Chastleton House was closed today
Secret Cottage took a Cotswolds tour to Chastleton House today, but unfortunately it was closed for the filming of Wolf Hall and Bringing up the Bodies. Filming started yesterday and will continue until August the 6th. As an alternative, we took our tourists to The Rollright Stones which were nearby and our guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
However, we wanted to tell you something about the fabulous Chastleton House.
Chastleton House is a fine Jacobean country house built between 1607 and 1612 by a Welsh wool merchant called Walter Jones. The house is built from beautiful local Cotswold stone and is Grade I listed. It was built on the site of an older house by Robert Catesby who masterminded the gunpowder plot!
There are many unique features to Chastleton House; one of them being the longevity of the property within one family. In fact, until the National Trust took over the property in 1991, it had remained in the same family for around 400 years.
Unlike many tourist attractions, the National Trust have kept this house completely unspoilt – they are conserving it, rather than restoring it. They don’t even have a shop or tea room; giving you the opportunity to truly step back in time.
It’s almost like being in a living museum with a large number of the rooms open to the public that are still beautiful and untouched and have escaped the intrusion of being bought into the 21st century. A trip to Chastleton House brings history to life. This house has charm; there is no pretence with making walls perfect or fixing minor problems; expect to find gaps in the walls, cracks in the ceiling, uneven floors, dust and cobwebs in all their glory. It as if you are invited to spend the afternoon with the Jones family and you take them as you find them!
The house has a unique ‘Long Gallery’ – the only one surviving from this time period. The gallery is 72 feet and has a barrel vaulted ceiling. It also boasts a great chamber which was reserved for entertaining special guests.
Outdoors, there is a grade II listed garden with an orchard, kitchen garden, terraces, flower gardens, topiary, dovecote and pleasure garden.
Chastleton House stands in a stunning spot and you’re unlikely to pass it by accident. This is a place you need to seek out as it’s in such a secluded and peaceful location. And that’s why our visitors love our Cotswolds tour; because we take you to hidden and unspoilt places that few people know about!
The Four Shire Stone
As part of our Cotswold sightseeing, Secret Cottage tour stopped at The Four Shire Stone near Moreton-in-Marsh today. This is a nine foot high Cotswold Stone monument, used as a boundary marker, that defines the place where the four counties of Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire once met. Each face of the stone has the name of one of the counties on it.
The original stone is believed to have been put up in the late 16th century and there may even have been individual stones for each county prior to this; although the real history is still hazy and wrapped in mystery.
According to the book “Four Shire memories : history and reminiscences of villages round the Four Shire Stone, Gloucestershire”; legend has it that ancient battles took place near the site. In more recent times the site was reportedly treated as a meeting point for councils and later for ‘vagabonds, prize fighting and other illegal sports’ – it being easy to move into the adjoining shire if the constables of one county turned up!
The boundaries have changed over the years, but tourists on our tour are fascinated by the historical importance of this stone; which is listed as a historic monument.
Although there are several stones like this across the UK, the Four Shire Stone is special because it marks the ONLY point in Britain where four counties once met. During the 1930s the boundaries of these counties was reorganised and today, only three counties meet at the stone. It is believed the monument you see today was built in the 18th century and it is a grade II listed building.
This stone was believed to be the inspiration for Tolkien’s Three-Farthing Stone; which appeared in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Three-Farthing Stone was a central point in the Shire where three Farthings met.
Cotswolds. Little Wolford Village Fete
The other day we told you how our Cotswold day-trip had taken us through the picturesque village of Bledington. We mentioned it was a small village with a population of less than 400.
Today Secret Cottage took its Cotswolds tour to visit Little Wolford for a typical English Fete. This village is around 5 miles from Moreton in Marsh and has just over 90 residents!
There were plenty of locals and tourists queuing up for teas, cakes, games, plants, tombola, beer, BBQ, raffle and many more. The fete was quite small compared to others in the UK, but it still took a long time to tour around all the stands. It’s amazing what a small group of people can achieve when they put their minds to it!
Little Wolford is fortunate in that it is largely unspoilt and remains pretty much off the beaten track for tourists. Although it has expanded, the village has retained its Cotswold charm. It has a 15th century Manor and two working farmhouses and is rich in history; being referred to in the Domesday book. And this is why people love to take our Cotswolds tour – they get to find all the hidden secrets of this fabulous area…
Set high on the hill in farming countryside, you can enjoy stunning views of the Cotswolds all the way over to the Tower on Broadway Hill. It is said that on a clear day you can see 16 counties From Broadway Tower!
Despite being short on population, the community are active and engaged with one another. Little Wolford village hall hosts an annual auction, sponsored walk, coffee mornings, a harvest supper and jumble sales throughout the year. A library van calls to the village fortnightly and there is a parish meeting of which all local government electors are members and which meets twice a year. Not to mention the fantastic fete which we enjoyed!
As public transport is so sparse (one bus per week to Moreton market and two buses per day to Stratford or Oxford), residents are served by a voluntary car scheme or ‘lift sharing’ where journeys to hospital or the doctors can be made in exchange for a contribution towards costs. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbours and spend some time together.
The residents of Little Wolford really show us how community living is still thriving in some of the smaller and more rural areas of the UK.
Picturesque stream running through the village green at Bledington
Four miles south-east of Stow-On-The-Wold is the pretty village of Bledington. With a population of around 500 the village won the Community Category in 2004 Gloucestershire village of the year.
And the reasons were pretty spectacular!
Judges said “Its ability to run a large number of community events, ranging from the annual village fete to two flower shows and a music festival is impressive – as is the range of activities which take place in the village hall.”
Today, the temperature was extremely hot. We drove through the green at Bledington on our Cotswold day-trip. There were tourists everywhere and I took this picture of the stream.
The stream (complete with resident ducks!) runs through Bledington, and the village has a beautiful wide green; complete with Victorian maypole, making it a popular spot with tourists. You’ll notice signs on the side of the road warning motorists of “ducks crossing”!
From the green, Church Road takes you past a row of Cotswold stone cottages to the Norman St Leonard’s, Church; dating from 1170. The church is believed to be built on the remains of a Saxon chapel. This church is one of around 170 in England dedicated to St Leonard, a 6th century French bishop.
Bledington has a good range of amenities including The King’s Head Inn – a 15th century building awarded Dining Pub of the Year in 2001, and which acts as the village Post Office – as well as an outstanding primary school.
The annual Bledington Music Festival was established in 2000 and takes place over three evenings every June. It attracts top performers from around the world such as The Cann Twins, Sasha Grynyuk and Mark Bebbington. Each year they endeavour to get the local children enthusiastic about the music and the performers through their educational programme. The children benefit from special ‘mini concerts’ and the opportunity to play and explore music themselves.
When winning the Community Award, judges also said ” We were also impressed with the provision the village makes for older people through the local church’s Care Committee and with the fact that it supports a village shop.” The Bledington area is rich in Morris Dancing history. In fact, the last time I was here in May, the Morris Dancers were on tour and were performing in front of the pub! You never know what you might experience on your Cotswold day-trip! Hidcote Manor Garden
Hidcote Manor Garden is near Chipping Campden, which we wrote about recently after we’d visited the market hall on a recent Cotswolds day trip.
You’ve probably heard of Hidcote as it’s one of the most well known Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain. It’s described as one of the greatest gardens in England created this century and we sometimes drive past on our Cotswold driving tour.
The gardens have a fascinating history. They were developed over the space of 40 years by American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston in the early 1900s and are now owned by the National Trust. Hidcote was the first garden ever taken on by the National Trust.
Johnston is reported to be an enigmatic genius. He was secretive, reclusive and self taught and kept few records about his transformation of the gardens. Yet his meticiulous and unique work has inspired designers all over the world.
The gardens are set out in various ‘rooms’ each with their own unique characteristics and surprises. The ‘rooms’ are separated by Yew, holly and beech hedges as well as walls . You’ll discover secret gardens, explosions of colour and quiet places to sit and reflect.
Whether you visit in spring or autumn the colours are spectacular, formed by rare shrubs and trees, herbaceous borders and unusual plants from around the world. The secret of the gardens appeal lies in the outstanding design feature with plants that bloom at different times of the year, ensuring the gardens are a year-round pleasure.
Will it be the large circular pool, edged with white roses, the centrally located gazebo, an avenue of majestic beeches or the fuchsia room that captivates your imagination? If you want to get more hands on, you can enjoy painting days, pick the brains of some of the leading UK gardeners or even have gardening lessons.
Chipping Campden Market Hall in the sunny Cotswolds
Chipping Campden is a beautiful, small town and we sometimes take visitors there as part of their Cotswolds day trip.
Did you know that “Chipping” means ‘market place’?
It should come as no surprise to learn then, that Chipping Campden is a market town! Right in the centre of the town is this fantastic market hall which we visited today.
Built in 1627 the market hall stands in the centre of the high street. It was built by Sir Baptist Hicks to provide shelter to traders and is still used today. The National Trust now own and maintain the building which is considered to be one of the most important buildings in the area. Standing there you can imagine the market alive with the hustle and bustle of the traders from 400 years ago.
Chipping Campden is seeped in history. The town is flanked by hills that were discovered to be perfect for keeping sheep and Cotswold wool soon became known as some of the best in Europe. Following from this accolade, Chipping Campden became a major centre of the wool trade.
Some wonderful, traditional events take place in this town. Every year, on the Friday after the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend the town has hosts its own ‘Cotswold Olimpick Games.’ This has taken place since the early seventeenth century and it’s the place to go if you want to see shin kicking. Competitors are allowed to protect their shins with straw you’ll be pleased to hear… (And don’t worry, we promise there’s no shin kicking involved on your Cotswolds day trip with us!) The Olimpick Games are held on Dover Hill and finish with a dizzying display of Morris Men, Maypole Dancing and a procession through the town.
In 2002, Chipping Campden held its first music festival. It was so successful that it has grown year on year and is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading festivals. We welcome visitors from all over the UK, Europe, the US and even Australia. It’s hardly surprising that the musicians and visitors love coming back here to one of the most beautiful Cotswold towns.
As well as music, Chipping Campden is known as a centre for the Cotswold Arts and Crafts Movement. Strolling through the town you’ll find the work of artists and craftspeople in galleries and craft shops dotted around. Whether you’re after jewellery, pottery or sculpture you’ll find something to delight you.
Article for Secret Cottage in Explore Gloucestershire
Announcing a completely unique tour in the North Cotswolds
“Explore Gloucestershire” is a great online resource for finding out about local leisure, recreation and events.
Recently, they covered the Secret Cottage Cotswold Day Trip on their site, encouraging visitors and locals to book a place.
Here’s what they said:
Fancy a day out in the Cotswolds with a difference?
Secret Cottage – Cotswold Tourism Tours, is a new experience offering an all year round opportunity to explore the Cotswolds.
The unique North Cotswold day trip lasts six hours and takes you to Secret Cottage for coffee, lunch and cream tea. During the day their expert guide Becky, will show you lots of hidden villages and beautiful Cotswold locations.
Based at the charming and very quintessential Cotswolds Secret Cottage, you’ll be able to see how the family live in the North Cotswolds, and join them for coffee, lunch and a traditional cream tea. During the day Becky and Co will take you to many hidden villages that tourists rarely find. Experience sitting by real log fires and watch your scones being made and baked in the Aga. Enjoy the atmosphere of the heavily beamed 400 year old cottage with it’s elm floors and staircases.
You’ll not forget your tour which is packed with plenty of surprises. The Secret Cottage team will pick you up at Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station at 10.15 and drop you back at 16.30. The cost for this special Cotswold treat is £85 per person.
The Cotswolds are popular all year round, so whether Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter, this is a must-do experience to take advantage of if you are local to the area or visiting the Cotswolds.
For further information.
Contact phone : 01608 674 700 Also see : Secret Cottage
Editorial in the Worcester News
New bespoke Cotswold bus tour launches
Freya from The Worcester News gave our Cotswold bus tour some great coverage this week!
The newspaper covers Worcestershire, Herefordshire, West Midlands, Gloucestershire and Shropshire.
Here’s what Freya Wrote…
VISITORS to the Cotswolds can get a special insight into the area’s unique charms and explore some of its hidden gems with the launch of a new bespoke bus tour.
Tour guide Becky Simpson, who has lived in the Cotswolds for more than 20 years, is hosting the new “Secret Cottage” tours, which take groups around some of the lesser-known villages in the area.
Tourists are picked up from Moreton station and taken to a 16th century cottage in a village nearby – the location of which is a closely-guarded secret .
There, they will serve morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea between three tours within an eight-mile radius of the town.
The 51-year-old said she decided to open her home to tourists so they could see what life is like in a real-life Cotswold cottage, something people would normally see just from the outside.
“It’s such a picturesque village and it’s a ridiculously pretty and quaint cottage,”she said.
“We want them to have the experience of being in a cottage for the day and re-lax and just go out on tours throughout the day while being based here.”
The mother-of-two, who has previously worked in catering in London, said she wanted visitors to enjoy undiscovered places that she has got to know during her time living in the area.
She hopes to offer visitors a taste of the area they may otherwise have missed out on.
“There are going to be places they don’t know about,” she said.
“There are some villages off the beaten track, they will really see some special places. “I’ve travelled throughout the world and know what it’s like to get home to discover you’ve missed an amazing secret because you weren’t familiar with the area.
“We’re going to try and pick out the real gems that perhaps they don’t go to. It’s a tour with a difference.”
Another happy tourist in Snowshill
High on the Cotswold hills overlooking Broadway is the Cotswold Lavender Farm and today – as part of our Cotswold Tour – we stopped to take a look.
This position is perfect for lavender as it thrives in the free draining limestone soil.
The sun was out almost all day and so were the tourists; this young lady was clearly overwhelmed by the stunning scenery.
We were happy to snap our happy Cotswold tourist on camera!
There are so many different types of Lavender; this farm grow over 35 different varieties. English Lavender is the most popular and likes a sunny open location in which to grow and is naturally pest resistant.
Tourists were queuing in the shop, the car park was full and many were taking a tour around the fields; admiring row after row of beautiful Cotswold Lavender.
The farm sell a wonderful range of British made products from their lavender including bath and shower products, scents for your home and fantastic gifts,
Our mystery Cotswold tourist went home happy and full of memories of dancing through the fields of lavender!
And that’s why we love doing what we do…
People take our tour to discover hidden and secret picturesque villages, they want to be catered for and pampered and they want to take in the breathtaking English countryside without the hassle of driving.
Although we welcome tourists from all over the world including America and Japan, even locals love to take the Secret Cottage tour.
How many times have you been dying to take a peek inside someone’s thatched cottage? Perhaps you’re curious about huge inglenook fireplaces. Or maybe you’ve never seen an AGA working before.
On your Secret Cottage tour you’ll get to experience all this and more.
We’d love to put a smile on your face and name you our happy Cotswold Tourist of the day! Media coverage for Secret Cottage Tour
Last week I told you about the fantastic coverage the Secret Cottage Tour received in the Cotswold Journal.
If you missed it, or don’t have access to the journal, you can see how it looked at the bottom of this page.
Freya wrote “VISITORS to the Cotswolds can get a special insight into the area’s unique charms and explore some of its hidden gems with the launch of a new bespoke bus tour.”
She went on to mention that we take our Cotswold tourists around some of the lesser-known villages in the area.
And we really do!
Check out some of the stunning images from our tour inour gallery and on our Pinterest boards. We add images daily so you can follow the seasons around this picturesque part of England.
Although you could be forgiven for thinking we only get booking from the tourism trade, we have plenty of locals who love the tour too!
They don’t have to drive down narrow, winding lanes; they can discover places they might now have known about (or can miss when driving) AND we serve delicious food throughout the day; so they can treat themselves and fully relax.
What a great way to unwind.
We’re fully booked for a few weeks, but get in touch for a late summer tour!