his Geography, written about AD 150, and it is agreed that the Romans based the name Corinium on a Celtic word Corn or Corin. This may derive from the name of the British tribe, the Cornovii, and in any case it is connected with the name of the River Churn.


Fairford
Fairford is an attractive market town situated on the edge of the Cotswolds in the beautiful Coln Valley.It is located in the eastern section of the
Cotswold Water Park , an extensive complex of over 100 lakes created from gravel extraction.The Water Park offers a wide range of water and land based activities and is also nationally recognised as an important conservation and wildlife study area.

Malmesbury
On the northern borders of Wiltshire stands the small market town of Malmesbury.ts origins date back to the middle of the sixth century, after the Saxons wrested final control over this part of the country from the Britons. Malmesbury is the oldest borough in England, with a charter given by Alfred the Great around 880.The town is dominated by the now ruined abbey at its centre. Only a third of the abbey has survived, but in the Middle Ages the building had a tall central spire, reaching higher than Salisbury Cathedral's high spire.

Moreton-in-Marsh
Located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode valley, Moreton is a thriving market town dating back 1000 years to the Saxon era.The small, friendly and pretty town provides a wide range of facilities and is the perfect base from which to explore the world-famous Cotswolds.

Stroud
The local countryside around Stroud made famous as the setting for Laurie Lee's "Cider With Rosie" has long been an inspiration to artists and writers.Encircled by five sweeping valleys, the scenery is dramatic and the town has a bohemian feel, with cafes, galleries, markets and bookstores to potter around.

Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on the-Wold is one of the highest points in the Cotswolds and stands exposed on a 700 feet high hill.
As a central location for the Cotswold wool industry the town was famous for it's huge annual fairs where 20,000 sheep were known to have been sold at a time. The wealth brought to the town by the wool trade is evident in the vast Market Square. Surrounding the square the visitor is faced with an elegant array of Cotswold town houses.

Tetbury

Tetbury is heaven for antiques enthusiasts.
With over 30 antique shops in the town, Tetbury has earned an international reputation as a fantastic trip if you are in search of an antique.At the centre of the town is the stilted Town Hall which features the famous clock and dolphins, which have become Tetbury's logo.Tetbury is also famous for its local residents, princes Charles, William and Harry who all live less than a mile away in their Highgrove home, where they spend most of their time. The princes can often be seen in the town, and make official visits occasionally.


Winchcombe
The ancient Saxon town of Winchcombe (meaning 'valley with a bend') is situated in a beautiful Cotswold valley mid-way between Broadway and Cheltenham. Local attractions at Winchcombe include Sudely Castle with it's beautiful gardens. Queen Katherine Parr is entombed here.Cheltenham racecourse is also close by at Prestbury Park and is a big attraction for National Hunt fans.For motoring fans the Prescott Hillclimb Course holds motoring events at various times throughout the year.

Wotton-under-Edge
Wotton-under-Egde's history has always been linked to the fortunes of the Berkeley family.In 1252, Lady Berkeley obtained a Royal Charter for the town to hold a weekly market and yearly fair. The following year she granted a deed which set up Wotton as a borough. This gave the inhabitants the right to make their living without obligation to work for the Lord of the Manor.By 1470, together with Wiltshire and Somerset, Gloucestershire was producing one third of the woollen cloth made in England. This trade was the backbone of local prosperity for the next 400 years.
As with many Cotswold towns the prosperity brought by the wool trade can be seen today. With its shop-lined streets and historical buildings,
a visit to Wotton-under-Edge offers something for everyone.

Top of Page