There are so many beautiful locations in this part of England that to pick out just a few seems unfair but as your luxury chauffeur driven car glides through this picture book part of the country it is easy to see why this has become every tourists idea of the England. The undulating countryside, the warm Cotswold stone, delightful towns and villages, which, even in the depths of winter make it a delight to visit.
Bourton-on-the-Water with the River Windrush running alongside the road and its little bridges giving access is as good a place to start as any. The ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ it has enough attractions to keep a visitor there all day. The Model Village and Motoring and Toy Museums and unique domed church are just a few.
Chipping Camden is a typical market town and has many beautiful period buildings and a wonderful 15th century church. Close by the town is Hidcote Manor Gardens which is made up of a series of small gardens containing many different types of rare plants and shrubs.
Stow-on-the-Wold is yet another gem with its medieval market cross in the centre a reminder of the what made the area so prosperous, wool. Some 20,000 sheep were traded at this spot. Though there are still plenty about today the sheep have given way to the delights of tourist shopping.
Stroud is positioned where five streams and rivers come together flowing towards the River Severn and became important centre for commerce. Today it is a haven for artists and craftsmen of all types and the visitor has the opportunity to see and buy their work.
Cirencester was and is the capital of the Cotswolds going back to Roman times. The Corinium Museum with its displays of the period and the now grassed over amphitheatre along with the magnificent church of St John the Baptist bear witness to the town’s importance over the centuries.