Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE
COTSWOLDS
by Stephen Keeling
11
Between Oxford and the River Severn, the pastoral
Cotswolds comprise a stretch of rolling limestone
hills, steep escarpments, and meandering streams.
Some of England's most ravishing villages dot this bucolic
region, made rich from the medieval wool trade and distinctively built of
honey-brown Cotswold stone.
SIGHTSEEING Witheringly beautiful villages such as Bibury, Pains-
wick, Broadway, and Chipping Campden are likely to be your most
endearing memories of the region. Eating at medieval inns, soaking up the
picture-perfect scenery, and wandering the narrow lanes—before the
crowds arrive—is at the heart of the Cotswold experience. There are
plenty of traditional sights, of course: Gloucester is home to a handsome
cathedral; Cheltenham is a sophisticated spa town; and Sudeley Castle
provides some historical glamor.
EATING & DRINKING When it comes to food, the Cotswolds is all
about fresh, locally grown produce. You'll find farmers' markets and
organic farm shops, like the one near Cirencester, throughout the region,
and organic meat and vegetables are served at numerous restaurants. You
can buy fresh fish at trout farms, like those at Bibury and Donnington.
Cheltenham is the gastronomic capital of the region, with a host of styl-
ish and acclaimed restaurants led by Le Champignon Sauvage.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES The lesser-traveled roads of the Cotswolds
make tempting targets for cyclists, and there are plenty of rental shops
and specialist cycle tour companies to help. Another enticing outlet
for healthy activity is the Cotswold Way, a 100-mile trail that cuts across
the most seductive of the region's landscapes, towns, and mercifully, his-
toric pubs.
ARTS & CULTURE Cheltenham is also the region's art and culture
hub, celebrated for its roster of festivals that cover everything from
folk, jazz, and classical music to literature. Elsewhere, the 19th-century
Arts and Crafts Movement has a shrine in the form of Kelmscott
Manor, the home of William Morris, while the New Brewery Arts cen-
ter in Cirencester harbors 12 contemporary artists who craft all manner
of goods for sale.
 
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