TEN UNWIND - Cotswolds.com

Transcription

2016 official guide
stars of the
screen
tv & film locations
see page 26
ten
things to do
whatever the weather
relax &
unwind
ultimate spa breaks
see page 14
see page 10
www.cotswolds.com
contents
4
10
12
Quick Guide to the Cotswolds
Decide which of our beautiful towns
and villages to stay in.
Ten Things to Do
Whatever the Weather
Top ideas for great days out.
Sunshine optional!
Retail Therapy
From designer and high street
to shabby chic, we’ve got it all.
14 Relax & Indulge
From spa breaks to afternoon tea,
find time to indulge yourself.
16
Creative Experience
Discover a new talent on a wide
variety of courses and workshops.
17
19
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
2
The Great Outdoors
Get out and about in the beautiful
Cotswold countryside.
Looking for Adventure?
From zorbing to horse-riding, fishing
to water sports – you’ll find it all in
the Cotswolds.
Wild Encounters
Discover more about the area of
outstanding natural beauty and
wonderful wildlife in the Cotswolds.
Wine & Dine
Enjoy a warm Cotswolds welcome at
these great places to eat and drink.
Messing About on the Water
Don’t let the lack of coastline put you
off a water-filled Cotswolds holiday.
26
Welcome to the Cotswolds,
home to breathtaking countryside
and a place you’ll never forget.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape in one of our
fabulous hotels, pubs or cottages or planning an action-packed
weekend of outdoor activities and adventures, you’ll find it in
the beautiful Cotswold countryside.
Lose yourself in our stunning scenery; enjoy world class food,
drink and shopping; meander through picturesque villages and
bustling market towns or simply soak up the atmosphere at
one of our wonderful festivals and events.
TV & Film Locations
Walk in the footsteps of your favourite
TV and movie stars.
Gardens, Castles & Stately Homes
You’ll find gorgeous gardens, superb
stately homes and castles galore.
Heritage & History
Our top ten ideas for a historical day
out in the Cotswolds.
Quirky Cotswolds
Looking for days out with a difference?
You’ve come to the right place!
34
Attractions
41
Accommodation
59
Map
Visit www.cotswolds.com
Plan your stay
Make sure you download the Cotswolds app
before you get here – it’s the perfect companion
to our visitor guide and will help you make
the most of your precious time with us.
4
16
32
18
10
24
14
Don’t miss unique Cotswolds Festivals & Events
from internationally famous fixtures to the traditional or quirky!
15 - 18 March
23 - 30 May
9 June - 2 August
5 - 7 August
The Festival, Cheltenham
Winchcombe Festival
of Music & Arts
Longborough Festival Opera
The Festival of British
Eventing, Gatcombe Park
1 - 30 April
SITE16 – Stroud Valleys
Contemporary Arts Festival
and Open Studio Trails
22 April – 1 May
Wotton-under-Edge
Arts Festival
27 - 29 May
Lechlade Music Festival
30 May
Tetbury Woolsack Races
3 - 19 June
2 - 3 July
Cotswold Show, Cirencester
26 - 28 August
Stroud Fringe Festival
6 - 17 July
27 - 28 August
Cheltenham Music Festival
Phoenix Festival, Cirencester
8 - 10 July
3 - 8 September
Broadway Arts Festival
Royal International Air Tattoo,
Fairford
Jazz Festival, Cheltenham
3 - 4 June
8 - 18 July
7 - 16 October
30 April - 23 May
Cotswold Olimpick Games
and Scuttlebrook Wake
Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham
Cricket Festival
The Times Cheltenham
Literature Festival
Stroud International
Textiles Select Festival
and Open Studio Trails
7 - 9 June
9 - 10 July
13 - 15 November
Bledington Music Festival
Tewkesbury Medieval Festival
8 - 21 May
7 - 12 June
22 - 31 July
The Open Meeting
Cheltenham Racecourse
Chipping Campden
Music Festival
The Times Cheltenham
Science Festival
46th Guiting Music Festival
27 April - 2 May
20 - 22 May
History Festival, Gloucester
Look out for more diary
dates throughout the guide.
For a complete list visit
www.cotswolds.com/whats-on
Winchcombe Cotswolds
Walking Festival
Download the Official Cotswolds App today
3
quick
guide
Cotswolds
to the
4
Beautiful countryside, chic
accommodation, colourful
markets, quirky events and
shopping… the stunning towns
and villages of the Cotswolds
will always surprise you!
The north...
Whilst the rightly famous and popular towns of the
north Cotswolds such as Cheltenham, Broadway,
Bourton-on-the-Water or Burford feature in every
guidebook, head off the beaten track and you can unearth
hidden gems such as Bourton-on-the-Hill or Naunton.
Each of the better known market towns such as Chipping
Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold has
a cluster of villages around it and these are decidedly
Cotswold in character and well worth investigating.
Winchcombe is an unspoilt market town set on the Cotswold
edge. It’s known as being a centre for walkers and is a
great place to base yourself if you want to enjoy the rural
Cotswolds. A stay in the north Cotswolds brings Stratford
upon Avon and Oxford into perfect range for day visits.
The south...
The south Cotswolds covers the area around Cirencester
and the Stroud Valleys – continuing down to north Wiltshire
and towns such as Tetbury and Malmesbury. Basing yourself
here puts Bristol and Bath within easy reach.
The Cotswold Water Park is an incredible place for leisure
offering sports, walks and a beach based around 150 lakes in
40 square miles. Despite its size, it is a well-kept secret
just a few miles from Cirencester.
The ‘Five Valleys’ meet at the town of Stroud; linked by the
lofty heights of Rodborough, Minchinhampton and Selsley
Commons. Many artists and craftspeople live in these
peaceful, hidden valleys. The surrounding pretty towns
of Nailsworth, Painswick, Fairford, Lechlade-on-Thames
and Tetbury are all lovely Cotswold market towns.
Whichever part of the Cotswolds you choose, the advice is
to really make yourself at home by staying a little longer.
Image opposite:
Arlington Row, Bibury.
This page: Montpellier,
Cheltenham; Family
farm fun; Broadway;
Cotswold Morris Dancing;
Northleach; Bourtonon-the-Water; Cotswold
Olimpick Games,
Chipping Campden.
5
quick
guide
Cotswolds
Cheltenham Spa
This Regency town is internationally renowned for
its breathtaking cultural, sporting and annual events
programme. As the Cultural Centre for the Cotswolds,
Cheltenham offers a festival for everyone from
dancing to horse-racing and literature, plus comedy
and concerts at Cheltenham Town Hall. Historic
architecture includes the
stunning Grade I listed
Pittville Pump Room,
with The Wilson offering
a dynamic exhibition
programme and
collections of international
significance. Quality
accommodation, shopping,
and many dining options
make this a town for all
seasons. Map ref: F3/4
to the
The Wilson
The Cotswolds has some fantastic places to stay, from vibrant and
cultural cities to historic market towns.
Berkeley
Bibury
This lovely town is home to the 12th century
Berkeley Castle, which is the oldest inhabited castle
in England, and Dr. Jenner’s House, once the home
of the pioneer of the smallpox vaccination. Map ref: C6
William Morris once
called Bibury ‘the most
beautiful village in
England’ and it is still
one of the prettiest
today. Home to Bibury
Trout Farm.
Broadway
Famously beautiful and popular throughout the
year. Lined with some great shops, restaurants,
hotels and plenty of antique shops with Broadway
Tower as an iconic viewpoint overlooking the
town. Map ref: H2
Map ref: I5
Burford
Full of Cotswold stone
houses with hidden
secrets that can be
glimpsed through
narrow alleyways
and courtyards.
A renowned centre for
the antiques trade.
Map ref: J5
6
Bourton-on-the-Water
One of the most famous Cotswold villages
where you can enjoy the River Windrush with its
beautiful bridges and the town’s excellent visitor
attractions. Map ref: I4
Chipping Campden
One of the best preserved and most historically
important towns with a famously beautiful high
street, lovely thatched cottages and elegant
market hall. Map ref: I1
Fairford
Chipping Norton
Dursley
Fairford
A bustling, buzzing,
working Cotswold
market town at the
‘Gateway to the
Cotswolds’. It’s a
fantastic place to visit
with a great choice of
independent shops.
On the Cotswold
Way and surrounded
by hills, making it a
great base for walks
and Cotswold views.
Nearby Uley is home
to a nationally
acclaimed arts centre.
Map ref: K3
Map ref: D6
Sits on a stretch of
the River Coln offering
delightful walks in quiet
countryside. The great
glory here is the parish
‘wool church’ with
a complete set of
28 medieval stained
glass windows. Map ref: I6
Cirencester Ch
urch
Corinium Museum
Cirencester
Cirencester is a must-see
thriving market town at the
heart of the Cotswolds with
ancient origins. The town was
one of the most important
places in Roman Britain, making
the Corinium Museum worth
a visit. The town mixes old
with new, having a vibrant
arts centre with workshops,
Britain’s oldest open air
swimming pool and beautiful
abbey grounds. The amazing
selection of independent shops
and restaurants sit alongside
the ‘woolgothic’ church, which
dominates the marketplace.
Map ref: G6
Download the Cotswolds App today for
up to date events and places to stay
Gloucester
Rich in history, the city boasts a wealth of architectural gems,
numerous visitor attractions, a Premiership Rugby team
and can truly be regarded as a great English city. Besides the
awe-inspiring cathedral, Gloucester’s waterside location and
Victorian Docks feature Gloucester Quays outlet centre, a mix
of cafes and museums. Map ref: E4
7
quick
guide
Cotswolds
to the
Lechlade-on-Thames
On the River Thames and a lovely spot for boat trips,
fishing and picnics on the banks. Nearby Kelmscott
Manor was the summer home of William Morris for
25 years. Map ref: J6
Minchinhampton
A delightful market town with a good choice of cafés
and breathtaking views of the Stroud Valleys from
the common. Map ref: E6
Stanton, Stanway & Snowshill
Three of the most beautiful villages of the Cotswolds; Stanton is
lovely, has a fabulous pub and outstanding views. Stanway is host to a
magnificent manor house and a 300 foot water fountain and Snowshill
has a wonderful Manor and Lavender Farm as attractions. Map ref: H2
Painswick Valley
Moreton-in-Marsh
Stow-on-the-Wold
A bustling town which hosts the largest open
air street market in the Cotswolds. The annual
September Moreton Show is a major celebration of
past and present farming life. Map ref: J2
The highest of the Cotswold towns and famous as a centre for antiques,
boutique shops and places to stop and refuel. Visit St Edwards Church,
which used to hold prisoners in the English Civil War. Map ref: I3
Nailsworth
An artistic town renowned for
its award-winning restaurants,
pubs, cafés, food emporium and
a celebrated bakery (home to
The Fabulous Baker Brothers)
as well as independent shopping.
Map ref: E6
Northleach
A working Cotswold town with a
lovely market square where you
will get a sense of real life in the
Cotswolds. Map ref: H4
Stroud Fa
rmers’ M
arket
Painswick
Surrounded by marvellous walking country,
Painswick is one of the finest Cotswold towns and
sits on the Cotswold Way. The Rococo Gardens and
Laurie Lee’s Slad are nearby. Map ref: E5
8
Painswick
Tewkesbury
Winchcombe
Tewkesbury
Situated where the Rivers Severn and Avon meet, Tewkesbury has a character all of its
own and is one of the few places in the Cotswold area where you will see black and white
half–timbered buildings. In fact, there are almost 400 listed buildings and this makes it
popular with visitors who also enjoy spending time on the riverbanks, visiting the heritage
centre and admiring the elegant Abbey. Map ref: F2
Cotswold stone cottages enhanced
by black and white timber buildings,
narrow side streets and
charming houses make
up the centre of this
fabulous town. Sudeley
Castle, Winchcombe
Pottery and the
Steam Railway are
close by.
Map
ref: G3
Stroud
Probably
the most
photographed
villages in the
Cotswolds...
The Slaughters
Considered to be some
of the prettiest villages in
the Cotswolds attracting
visitors from all over the
world. Map ref: I3
Tetbury
The Market House is at the
heart of the town dating
back to the 17th century,
and is still used regularly
for markets. The town holds
many events including the
annual Woolsack Races.
Lower Slaughte
r
Map ref: F7
Stroud
Wotton-under-Edge
Brimming with independent shops, cafés, galleries and a lovely museum, bohemian
Stroud is home to one of the best farmers’ markets in the country. Here you will find an
eclectic mix of shops selling everything from fossils to fairies and vintage to vinyl, sitting
against the dramatic backdrop of the beautiful Five Valleys. Stroud is known as a centre
for contemporary arts, as well as its canal, commons, woollen mill heritage and colourful
festivals. Map ref: E6
Nestling under the Cotswold edge,
overlooking the Severn Vale, this town
is an excellent centre for walkers with
some lovely shops.
Map ref: D7
9
Go wild...
With breathtaking scenery and wonderful
walks, the Cotswold hills are a great place
for a gentle wander or something more
strenuous. You’ll be spoilt for choice for
al fresco eating spots. Picnic somewhere
spectacular like Minchinhampton Common
or along the Cotswold Way.
TEN
things
to do
wHATEVER
the
weather
You don’t need
sunshine to have a
Cotswolds holiday
to remember
With so much to see and do, both inside and out,
you’ll be hard-pressed to fit everything in.
So here’s our quick guide to the top ten activities
come rain or shine...
For more all-weather ideas visit www.cotswolds.com
10
1
4
Get some
(retail)
therapy!
We’ve everything
from gorgeous,
independent
boutiques to
designer outlets
at Gloucester Quays
and Cheltenham’s
Promenade. Bargain
hunters will love the huge
array of antique shops all
over the Cotswolds too.
Talk to the animals...
Ever come eye to eye with a giraffe or
held a chick or rabbit? The Cotswold Wildlife
Park and Cotswold Farm Park
have lots of activities
allowing you to
get up close
and personal
to animals big
and small.
8
fun
for free...
You don’t have
to splash the
cash to enjoy
the Cotswolds!
Visit one of our
free museums
including The Wilson
in Cheltenham,
Tewkesbury Heritage
Centre or the Museum
in the Park in Stroud
with its great kids’
activities.
2
DIARY DATES
Festival fun...
The Cotswolds are famous for a whole
host of large family festivals, fayres and
markets, from the Science and Literature
Festivals in Cheltenham to the annual
Royal International Air Tattoo at
RAF Fairford and wonderful
farmers’ markets
all year round.
19 March - 12 September
Hare Festival, Cirencester
13 May - September
Giffords Circus on tour across Cotswolds
27 - 30 May
South Cerney Street Fair and Duck Race
3 - 5 June
Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham
Racecourse
25 June
Northleach Charter Fair
25 June
Dursley Festival
Make a splash...
Enjoy boat trips from Tewkesbury,
Gloucester, Lechlade-on-Thames,
Saul and Ebley near Stroud or
try your hand at numerous
water sports at the
Cotswold Water Park.
5
17 July
Rugby in the Park, Gloucester
7
6
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF...
Looking for somewhere to wear the
kids out? Kick up some leaves and
enjoy the natural environment at our
two beautiful arboreta at Westonbirt
and Batsford. Explore from above at
Westonbirt’s new treetop walkway.
Go birding...
Why not cuddle a duckling at the Downy
Duckling Days at Slimbridge Wetland Centre,
watch the penguins being fed at Birdland Park
and Gardens or have a go at flying a bird of prey
at the Cotswold Falconry Centre?
10
WATCH HISTORY
COME ALIVE...
Become a Roman at Cirencester’s
Corinium Museum, dress up in
royal costumes at Sudeley Castle
or re-live the Arts and Crafts
period at the home of William
Morris at Kelmscott Manor.
LET OFF STEAM...
Experience life in miniature at the Model Village in
Bourton-on-the-Water (now Grade II listed), or visit the
Cotswold Motoring Museum overflowing with vintage and classic
vehicles. Head back in time on the GWR steam railway.
11
FROM CLASSIC TO CONTEMPORARY, BOUTIQUE
TO BUDGET, THE COTSWOLDS HAS IT ALL
12
retail
THERAPY
w
hatever your style, the
Cotswolds offers a huge
range of fantastic shopping
opportunities – from shabby chic and
vintage to high end designer clothing.
Meander through the lanes of our lovely
towns and villages to
find an eclectic mix of
clothes and interior
ideas, antiques and
bookshops as well as a
whole host of food and
farmers’ markets, cafés
and restaurants.
Corn Hall which hosts regular craft fairs
and food markets.
Visit the charming medieval town of
Tewkesbury for the chance to sample
Old Spot Pig Pie and Tewkesbury mustard
balls in the 1471 deli or to browse the
lovely range of shops
offering gifts with
a difference.
Experience
shopping the
Cotswolds way
If designer shopping is
your style, Gloucester
Quays or the Promenade
in Cheltenham are home to big designer
names. Cheltenham’s Montpellier and the
Suffolks are full of independent shops.
Find time to wander through the
lanes of Cirencester, a rural market
town full of cafés, restaurants and quirky
stores as well as the newly restored
Bohemian Stroud
sells everything from
fossils to fairies and
is home to specialist
vintage, vinyl and
book shops. Further
north in the beautiful
Cotswold hill villages, you’ll find wonderful
antique and vintage shops – the perfect
places to hunt for a bargain.
For more ideas about shopping in the
Cotswolds, download our Vintage &
Modern Touring Routes free of charge
from www.cotswoldsvintagetours.com
or www.cotswolds.com/vintage.
DIARY DATES
March
Made in Moreton, Moreton-in-Marsh
25 - 28 March
Gloucester Quays Spring Fest, Gloucester
25 April
Vintage Fair, Tewkesbury
14 - 15 & 21 - 22 May
Open Studio Artists Weekends,
Stroud Valleys
17 July
Art Couture Festival, Painswick
3 - 20 December
Christmas Market, Cheltenham
Image opposite: Highgrove Shop, Tetbury. This page: Beechwood Shopping Centre, Cheltenham; Vintage shopping,
Cotswolds; Gloucester Antiques; Crafts in Cirencester.
13
relax & unwind
Luxurious Cotswold manor houses such as Barnsley House
near Cirencester, Calcot Manor near Tetbury, Cotswold
House Hotel & Spa in Chipping Campden, Ellenborough
Park near Cheltenham and Wyck Hill House Hotel near
Stow-on-the-Wold are havens of relaxation offering
extensive spa and pampering treatments.
The new spa at the Kings Head Hotel in the heart of
Cirencester provides a unique, subterranean vaulted space
to unwind.
Day visitors can enjoy Britain’s
only natural thermal spa at Bath
Thermae, where you can relax in
the warm, mineral-rich waters of an
open-air rooftop pool overlooking
this beautiful, historic city.
Plenty of other day spas or overnight
retreats can be found throughout the
Cotswolds to enjoy a relaxing break.
SWEET TREATS
There are some fabulous locations
in the Cotswolds to treat yourself
to the tradition of afternoon tea.
Depending on the time of year, enjoy
high tea on the lawn surrounded by
beautiful gardens, or sit down and
relax in front of a cosy log fire.
Ellenborough Park provides
grand surroundings for afternoon
tea in their Great Hall, while
Thornbury Castle, once owned by
Henry VIII, offers a truly historic
setting. At Lords of the Manor
in Upper Slaughter and Barnsley
House, indulge in afternoon tea
amongst gorgeous gardens.
Take high tea on the
lawn or a Cotswold cream
tea in front of a log fire.
14
Mayfield House, near Malmesbury,
is a good tip for a traditional
Cotswold cream tea, and
Three Ways House near Chipping
Campden, home of the worldfamous Pudding Club, is an
obvious choice.
S PA breaks
RELAX
& indulge
Images opposite: Calcot Manor
near Tetbury; Kings Head,
Cirencester; Ellenborough Park
near Cheltenham; Thornbury
Castle. This page: Thermae
Bath Spa; Barnsley House.
Take some time out from the
hustle and bustle of everyday
life and recharge your batteries
in the Cotswolds.
For true indulgence, spoil yourself as a day visitor or
overnight guest at one of the Cotswolds’ luxurious spa hotels.
Enjoy a taste of quintessential England and tempt your taste
buds with a Cotswold afternoon tea of finger sandwiches,
scones, clotted cream and sweet treats.
15
creative EXPERIENCE
Artists in
residence
Hole yourself up in
beautiful surroundings
and learn a new skill
such as painting, music,
writing or photography.
New Brewery Arts in Cirencester
and Hawkwood College near Stroud
host a year-round
programme of
interesting courses.
Arty and crafty
Natural highs
The Corinium Museum in Cirencester
and the Museum in the Park in Stroud
host workshops including jewellery,
mosaics and painting. The Wilson
in Cheltenham holds free family
drop-in workshops the last Sunday of
every month, while Nature in Art in
Twigworth runs courses ranging from
botanical drawing to willow art.
Get out and about amongst nature and
study some rural skills such as the art of
dry-stone walling or an introduction to
scything with the Cotswold Conservation
Board. Learn from professional
photographers in the most amazing
natural settings such as Batsford,
Westonbirt and Slimbridge WWT.
The Cotswolds
offers a host
of creative
and quirky
recreational
courses to inspire.
This page: New Brewery Arts; Nature in Art; The Cookery School at Thyme,
Southrop. Opposite: Views from The Cotswold Way.
GET COOKING
Perfect your culinary skills or learn the art of bread or
cheese-making at some of the famous cookery schools
in the Cotswolds. With provenance and seasonality
being so important, here’s your chance to learn about
cooking from field to fork, in restored barns and
state-of-the-art kitchens tucked away in beautiful,
rural settings. For a truly natural experience, Daylesford
Organic and The Cookery School at Thyme offer
foraging amongst their many courses. At Foodworks,
you can learn how to cook with game or at Abbey Home
Farm, reproduce some delicious vegetarian recipes.
The best bit of course, sampling your work for lunch!
16
THE GREAT
Outdoors
Immerse yourself in the
Great Cotswold Outdoors by
exploring on foot or by bike.
17
T HE G REAT OUTD OOR S
Images: Coaley Peak near Dursley;
Fishing at Bibury Trout Farm;
Horseriding in the Cotswolds;
Cycling near Guiting Power.
w
ith over 5000km
of footpaths and rights
of way, the Cotswolds
offers great walking country. Serious
hikers will enjoy the challenge of the
Cotswold Way or Thames
Path. For recreational
walking, most towns and
villages have shorter
circular routes.
flat towpaths to gentle slopes and
sharper escarpments. These differences
in terrain give every level of cyclist a
chance to enjoy an extensive network
of routes, including quiet lanes and
Sustrans Route 45.
Discover
the secrets
of the great
Cotswold
outdoors
Many of the villages and
market towns have their
own walking trails, while
a few hold annual walking
festivals. The Cotswold
Voluntary Wardens
organise hundreds of free, guided
walks throughout the area.
Cycling is very popular in the
Cotswolds with routes ranging from
The Cotswolds &
Severn Vale 7-day Cycling
Route is a circular touring
map of the area.
It’s divided into seven
30-mile circular or linear
routes, featuring ideas
for where to stop,
eat and stay.
The area also offers
fantastic off-road cycling. A network
of tracks designated as byways and
bridleways makes off-road cycling one
of the best ways to discover the area.
DIARY DATES
10 April
Hell of the North Cotswold Cycle Race,
Winchcombe
13 - 15 May
Heaven of the South Mountain Bike
Festival
20 - 22 May
Winchcombe Cotswolds Walking Festival
17 - 19 June
Mountain Mayhem Cycling Event,
Gatcombe Park
29 August
Via Roma Twilight Criterium
Cycle Races, Cirencester
6 - 9 October
Dursley Walking Festival
18
looking for
adventure?
There’s plenty of adventure in
the Cotswolds, from gentler pursuits
to a rush of adrenaline.
Undercover adventure
The Warehouse in Gloucester and Far Peak Campsite near
Northleach provide excellent climbing and bouldering
facilities. Stroud’s Rush Skatepark is one of Europe’s
largest indoor parks and caters for all levels of BMX riders
and boarders. Opening in March 2016, the Flyup 417
mountain bike facility near Cheltenham will offer indoor
riding barns as well as outdoor downhill tracks.
leap of faith
MAKE A SPLASH!
THE sky’s the limit
The Cotswold Water Park is
a great location for adventure
on the water. All kinds
of water sports are available
from sailing to kayaking
and stand-up paddle
boarding to water-skiing.
Adrenaline seekers can head
for the Severn Bore and
surf the phenomenon of
the inland wave. For a more
leisurely pastime, fishing
lakes such as Watermark
Fisheries offer specimen
trout and coarse fishing.
What better
way to observe
the beauty of
the Cotswolds,
than from up
above? Enjoy
serene views
of the rolling
landscape from a
hot air balloon or a
bird’s eye-view from
a glider or paraglider.
At Gloucestershire
Airport, you can take
the controls on a trial
helicopter flight or
experience the rush
of adrenaline as you flip
upside down on
a wing-walk.
Climb the stairway to heaven or take a
leap of faith at Head 4 Heights near the
Water Park. Visit one of the many stables
and saddle up for a day. Or if you prefer
to keep your feet on the ground, brush
up your swing at a beautifully located golf
course. Sharpen your mind with some
target practice, clay-pigeon or archery style.
Some of the shooting schools, like Prescott
Shooting, offer ‘Have a Go’ days.
19
DIARY DATES
4 - 8 May
January - February
18 June
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Exhibition, Nature in Art, Twigworth
Festival of Nature, Stroud
2 May
Sheep & Wool Day, Northleach
20
Badminton Horse Trials
29 August
Winchcombe Country Show
3 September
Moreton Show, Moreton in Marsh
T H E C OT S WOL DS AONB
wild
encounters
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Cotswolds AONB
is known and loved by people across the world
2016
is a big year for the Cotswolds
as we celebrate 50 years of
being designated an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. Throughout the year, the Cotswolds
Conservation Board is planning a number of
celebrations to encourage everyone to protect
and enhance this beautiful landscape.
Find out more about some of the special events
planned by visiting www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
As a protected landscape, there are plenty of
opportunities to discover a variety of flora and
fauna including numerous types of orchid and
rare butterflies such as The Duke of
Burgundy, Marbled White and Adonis
Blue. Join the Cotswold Voluntary
Wardens who organise hundreds of
free walks throughout the area, and
explore with the experts.
While the Cotswolds is famed for its beautiful
wild landscapes, it is also a great area to spot
more unusual wildlife. Stroll along the famous
giraffe walkway at the Cotswold Wildlife Park or
marvel at the Asiatic lions and white rhinos in
the animal enclosures.
For fans of feathered wildlife, the Cotswold
Falconry Centre has free daily flying displays
of some of its 150 rare and unusual birds. You
can watch the pelicans, flamingos and penguins
being fed at Birdland Park & Gardens or discover
more about their 65 million year old ancestors by
walking the Jurassic Journey Trail.
Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetland Centre offers the
chance to hand-feed the birds, go on a Landrover
safari or follow the wildlife trails, while Adam
Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park is home to a variety
of rare breed animals and a great family day out.
Image opposite: Giraffe Walkway at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens.
This page: Marbled White Butterfly; Enjoying the Cotswold view;
Falconry display; Walking on Stroud Commons; Cotswold Lion Sheep.
21
wine&dine
Fresh, fabulous and found locally,
the Cotswolds offers an amazing range
of quality food and drink.
Pick up delicious local produce at one of our Farmers’ Markets, see page 44.
For information visit www.cotswolds.com or download the Cotswolds App.
22
t
he Cotswolds has earned itself
a well-deserved reputation with
foodies, not only for the quality of
eateries throughout the area (including
a sprinkling of Michelin stars), but also for
the array of produce on offer.
Gourmands will love the choice of farm
shops and specialist shops such as
Daylesford Organic, William’s Fishmarket
& Foodhall in Nailsworth and The Cotswold
Cheese Company in Moreton-in-Marsh
and Stow-on-the-Wold.
Single Gloucester cheese and Gloucester
Old Spot pork have been awarded Protected
Designation of Origin status. Smart’s has
become well-known for making the Double
Gloucester for the famous Cooper’s Hill
Cheese-Rolling.
Both new Gloucester Services (M5) have
become destinations in their own right
showcasing local produce. There are lots of
established food festivals in the Cotswolds.
Check the diary dates to find out more.
Other local favourites include Tewkesbury
mustard, Bibury trout, Stinking Bishop
cheese and Hobbs House bread.
Farmers’ markets take place regularly in
most of our towns, as well as some smaller
Cotswold villages.
Don’t miss a traditional Cotswold afternoon
tea or, for something stronger, a pint
of local ale in a traditional country pub.
The Gloucestershire Ale Trail highlights
some of the Cotswolds’ outstanding
craft breweries.
DIARY DATES
14 May
The Cheltenham Wine Festival,
Cheltenham Town Football Club
21 May
Witney Festival of Food and Drink
10 - 12 June
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival
25 - 26 June
Tewkesbury Food & Drink Festival
22 - 24 July
40th Cotswold Beer Festival,
Postlip Hall, Winchcombe
22 - 24 July
Gloucester Quays Food Festival
26 - 27 August
Frocester Beer Festival
26 - 28 August
The Big Feastival, Kingham
9 - 10 September
Moreton Beer Festival,
Moreton-in-Marsh
11 September
Broadway Food Festival
Image opposite: The Beaufort Dining Room at
Ellenborough Park. This page: Café Culture in
Cheltenham; The Bell Inn at Sapperton; Emily
Watkins, Chef at the Kingham Plough; Farmers’
Market; The Kings Head, Cirencester.
23
messing about
water
on the
Images this page: Gloucester & Sharpness Canal; Watersports, Cotswold Water Park; Chalford Round House;
Model boats at Saul; Eastleach Bridge. Opposite: River Severn, Tewkesbury.
Cotswold Water Park has over
150 lakes with a fantastic range of
water activities as well as a beach!
24
The Cotswolds
are criss-crossed
by rivers, streams
and canals
Don’t miss the spectacle of The Severn Bore
tidal wave sweeping up the River Severn
DIARY DATES
Seasonal
Severn Bore Tidal Wave
May
Lechlade Duck Race
16 - 17 July
Cotswold 226 Triathlon,
Ashton Keynes, Cotswold Water Park
29 August
Football in the River,
Bourton-on-the-Water
26 December
Bibury Duck Race
Medieval Wool Industry
Water is a constant theme through the
past and present of the Cotswolds and
played its part in the medieval wool
industry that brought wealth to the area.
Gently flowing, shallow Cotswold rivers,
which were perfect for washing wool,
can be seen at Rack Island at Bibury,
where wool was washed and dried for
market. At villages such as Blockley, you
can visit mill gardens like Mill Dene and
in beautiful Lower Slaughter, the River
Windrush flows past The Old Mill.
Cotswold Canals
The town of Stroud, at the heart of five
beautiful valleys, is celebrating its watery
heritage by restoring the Stroudwater
Canal to its former glory. Here you
can explore the historic woollen mills
connection as you walk or cycle along
the towpath, perhaps spotting a kingfisher
or two. Enjoy a leisurely boat trip from
Ebley Mill or Saul Junction.
Cotswold Rivers
The River Thames starts near Kemble,
and continues past William Morris’s
house at Kelmscott to London.
At Tewkesbury, Shakespeare’s River
Avon and the River Severn meet at this
wonderfully well-preserved medieval
market town highly popular for boat
trips. The Thames Path and Severn Way
are popular with walkers and Slimbridge
Wetland Centre can be found on the
banks of the Severn, perfect for spotting
river wildlife.
25
lark about
Chavenage House was
used as a setting for ‘Lark
Rise to Candleford’ the
great British drama set in
the 19th century.
SWOON...
The BBC’s remake of ‘Poldark’, the romantic saga set in
18th-century Cornwall is based on the novels of Winston Graham.
Chavenage House featured as the Poldark family home.
tv & film
locations
The Cotswolds has the perfect scenery to be used for TV and film locations and
many of the Cotswold country retreats are perfect settings for great British drama.
CINDERS SHALL GO TO THE BALL
HERE’S JOHNNY... depp!
In the latest ‘Cinderella’ film, Blenheim Palace was used as one of the
locations. The Grand and Bladon Bridges set the scene for the carriage
journey to the Palace when Cinderella goes to the ball.
The Cotswold manor Stanway House featured
in the film ‘The Libertine’ where Johnny Depp
plays a debauched 17th century poet.
Film producers love the
Cotswolds – you may be lucky
and see a production being
made when you visit!
26
SHERLOCK
Cheltenham has been used
numerous times as a film
location. Benedict Cumberbatch
was filmed at The Daffodil
restaurant for ‘Sherlock’.
country file
The Cotswolds features
regularly in ‘Countryfile’ where
presenter Adam Henson has his
farm park.
CALLING ALL MUGGLES
Gloucester Cathedral has been used in many of the ‘Harry Potter’ films as Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the setting for most of Harry’s adventures.
‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ and ‘Sherlock’ were also filmed in the historic
setting of Gloucester.
WE like you,
‘Just as you are’
‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ was filmed in the
beautiful Cotswold village of Snowshill
where there is a snowy Christmas scene
just before the family festive party.
Lord Grantham comes to the Cotswolds
The Cotswold village of Bampton doubles as the fictional village of Downton in the
hit drama series ‘Downton Abbey’. Many of the houses, church and pub exteriors have
been used in the filming.
WOLF HALL
Many Cotswold locations have been used for the
filming in ‘Wolf Hall’ including Chavenage House,
Chastleton House, Berkeley Castle and Gloucester
Cathedral, all superb Cotswold buildings.
cider with rosie
A new BBC drama retells the vivid memoir
of Laurie Lee’s childhood during and after
WW1. The Cotswold village of Miserden
doubles as ‘Slad’, where the book was set.
27
gardens
CASTLES &
stately homes
2016 marks the
300th anniversary
of the birth
of Lancelot
Capability Brown
2016
r
a
e
Y the sh
i
l
g
n
E
of
n
e
d
r
Ga
In late spring and summer, the herbaceous
borders at Hidcote Manor, Snowshill
Manor, Sezincote Gardens and Bourton
House Garden will surprise and delight.
Kiftsgate Court and Sudeley Castle’s
Queens’ Garden - named after the four
English queens that walked within –
become beautifully fragrant with roses.
In association with
DIARY DATES
Feb - March
Snowdrops at Colesbourne
Park, Newark Park &
Painswick Rococo Gardens
22 - 23 April
Gardens Illustrated
Festival, Tetbury
17 – 19 June
Blenheim Palace Flower Show
18 - 19 June
2016 Open Gardens in Chipping
Campden and across area
16 July
Stroud Country Show
28
v
isits to gardens are often
associated with summertime,
but here in the Cotswolds, gardens
bloom and burst with colour throughout
all seasons of the year.
The Cotswold year begins with the first
flush of snowdrops where, in early spring,
Painswick Rococo Garden, Colesbourne
Park and Newark Park – a former Tudor
hunting lodge – are must-visit locations.
As the days begin to warm and daffodils
make a welcome appearance, gardens all
over the Cotswolds start bursting into life.
Historic woodland, such as Woodchester
Park, and the Gloucestershire Wildlife
Nature Reserves offer lovely walks for
bluebell spotting, while Cheltenham’s
parks and Batsford and Westonbirt
Arboreta become awash with blossom.
Broadway Tower is the highest little castle
in the Cotswolds. This was the brainchild
of the great 18th century landscape
designer Capability Brown. The grounds
of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston
Churchill, were also landscaped by Brown.
Historic Berkeley and Thornbury Castles
are located in the south Cotswolds.
Berkeley dates back to the 12th century
and was the scene of the murder of
Edward II. Walk in the footsteps of King
Henry VIII by staying at Thornbury as he
did on his honeymoon with Anne Boleyn.
For more recent royal connections,
Highgrove House, the current residence
of HRH the Prince of Wales, offers
pre-booked tours of the beautiful gardens.
If the heat of summer gets too much,
head to Jacobean-era Stanway House,
where the world’s tallest gravity-fed water
fountain will help cool you down.
As summer turns to autumn and the trees
take on a golden hue, dramatic colours
can be seen throughout the ancient beech
woodlands of the Cotswolds. Be sure not
to miss the spectacular leaf displays at
Batsford and Westonbirt.
gardens & castles
Image opposite: The Berkeley Castle Tropical Butterfly
House. This page: Sezincote Gardens; Bourton House
Garden; Stanway Fountain; Blenheim Palace; Sudeley
Castle; Painswick Rococo Garden; Enjoying the Arboreta.
29
DIARY DATES
get arts & crafty
3 - 8 May
Chipping Campden Literature Festival
5 - 7 August
42nd Gloucestershire Steam Vintage
& Country Extravaganza,
South Cerney Airfield
4 September
Tetbury Classic Car Show
Find out why the Cotswolds were a
playground for the artists and writers
behind the Arts and Crafts movement.
Visit the former home of William Morris
at Kelmscott Manor, explore the Court
Barn Museum in Chipping Campden
or meander through the ‘room’s created
by Lawrence Johnston at Hidcote
and marvel at the eclectic findings
of Charles Wade at Snowshill Manor.
2
SO PHOTOGENIC
Gloucester Docks is a filmmakers’ favourite with scenes
from numerous movies
filmed there. But wander the
warehouses, flour mills and
timber yards to get
a feel for life in the
late 1800s.
8 - 11 September
Heritage Open Days across the area
28 October
Henry III Celebrations, Gloucester
17 - 20 November
Gloucester Quays Victorian Market
REGENCY splendour
4
1
What have the
Romans ever
done for us?
King George III’s visit to
Cheltenham in the 1780s
made it the fashionable
place to be seen.
Why not taste the waters at
Pittville Pump Room, catch
a concert or just wander the
beautiful Regency landscape and
admire the architecture?
8
glorious landscapes
Celebrate the 300th anniversary
of the birth of Capability Brown by
visiting one of his Cotswold creations
– the stunning landscape at Blenheim
Palace or the unique folly Broadway
Tower with its amazing views across
the countryside.
30
Find out at
Chedworth
Roman Villa,
one of the finest in
Britain or, for a great
introduction to local
history, pop into the
Corinium Museum
in Cirencester.
medieval tewkesbury
5
Ruled by just three Medieval families
for hundreds of years, Tewkesbury
was the site of the penultimate
and decisive battle of the Wars of
the Roses and is re-enacted in
a world-renowned festival
every year during the
second week of July.
9
DON’T BE SHEEPISH
6
The design of Cotswold
churches, houses and manors
was influenced by the great
wealth generated by the wool trade.
Discover where wool was processed
in the Stroud Valleys or visit the
working textile trade museum Gig
Mill in Nailsworth to find out more.
king of the castles
Discover the tomb of Katherine Parr
at Sudeley Castle or stay the night at
Thornbury where Henry VIII and
Anne Boleyn spent their honeymoon.
Don’t miss Francis Drake’s cabin
chest at Berkeley Castle!
TUDOR TALES
3
7
Henry VIII’s destruction
of the monasteries like
Hailes Abbey during
Tudor times changed the
Cotswolds landscape forever.
New style mansions like
Newark Park and Stanway House
were built and are ripe for exploration.
HERITAGE
&history
You can’t move in
the Cotswolds
without bumping into
something old!
We’re home to Britain’s oldest inn, The Porch House
in Stow-on-the-Wold, a picturesque town famous as
the site of the last battle of the English Civil War. Most
Cotswold towns were originally built by the Saxons
and you’ll also find numerous beauty spots including
Painswick Beacon, a former Celtic hilltop fort, and the
Neolithic long barrow Hetty Pegler’s Tump.
There’s history around every corner but here are our...
top
10
TEN
things
to see & do
For more information visit www.cotswolds.com
GO GOTHIC
Experience the mysteries of
Woodchester Mansion, a Gothic
masterpiece that was never completed.
There’s lots to do including spooky
horror nights or walks amongst
the resident bat population!
31
Cotswolds
QUIRKY
join in our quintessentially quirky
events to find out what makes
the cotswolds truly unique
32
Some of the quirky Cotswold traditions
passed down through the centuries can
still be seen today. Join the locals and
experience some of these for yourself.
The world’s eyes will be on Rio in 2016,
but the Cotswolds has its own ‘Olimpicks’.
Taking place near Chipping Campden for
over 400 years, this fun-packed day includes
the traditional shin-kicking contest.
Attracting spectators and competitors from
all over the world, the annual Cheese Rolling
at Cooper’s Hill sees a 9lb Double Gloucester
cheese being rolled down an astonishingly
steep hill, as competitors throw themselves
after it. The winner keeps the cheese!
DIARY DATES
2 May
Wacky Car Races, Tetbury
The world’s eyes
will be on Rio
in 2016, but the
Cotswolds has its
own ‘Olimpicks’
14 May
Randwick Wap
30 May
Tetbury Woolsack Races
30 May
Cheese Rolling, Cooper’s Hill
3 - 4 June
Cotswold Olimpick Games
and Scuttlebrook Wake
Image opposite: Cotswold Olimpick Games, Chipping
Campden. This page: etbury Woolsack Races; Cheese Rolling,
Cooper’s Hill; Morris Men; Severn Bore; Griff Rhys Jones
enjoying Football in the River, Bourton-on-the-Water.
7 - 8 October
The origins of Tetbury Woolsack Races date
back to the 17th century. Competitors run
up a 1 in 4 hill carrying a sack on their back
weighing up to 60lb, while the town comes
alive with a street fair.
Tewkesbury Mop Fair is the largest street
fair in Gloucestershire. It harks back to
the 12th century with fairground rides,
traditional games and sideshows in the
town centre.
The centuries-old costumed procession
of Randwick Wap is led by a mop-man and
features a May Queen and Mayor, who get
dipped in the village pond. It culminates in
a fair with music and entertainment.
The colourful folk traditions of morris
dancing, mummers’ plays and wassailing
take place individually, or are sometimes
combined together, and can be found
throughout the Cotswolds.
Tewkesbury Mop Fair
33

TEN UNWIND - Cotswolds.com

Transcription

Similar documents

PDF, 4507kb - Cotswolds AONB

Cotswolds Discoverer

Escape to the Cotswolds

Cecil Aldin - Nick Potter Ltd

Brochure/Product Information

Winchcombe and the Sudeley Valley

Guide Price £765000 Westington Corner Sheep Street, Chipping

Oxford Witney Four Pillars Hotel, Witney

25 Things to do in the Cotswolds