Best Stow on the Wold, Costswold Travel Guide

Have you ever wanted to escape the city and find yourself browsing little streets with the picturesque houses made out of traditional Cotswold stone?

One of such places is Stow-on-the-wold. A delightful market town and along with Moreton in Marsh, perhaps the best known of the small Cotswolds towns. It is a perfect year – round destination with its blend of stunning scenery and honey – coloured surrounding villages.

Stow-on the-Wold is the highest of the Cotswold towns standing exposed on 800 feet high Stow Hill at a junction of seven major roads, including the Roman Fosse Way. It is an ideal destination for world – class food, festivals and events. At the height of the Cotswold wool industry the town was famous for its huge annual fairs where as many as 20,000 sheep were sold at one time.

The vast Market Square testifies to the towns former importance. At one end stands the ancient cross, and at the other the town stocks, shaded between an old elm tree. Around the square the visitor is faced with an elegant array of Cotswold traditional town houses and shops.

Stow-on – the- Wold shopping centre has many fine Antique shops, Art galleries, Gifts and Crafts and is a centre for Walking the Cotswolds countryside.

Things To Do

Cheltenham Combining cosmopolitan culture with an exceptional architectural heritage. One of the original holiday destinations in the UK, the spa town of Cheltenham boasts a historic guest list of greats; from royalty to writers, artists to politicians. Cheltenham, the jewel in Jump racing's crown, plays host to the best jumping action in the world from 350 spectacular acres in the lee of the beautiful Cotswold hills. The racing, the setting, the tradition and history, the shared sense of enjoyment all combine to give everyone, from those sampling our finest hospitality to the racegoers on the course, an experience they'll never forget. https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/?utm_source=local- cheltenham&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb There are so many way to explore the stunning Cotswold countryside: WALKING: Serious hikers will enjoy the challenge of the Cotswold Way or Thames Path national trails. There are hundreds of free, guided walks. CYCLING: You can arrive by car or by train. The Cotswold Line National Cycle Route offers a selection of rides, ranging from easy to challenging, starting and finishing

Model village The only grade II listed model village in the country. A one-ninth scale replica of the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water built in local Cotswold stone. Walk alongside the river Windrush and cross it’s miniature bridges. You can enjoy the miniature gardens complete with flowers and miniature trees. www.themodelvillage.com

Cotswolds House and Gardens – Stow on the Wold area

Pasture Farm – Upper Oddington, Moreton – in -Marsh, GL56 0XG Mr and Mrs John Lloyd. Icomb Gardens, Icomb, Sto – on -the-Wold, GL54 1JL. Daylesford House, Daylesford, GL56 0YG. Lord and Lady Bamford. Lower Slaughter, Cheltenham, GL54 2HP. Jane Moore, George Leonte. The Rockliffe, Upper Slaughter, Cheltenham, GL54 2JW. Mr and Mrs Keswick www.rockcliffegarden.co.uk Sezincote, Moreton – in-Marsh, GL56 9AW. Mrs D Peake. www.sezincote.co.uk Bourton House Garden, Bourton-on-the-Hill, GL56 9AE. Mr and Mrs R Quintus www.bourtonhouse.com Chastleton House and Gardens Discover the myths and memories of an ancient country house, a compelling time capsule of 400 years of family life https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chastleton-house www.cotswolds.com/gardens

General touristic information Tel: 0044 01451 870998 [email protected]

Cotswold Falcontry Centre Cotswold Falconry was opened in 1988 by Geoff & Naomi Dalton, with the aim of giving people a greater knowledge of birds of prey and an understanding of the ancient art of falconry. www.cotswold-falconry.co.uk

Gin and Whiskey tasting

Cotswolds distillery is the first full-scale distillery in the Cotswolds. They craft a range of single malt whiskies, gins and liqueurs, including the award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin and Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky. They opened our doors five years ago and have welcomed visitors to the site every day since, offering Tour & Tastings, Gin and Whisky Blending Masterclasses and Cocktail Masterclasses. https://www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/

Cotswold Archery Archery is true Olympic sport for the whole family www.cotswoldarchery.co.uk

Birdland and Jurassic Journey

Discover an amazing world of birds and their Jurassic ancestors on your day out in the Cotswolds.

Birdland is set in nine acres of gardens and woodland, creating a picturesque canopy for the winding River Windrush. Meet over 500 birds from magical owls, large cassowary and rare species such as the Waldrapp Ibis. Spot flamingos, pelicans, cranes and waterfowl that live in our riverside habitats with many more inhabiting over 50 aviaries. Meet England’s only breeding group of King Penguins and the comical Humboldts. Explore the Out of Africa area and meet hornbills, village weavers and many more amazing birds from across the continent. Venture into the woodland and meet life-sized dinosaurs lurking between the trees in the Jurassic Journey are www.birdland.co.uk

Where to stay

Church Suite Flat 2, Wesley House, Sheep Street Stow - on - the - wold GL54 1AA The converted Cotswolds church at the centre of Stow on the Wold offers luxurious en suite apartment. The property spreads over two floors and benefits from modern and stylishly furnished lounge with sofa bed, fully equipped kitchen, microwave, tea and coffee facilities. Feel free to bring your pet. https://www.shortstayengland.co.uk/services/

EATING OUT and TAKE AWAY Indian - Prince of India – www.princeofindia.co.uk tel: 01451 830099

Chinese – Jade garden - 01451 870288

Fish and Chips – Greedy’s - 01451 870821

Seafood Restaurant - The Old Butchers https://theoldbutchers.squarespace.com/menu tel: 01451831700 Dog friendly restaurant - https://www.thehivestow.co.uk/

SHOPPING

Majority of the shops in Stow-on-the-Wold are independently owned. Art galleries and little homeware stores, antique boutiques and fashion shops provide an excellent day out as a retail therapy.

https://www.stowonthewold.info/shopping.php

Some of the remarkable items and unique gifts can be found on the little streets with cute and picturesque stone houses.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186290-Activities-c26- Stow_on_the_Wold_Cotswolds_England.html TRAVEL to STOW-ON-THE-WOLD: Within 30 minutes drive of Stow-on-the-Wold are the attractions of Shakespeare's Stratford- upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace & Regency Cheltenham. The dreaming spires of Oxford are about 40 minutes away and the Georgian splendour of Bath is a little more than 1 hour by car.

Getting here by Car (Postcode for town centre: GL54 1AF) Coming from London and the South East - Take the M40 motorway towards Oxford and Birmingham. - Exit the M40 at Junction 8 onto the A40 for Oxford. - Follow the A40 around Oxford towards Cheltenham. - At the Burford roundabout take the A361 through Burford then the A424 towards Stow. - The A424 meets the A429 Fosse Way just south of Stow on the Wold, turn right at the traffic lights and climb the hill to Stow on the Wold.

Coming from the North - Take the M40 motorway towards Warwick and Oxford. - Exit the M40 at Junction 15 onto th the A429 for Cirencester and Stow. - Continue on the A429 Fosse Way for about 30 minutes, passing through Moreton-in-Marsh en-route until you reach Stow on the Wold.

Getting to Stow – on – the- Wold by Train You can catch a train to nearby Moreton-in-Marsh from London's Paddington Station. You can then travel the 4.5 miles to Stow-on-the-Wold by bus, taxi or cycle.