Place of interest to visit
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PX
T: 08700 60 20 80 www.blenheimpalace.com
Open March to end October
Home of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. This magnificent palace is located on the outskirts of the small town of Woodstock on the A44 road approximately 20 minutes from Oxford. Designated a World Heritage site – one of the great buildings of the World with a superb art collection. Extensive ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped Park. The Marlborough Maze – the worlds largest symbolic hedge maze. Allow at least a good half day for visiting. History of Blenheim Palace.
Broughton Castle
T: 01295 276070 www.broughtoncastle.com
Open 30 April to 15 September
“About the most beautiful castle in all England … for sheer loveliness of the combination of water, woods and picturesque buildings.”
A generous tribute from historian Sir Charles Oman in 1898, and one continued by the noted diarist James Lees-Milne in a 1989, “It is still the most romantic house imaginable. English to the core, as Henry James says. – Perfection, what with moat, gatehouse, church, and gorgeous orange and buff stone”. A more recent accolade came in 2003 in England’s Thousand Best Houses by Sir Simon Jenkins. The author gives only twenty of the thousand houses five stars and Broughton Castle is proud to be one of them.
Chastleton House
T: 01608 674355 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Open 4 Apr to 3 Nov
Chastleton House is one of England’s finest and most complete Jacobean houses and competed in 1612. The same family occupied the house for nearly 400 years with little or no modernisation taking place. The rules for the game of Croquet were written here. Since aquiring the property the National Trust has concentrated on conserving it rather than restoring it to pristine condition. Located near the village of Chastleton a few miles from Moreton-in-Marsh off the A44.
Chedworth Roman Villa
T: 01242 890256 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Open March to October
The remains of one of the largest Roman Villas in the country and set in a wooded Cotswold Combe. Over 1 mile of walls survive and there are several fine mosaics, two bathhouses, hypocausts, a water-shrine and latrine. Excavated in 1864, the site still has a victorian feel to it and the site museum houses objects from the villa. A 15 minute audiovisual presentation gives visitors an insight into the history of this fascinating place. Located at Yanworth, near Cheltenham.
Rollright Stones
Open all year
There are many prehistoric remains in the Cotswolds but the most impressive is probably the Rollright stones. Situated high on an exposed ridge, this is England's third most important stone circle after Stonehenge and Avebury and is thought to be about 3500 years old. There are many legends and superstitions associated with the stones, which are made even more atmospheric by their bleak and elevated position. Located off the A44 between. They say you cannot count the same number of stones in the circle more than once.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
T: 01789 201806 www.shakespeare.org.uk
Open all year
Shakespear's birthplace and exibition at Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Mary Arden's house (mother) is at Wilmcote, 3 miles from Stratford. Ann Hatheway's (wife) cottage is at Shottery, 1 mile from Stratford. Susanna's (daughter) house is Hall's Croft located in the old part of Stratford. Nash's House (grand-daughter) and New Place (next door) where Shakespeare spent his last years are located on Chapel Street. Shakespeare is laid to rest in the Holy Trinity church in Stratford.
Sudeley Castle Gardens & Exhibitions
T: 01242 602308 www.sudeleycastle.co.uk
Open 31 March to 28 October
Once the property of King Ethelred the Unready, later home of Queen Katherine Parr and garison headquarters of Prince Rupert during the Civil War. The Castle Apartments are open on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and on a tour only basis, please call for more details. Located in Winchcombe off the B4632.
Batsford Arboretum
T: 01386 701441 www.batsford-arboretum.co.uk
Open daily (closed Wednesdays in Decemeber)
55 acres of Parkland overlooking the Evenlode Valley containing over 1500 species of trees. In spring displays of flowering bulbs, wild flowers, and magnolias. Located on the outskirts of the village of Batsford near Moreton-in-Marsh
Surrounding a delightful 18th century Cotswold Manor House (not open), this 3 acre garden brims with ideas.
Hidcote Manor Gardens
T: 01386 438333 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Open April to October
This garden is internationally renowned and is a series of smaller gardens each with its own theme. One of the most inventive and influential gardens of the 20th century. Located near the village of Hidcote Bartrim not far from Chipping Campden.
Mill Dene
T: 01386 700457 www.milldene.co.uk
Open 1 April to 31 October
Set in 2.5 acres of Cotswold countryside this water-mill garden has been designed and planted in English country style. Steep terraces rise from the mill-pool, stream, and grotto. Paths wander through the rose walk and there is a potager and fantasy fruit garden. Located in the village of Blockley, near Chipping Campden.
Sources of information about the Cotswolds
Cotswold District Council
Tourist Information Centres in the Cotswolds
Bourton-on-the Water
T: 01451 820211
Email
Cheltenham
T: 01242 522878
Email
Cirencester
T: 01285 654180
Email
Gloucester
T: 01452 396572
Email
Nailsworth
T: 01453 839222
Stroud
T: 01453 760960
Email
Stow-on-the-Wold
T: 01451 831082
Email
Tetbury
T: 01666 503552
Email
Tewkesbury
T: 01684 295027
Email
Winchcombe
T: 01242 602925