Sunday, March 31, 2019

England: Goodbye, Cotswolds!

The last leg of our Cotswold Tour took us to three towns, the first of which was the charming Stow-on-the-Wold.


Stow means resting place and Wold means unforested, rolling countryside. It is the highest point in the Cotswolds and like the other towns we visited, a market town that was once dependent on sheep. Kate Winslet is one of the more well known actors who call Stow-on-the-Wold home.


One factor I found particularly interesting here were the extremely narrow alleys. One could stand in the middle, both arms out to the side and touch the walls.


These were designed so that farmers could herd their sheep to market. Because the alleys were so narrow the sheep could go only one by one and it made it easier to count them.


This was our lunch stop. I picked Huffkins Tea Room for a "Burford Tea."


This consisted of a scone, an egg mayo sandwich and tea.


There was time to wander about a bit too. I found a thrift shop and bought a couple of very pretty scarves!


Stow-on-the-Wold was the site of an uprising between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians in 1646 and Colin happily told us that the streets were "rivers of blood."


This will go down as the town where Jeanie became a bad blogger. I thought I had plenty on my camera battery -- I didn't. So the next two towns remain relatively unrecorded.


The first of those is Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" it is set on a large canal with loads of pretty bridges.


It was a lovely town. I wish I'd had time to do a little more exploring!


Especially this...pretty cute entry to a motoring museum!


Back on the bus and through some more beautiful countryside. I wonder if anything is more lovely than England in autumn.


Our next stop was Tetbury. A "bury" is a fortress and Tet was wither the name of the sister of the King of Wessex back inthe day or the Celtic word for space. The town has a large Market Cross in the center which was very big for the wool industry from the 16th century until the indistry declined in the 18th century. Markets, however, are still held here.


Prince Charles has his home, Highgrove, at Tetbury and we drove by it. The gates were very low key. Apparently the gardens are open for tours in the summer. Maybe next time! But we did stop at the Highgrove shop, which sells items produced by those in the Duchy of Cornwall. There were loads of very beautiful items. Priced for a prince! (I have to admit, I found Charles' watercolors quite appealing but out of my budget range!)  I also found a fun antique store and though I didn't buy anything it was fun to see different types of items than what we see here.


We also passed by Badminton House, a noted residence of the Duke of Beaufort and a hunting pal of Charles and Camilla. The property is known for the Badminton Horse Trials and associated with fox hunting. The Beaufort Hunt is considered one of the most famous hunts in the UK. Although foxes are no longer hunted, pheasant shoots continue.


The it was back to Bath. By this time, we all felt like old friends and were delighted with our tour, the sights and our purchases. It was fun to just sit back and watch the lovely scenery roll by.



And after a short walk to the station from the Abbey Hotel, where the day had started, I caught the bus home and climbed up our little hill. Rick had been on a cycle ride that day and we shared stories over a bottle of wine carted around since Paris and some wonderful pasta.


Yes, all the way from France!


I can't say enough how delighted our tour group was with Mad Max Tours and particularly with Colin, our driver. No financial compensation for me here, but I would recommend them to future travelers who are staying a bit in Bath.


Next time we'll hit one of the most well known attractions in Bath and for my money, one of the best values!

48 comments:

Carol said...

All of your traveling makes me what to go to England and see the beautiful country too.

Lynne said...

Lovely pictures of your travel through the trees, roads.
Beautiful colors, more green I think than we see here, in autumn.

Interesting, the narrow alley ways . . . would certainly keep the sheep on the path!

Sounds like your Colin, Mad Max Travels, was perfect.
Great choice the bus tour was to give you a break from walking.
Plus, I would enjoy the meeting of other tourists too.

Love your travel posts . . . time for another trip . . .

Miss Val's Creations said...

These towns could not be any more picturesque. I love that you purchased vintage scarves. Those souvenirs will bring back such fond memories every time you wear them! Colin sounds amazing! A perfect tour guide makes all the difference.

La Table De Nana said...

Glad you had such an interesting and varied trip..The Cotswolds were my favorite!

Mae Travels said...

Camera batteries are so easy to forget about -- it's hard to believe that we once were limited to 24 or 36 "exposures" per film roll! And now -- the limit is in the hundreds.

Beautiful scenes from your trip, anyway. I love those tiered serving plates they use in tea shops all over England.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Iris Flavia said...

I miss left hand driving!
Weee... that is narrow indeed, clever, though.

Oh nooo. Ingo always has a spare, and I nearly always have this Ingo, so there is always a cam ready to shoot.
Bummer, so sad.

Always try to take your time, you have but one life...


A lovely bottle that is.And the company! :-)

Oh,I didn't like Mad Max but we stayed over night at the place where one scene was filmed (moon desert, Australia, near Oodnadatta, yes names like that, huh ;-)...).

Can you post now? I'm curious!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is quite apparent, Jeanie, that the next time you visit Britain you will have to plan a week or two in the Cotswolds and really get to know this wonderful region of that "green and pleasant land." As far as your camera battery woes are concerned, having done this a few times, Miriam made little pouches that attach to the camera strap and we always carry a spare battery and a spare memory card with us. If you visit this area you can tell who our friends are by the little pouches on their cameras! I assume that you ate your pasta in a restaurant and it was pretty decent of them to let you bring your own wine.

Sami said...

Loved the photos of the "Venice of the Cotswolds" and the "green" Mini at the Motoring Museum is very cute.

I still remember on our first trip to London, when we still used film, I took loads of photos and eventually my husband asked how many photos I already had and it was something like 50, when the film was only for 24!! Needless to say, the following day we both rushed around the main monuments taking over those photos, lol.

Now I carry a spare battery and card just in case.
Lovely tour Jeanie.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

What a wonderful experience - the old buildings, I'm so enjoying this photographic journey, Fun fact about the sheep!

The Venice of the Cotsolds! Gorgeous and so quaint.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, what a charming place. I love the buildings, canal and the views of the back roads. The tea looks fabulous and the pasta meal looks yummy. I can picture the sheep going through those little alleys. I have wanted to kick myself for forgetting an extra battery. I enjoyed your post and the beautiful photos. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and new week ahead.

bobbie said...

I want to live in a houseboat on that canal!! Again ~ great pix ~
Bye, bye, Cotswolds!

Pamela said...

Gorgeous photos! What a wonderful trip.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I've been so envious throughout this journey and I know it will end soon. Another goodie!

Olka said...

Wow, this thin alley is really awesome! And it's nice to know why it was built so small, I had no idea that it's because of the sheep herd :D

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely photos, I sometimes miss England. How is Rick's leg doing? Hugs, Valerie

BB said...

Those pics on the canal in Bourton-on-the-Water are beautiful. I wish I could just walk right into the photo... or swim. :) That very first pic in Stow-on-the-World is something, too.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Traveling England with your and Rick is wonderful. I love hearing the quaint names of places so familiar to those of us who are/were hooked on reading Victorian and Regency romance novels.

William Kendall said...

The canal waterway is a pleasant sight to see.

DUTA said...

The green covered car indicating the way to a motoring museum - is quite an attraction! Narrow alleys can be seen in many places, and I always get impressed by them.

Regina said...

Now I really want to go to England for tea!

My name is Erika. said...

I think your driver took you on a fantastic tour of this pretty area. So pretty, more than I knew. I don't think it's terrible you missed too many photos because I think we got the gist of it. Happy new week Jeanie.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Lovely scenery down that way!

I love a good thrift shop :)

I've run out of camera battery before now... Usually I'll start taking photos with my phone then.

thepaintedapron.com said...

I have learned so much about history from your travel posts Jeanie, I love all the different experiences and sights you and Rick had during your trip...beautiful photos...
Jenna

Joanne Huffman said...

Obviously, a good time was had by all.

Lowcarb team member said...

This really is a fabulous tour.
I love your photographs Jeanie, such a pleasure and delight to see.

All the best Jan

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful photographs and memories! I could certainly enjoy a cup of tea and a scone right now (though it is past tea time!) xo

Marilyn Miller said...

I do believe I have been to two of the three places in this post. In the market place of one of the towns in the Cotswold's we found a shop down below the street in a small room. It was full of gorgeous antiques and linens. I came home with several tea cozies. This tour sounds just lovely and I would definitely use them if I made it back there.

Joyful said...

Absolutely beautiful little villages. So lush, green and peaceful looking.

Hena Tayeb said...

Looks beautiful.. so many wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
We are thinking of going to England and Scotland this summer.. and I'll add the Cotswold to the list.

http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, I loved the small villages, each one so quaint and beautiful! I am so glad you had a wonderful experience with your tour. We have always had great experiences with local tours! Looking forward to your next post!

BeachGypsy said...

your tour guide looks like bunches of fun!! Loved all the pictures and especially the supper table one, yum! That alley looks pretty much identical to some we walk here in Charleston! I hope you show us the scarves you bought?

Sandy K. said...

So beautiful...idyllic. Thank you for sharing your journey.

The French Hutch said...

What a wonderful way to spend your day while Rick was cycling. I am enjoying all your photos and I know all to well how disappointing it is for your camera's battery to die! Fall is such a beautiful season for traveling, the colors are breathtaking there. Tea looks lovely. So much fun to experience the culture of other countries........

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm really, really, really loving your travels through the countryside of England. There is something so peaceful and serene here. It's a beautiful area, I agree. However, I wouldn't be all that interested in Charles at all, nor where he lives with his wife. However, the rest of your travels through the Cotswolds was wonderful.

shoreacres said...

I feel your pain regarding the battery. I always have at least two with me in addition to the one in my camera, and sometimes I carry a total of four. My greatest trauma has been leaving home without a card in the camera. I've only done it twice, but in both instances it was solvable: once I found a store in which I could purchase one, and once I was close enough to home that a trip back to get the card was reasonable.

Still, you did a fine job with limited resources! You've certainly given me a new appreciation for England in autumn.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

That tour sounded perfect! The driver/guide definitely makes or breaks the experience so I am glad you got a good driver/guide! He looks like quite the character! I wasn't very familiar with this part of England but your posts/photos makes me want to visit this area!

Sandra said...

What a wonderful place out of time.
Interesting about the alleys and the sheep.

Cheryl Lawson said...

Hi Jeanie, DH and I loved Stow-on-the-Wold! Your posts are bringing back so many happy memories for me! Hugs, Your fellow Anglophile, Cheryl

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

So beautiful - like scenes from a movie. And love the story behind the narrow alleys. I had to smile because my puppy Hudson's favorite Squirrel TV video on YouTube is titled "Nature in the Cotswolds" or something like that.

Pam said...

HAHA...more food! I love to see what you will be eating next! Great pics. Love the greenery car.

Susan Kane said...

Such beauty! It is hard to look at the restored and maintained village and realize that the streets ran with blood. History changes perspective of such a place.

Tracy said...

The Cotswolds... *sigh*... just sooo BEAUTIFUL! This is an area of the UK we'd like to explore much more. There's just pretty little towns at every turn. Sooo loved these posts and catching up with you, Jeanie! Can't wait to see your time in Bath! :) ((HUGS))

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Ahh another fabulous day! I enjoyed seeing the images and imagining myself there too.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Thanks so much for sopping by!!
Again, fantastic photos of a fantastic place!! Wishing Rick Good Luck with his surgery...
I know I may have asked you before but what kind of camera do you have????
Hugs,
Deb

Anca said...

Aww, Tetbury, I loved that place. Like you, I liked Prince Charles watercolours as well, but they are a bit pricey. I did buy some bits, like a couple of books and a small vase.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

We stopped in Bourton-on-the-Water last year and you are right, it is a charming little town. We did go through the motor museum and my husband is a huge car fan.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, I have certainly enjoyed your whole British tour but I have to say that my favorite is the Cotswolds. Such quaintness abounds!..xxoJudy

Jenny Woolf said...

What a lovely tour it sounds. Good that you recommended it - people who do a good job deserve publicity! It sounds as if it was quite a cosy experience to return to the pasta and wine in your little hideaway too!

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