| As promised in my earlier articles, I shall try to | | | | Saturdays there is a lively and vibrant market. |
| highlight just a few of the many treasures to be | | | | Woodstock (no, not that one) just north of |
| discovered in the delightful Cotswolds. I shall do so | | | | Oxford, is not merely picturesque; follow Park |
| in no particular order, precedence or favour, as to | | | | Street down to Town Gate and discover a portal |
| compare one Cotswold village to another town or | | | | to the magnificent Blenheim Palace estate. |
| city, would be akin to comparing Constable to | | | | Malmesbury this Wiltshire town is viewed as |
| Mozart; in that each has a beauty beyond | | | | sacred, with its hilltop springs, and the towering |
| comparison. Likewise, I shall offer only 'tasters', | | | | cliff sides adding drama to this, the oldest borough |
| which I hope may sponsor visitors to look further. | | | | in England. |
| Painswick is some 6 miles south of Gloucester and | | | | Winchcombe this fine town near Tewkesbury, |
| lies perhaps mid-way along 'The Cotswold Way' | | | | Gloucestershire, is home to Sudeley Castle and |
| footpath. Here you can walk up Painswick Beacon | | | | sits astride six long distance footpath 'ways'. |
| (height 283 metres) and take in astounding views | | | | Lacock just three miles from Chippenham in |
| of the Severn Estuary, the Brecon Beacons and | | | | Wiltshire and now almost entirely owned by |
| the Malvern Hills. Painswick is home to the oldest | | | | 'National Trust'; mentioned in the Domesday Book, |
| village rugby club in England and is truly hospitable. | | | | this beautiful setting has featured in so many TV |
| Northleach is a beautiful market town near | | | | programmes and famous films. Truly outstanding. |
| Cheltenham, yet is nicely tucked away. Set upon | | | | Cheltenham magnificent and renowned in its own |
| a crossroads on the ancient Roman road - Fosse | | | | right, provides much should the visitor encounter |
| Way, this town, as with many, owes its heritage | | | | a rainy day. The Art Gallery and Museum |
| to the wool trade. One of my favourite oddities is | | | | (Dedicated Status) houses the finest 'Arts and |
| 'Keith Harding's World of Mechanical Music' with its | | | | Crafts' movement items of fine furniture, |
| amazing assembly of music boxes, barrel organs, | | | | metalwork, of which many were inspired by |
| etc. | | | | famed local craftsman William Morris. There are |
| Bath is a delightful World Heritage City, over which | | | | also many collections of English and Chinese |
| I have waxed lyrical on many occasions and in | | | | pottery and porcelain and paintings by British and |
| many articles. Roman Spa baths and much, much | | | | Dutch masters from the past three centuries. |
| more. Grand, stately, yet vibrant. A true 'not to | | | | You may also choose to visit the birthplace and |
| be missed' city. | | | | childhood home of composer Gustav Holst ('The |
| Lechlade is an especially favourite town in | | | | Planets') and soak up the well preserved ambience |
| Gloucestershire, where the River Leach joins with | | | | of this Victorian home, packed with evocative |
| The Thames at its highest navigable point. From | | | | memorabilia of gracious times. Or maybe a little |
| 'Halfpenny Bridge' the trading longboats and barges | | | | retail therapy might fill the bill in the lively city |
| could (and still can) navigate downstream to | | | | centre. |
| London and beyond. | | | | There are a plenitude of glorious gardens to be |
| Witney this famed Oxfordshire town, standing on | | | | found and seen throughout The Cotswolds, not |
| the River Windrush, had its name resoundingly | | | | least: Hidcote Manor Garden near Chipping |
| built upon the eponymous woollen 'Witney' | | | | Campden, Snowshill Manor near Broadway, Abbey |
| blankets which epitomised the wealthy heritage of | | | | House gardens near Malmesbury, the flamboyant |
| The Cotswolds. | | | | Painswick Rococo Garden (enchanting), and |
| Chippenham this venerable Wiltshire market town | | | | Westonbirt Arboretum with its 17 miles of |
| is nowadays, to a degree, something of a | | | | pathways among 600 acres of trees, magnificent |
| commuter town, which in turn has enabled its | | | | in any season and which can be found near |
| unspoilt historical preservation. Just to sit beneath | | | | Tetbury, Gloucestershire. |
| the shelter of the Buttercross and absorb the | | | | Whatever your preference, you will agree that |
| sympathetically pedestrianised 'Shambles' shopping | | | | there's much to justify more than one visit to the |
| area is an absolute oasis; although on Fridays and | | | | glorious Cotswolds. |