Posted on June 01, 2019
The Cotswolds, one of the most beautiful destinations in England - if not the world ;-) is jam packed with culture and beautiful sights just waiting to be explored. We've selected a few of our favourites, well worth a visit during your next Cotswold jaunt...
St Edwards Church
St Edward's Church in Stow-On-The-Wold features possibly one of the most recognisable entrance doors in the Cotswolds and surely one of the most impressive! Rumour has it the magnificent north entrance, flanked by ancient yew trees, inspired JRR Tolkien’s door to Moria in Lord Of The Rings. The church itself is a true Grade I Medieval beauty and features a mix of architectures from additions and renovations made throughout the centuries. Nestled in the heart of Stow on The Wold, the town's lovely shops and boutiques: The Cotswold Company, The Cotswold Cheese Company, Law & Co - gastro pubs: The Porch House, The Bell - and tea shops: Lucy's Tearoom, The Old Bakery Tearoom, Huffkins, are only a short stroll away.
St Edwards Church, Stow-On-The-Wold
Arlington Row
One cannot visit the Cotswolds and not have a wander along Arlington row in stunning Bibury. This row of quintessential Cotswold stone cottages is one of the most visited sights in The Cotswolds and as a notable architectural conservation area it even features on the inside of all UK passports. Arlington Row cottages were built in 1380 as a monastic wool store and were later converted into weavers cottages in the 17th Century. It is possibly one of the most photographed scenes of The Cotswolds. The Swan Hotel, with it's gorgeous ivy adorning the facade, is ideally positioned to stay and explore the surrounding Cotswold villages, towns and beautiful countryside.
Arlington Row, Bibury
Sezincote
Sezincote, in Moreton-in-Marsh is quite simply magical! Mesmerising and tranquil, this vast family-run estate sprawled over 4500 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside, features a 200-year-old Mogul Indian Palace, set in a romantic landscape of temples, grottoes, waterfalls and canals reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. Exquisite and fabulous, it is a true gem of The Cotswolds. The Hindu and Muslim architecture is exceptionally beautiful and, along with the setting in which Sezincote sits, creates a harmonious blend of tradition and exoticism.
Sezincote, Moreton-In-Marsh
Church of St Mary
We recently visited the quaint and beautiful Church of St Mary in Batsford whilst enjoying a family walk in the neighbouring Arboretum. A truly enchanting and elegant church, it feels very intimate and serene. We immediately said to each other what a wonderful Church it would be to get married in. The church is quite small and would not necessarily feature on your typical Cotswold itinerary but if you are ever enjoying a walk at the Arboretum or in nearby Moreton-in-Marsh, then it is well worth the short detour to take in it's beauty and enjoy a quiet moment of serenity.
Church of St Mary, Batsford
Berkeley Castle
An ancient fortress with links to Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I and Francis Drake, Berkeley Castle has been lived in by the Berkeley family for almost 900 years. The estate consists of over 6000 acres of sensational grounds and includes a mediaeval deer park, 18 tenant farms, a stretch of the River Severn and the land on which the famous Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge is situated. Truly mesmerising is the history behind the Castle and the family which inhabits it to this day. The Berkeley family are the only English family still in existence in England which can trace its ancestors from father to son back to the Saxon times. The castle itself is the oldest building in the country to be inhabited by the same family who built it.
Berkeley Castle, pic credit: www.berkeley-castle.com
Snowshill Manor and Garden
Snowshill Manor is a stunning Cotswold manor house full of with extraordinary treasures collected over a life time by Charles Wade, who spent his life and his inherited wealth collecting an intriguing and wonderful collection of everyday and extraordinary objects. A wonderful visit for both adults and children alike, every room inside the manor house is filled with hundreds of objects from toys to bicycles and all sorts of other wonderful delights. Charles Wade, an architect, understood the importance of maintaining such a wonderful property and highlighting it's features and character. He named each room and gave it a specific theme. The Arts & crafts style terraced garden is a real haven of beauty and tranquility. You won't be disappointed during your visit.
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Broadway