South Cotswolds & Vale of Severn Official Visitors Guide 2009 Tourist Information THORNBURY TIC The Town Hall, High Street, Thornbury (01454) 281638 [email protected] CHIPPING SODBURY TIC, The Clock Tower, High Street, Chipping Sodbury (01454) 888686 WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE Information Point Heritage Centre, The Chipping, Wotton-under-Edge (01454) 521541 Your guide TETBURY Tourist Information 33 Church Street, Tetbury GL8 8JG (01666) 503552 BRISTOL TIC Explore at Bristol, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB (0845) 408 0474 www.visitbristol.co.uk NAILSWORTH TIC 4 The Old George, Fountain Street, Nailsworth GL6 0BL 01453 839222 www.nailsworthtown.co.uk DURSLEY Information www.dursleytowncouncil.gov.uk email: [email protected] to the South Cotswolds & 4 Vale of Severn s a base for a weekend break or longer, the Severn Vale and South Cotswolds could hardly be Abetter placed. With easy access from both the M4 and M5, and with good rail links from Bristol, the area is ideally situated for a variety of day trips. The international city of Bristol with its exciting Harbour side development, and the graceful curves of Bath’s regency crescents offer chic shopping, theatres, and first class 6 restaurants and bars. The Mall at Cribbs Causeway and the new Cabot Circus in Bristol offer spectacular shopping experiences. The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean provide ideal territory for quiet rambles and picnics, as do the Severn Way and the Cotswold Way which mark the west and east boundaries of this area. Best of all, the area offers unsung treats right on the doorstep, such as unspoiled market towns, secretive Cotswold stone villages and delectable cream teas. 9 Contents Area Map 2 10 Co-ordinators: Antony Merritt 01454 864950 Sandra Richardson 01454 412103. Proud Heritage 4-5 Advertising: Pauline Bentley 0118 926 9120 Photography: Thank you to The Ordnance Survey map included within this publication is provided by South Gloucestershire Council under licence the many contributors, in from the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfil its public function to promote tourism in South Gloucestershire. Persons particular Allan Burberry, Vibrant Communities 6-7 viewing this map should contact Ordnance Survey Copyright for advice where they wish to licence Ordnance Survey South Glos. Council and maps for their own use. Whilst every effort has been made to provide accurate information, South Gloucestershire Thornbury Camera Club. Council, Thornbury Town Council and the publishers can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. [email protected] Walking & Cycling 8-9 Copies of this brochure are available from Thornbury T.I.C. Tel: 01454 281638 Activities & Attractions 10-12 Designed, published and produced for the South Gloucestershire Tourism Association and South ADVANCE Gloucestershire Council by Advance Publications, Days Out 15 PUBLICATIONS PO Box 236, 1 Earley Gate, Whiteknights Rd, Reading RG6 6AT Tel: 0118 926 9120. Fax: 0118 926 9121. [email protected] www.advancepublications.co.uk 15 PAGE 2 Visitor Guide 2009 Visitor Guide 2009 PAGE 3 ProudProud heritageheritage withinwithin thethe heartheart ofof ruralrural beautybeauty ‘Heritage’ can invoke thoughts of In the 18th century, William Now owned by The National Trust, impressive buildings, wealth and power, Champion’s Brass Works at Warmley Dyrham Park ‘starred’ as a setting for royalty and historic figures, landscaped brought local prosperity by making, the 1993 Merchant Ivory film The country escapes and past events, among other things, brass pins. Remains of the Day. discoveries or inventions that changed However, if you want a real flavour of For many, Dyrham’s backdrop of the world in their time. The South South Gloucestershire’s heritage – you Dutch Masters, sumptuous rooms and Cotswolds and Vale of Severn is a need look no further than its industrial furnishings, formal garden and deer stronghold of the nation’s heritage. heritage. roaming its 263 parkland acres, quietly Arguably, Berkeley Castle epitomises Coal-mining was a major employer ‘stole the show’. ‘heritage’. From its sumptuous upper and the area is scarred with reminders. Another National Trust property, floors to its spooky dungeons, Berkeley For example Coalpit Heath near Yate Newark Park, also rose to ‘stardom’ Castle close to the banks of the Severn and The Dramway coal hauling route when it was recently featured in 'Tess is permeated by ‘heritage’. to the Avon. of the D'Urbevilles'. An unusual and Since the 12th century, the castle has Local coal fired the furnaces of the fashionable Georgian home inside an seen battles, royal visits, political period but religious zeal also fired atmospheric Tudor hunting Lodge with Berkeley Castle epitomises ‘heritage’ intrigue and death within its walls – many workers’ hearts. an eclectic art collection. There is a not least the murder of Edward II in wild romantic garden perfect for walks 1327. Newark Park with uninterrupted views towards the Owlpen Manor Acton Court The castle’s public rooms, full of rare Mendips. and opulent furnishings from bygone Like Dyrham, the beautifully eras, reflect the wealth of the Berkeley conserved Tudor building that is Acton family who managed the estate over Court, at Iron Acton, offers a rare the centuries. Local craftsmen built a example of 16th century royal state saddleback ceiling in the Great Hall in apartments – a wing of the house was the 14th century. built for Henry VIII who stayed there The Berkeleys also had far reaching with Anne Boleyn in 1535. By virtue of power and influence. The castle bears age, Acton Court, or Owlpen Manor their name but so does Katherine Lady The abundance of chapels in the near Dursley can claim greater Berkeley School in Wotton-under-Edge, evidence the conversion work of ‘heritage’ than Dyrham Park. Berkeley Square in London, and Methodist preachers George Whitfield Owlpen estate is steeped in 900 Berkeley University in America. and John Wesley. years of history, also has an industrial No visit to Berkeley Castle would be John Wesley preached in the heritage. It is owned by Sir Nicholas complete without a stroll through its Kingswood area in the 1730s and and Lady Mander, whose ancestors terraced Elizabethan gardens and a trip particularly at Hanham Mount which is produced world-famous paints, to its butterfly farm. now a Methodist Heritage site. varnishes and inks. While there, pop into the Jenner During the 19th century, Brunel’s Nestling in a picturesque wooded Jenner Museum Museum, set in the 18th century home innovations - not least the Great valley this Tudor manor was last year of medical researcher Dr Edward Western Railway – helped one of six finalists in Country Life and Jenner, who discovered the smallpox transportation and brought more Savills’ search for ‘’England’s Favourite vaccine. Jenner’s Queen Anne-style industrial rewards. Manor House”. Owlpen Manor also home contains many original artefacts The ‘industry’ of William Blathwayt boasts a medieval restaurant using of this pioneer doctor-surgeon and lies during the late 17th century resulted fresh produce from its working farm, close to Berkeley Castle. in the building of his magnificent and holiday accommodation in historic Jenner made his name in the medical Baroque home at Dyrham Park, south estate cottages. world but other Severn Vale residents of Chipping Sodbury. Blathwayt was a Many people would argue the became rich and famous through civil servant and politician who horticultural merits of the topiaried industrial acumen. Glass, brass, pottery, administered colonies in North precision of the 16th century Owlpen sugar-refining, chocolate and soap all America and established the Manor garden, or the 600 Cotswold had manufacturing roots in this government’s War Office. Fittingly, acres of shrubs and trees at productive area. Dyrham Park was used during World Westonbirt Arboretum on the A433 And with their industry came wealth. War II to house evacuees and orphans. towards Tetbury. Dyrham Park PAGE 4 Visitor Guide 2009 Visitor Guide 2009 PAGE 5 Vibrant communities with Chipping Sodbury country charm and character hriving market towns, a rich Thursday morning market can trace its Finely embroidered kneelers in the industrial heritage, rural charm origins to 1227, and its vibrant scene church depict facets of the ancient Tand centuries of character filled of local produce and crafts being community of Wotton, which dates history – little wonder the Severn Vale vocally sold from colourful trestle back to 940AD. Local wildlife too is is loved by both residents and visitors. laden stalls has changed little over highlighted – Gloucestershire’s moths, The charming town of Thornbury time. Home made and hand crafted butterflies, reptiles, and Wildfowl Trust reveals many reasons for the area’s goods are a speciality, while the town’s birds at nearby Slimbridge. timeless appeal. Thornbury is a typical award winning bakery always tempts Like the towns around it, Wotton English market town with historic the taste buds. Under Edge today has a thriving centre buildings dating from the 15th century. The town still retains much of its where a variety of small family stores It also has the only Tudor castle in medieval charm, not least in the siting offer personal service. Browsing is a Wotton-under-Edge Tetbury England that is a hotel. of St John’s Church, built in 1284 down pleasure and a leisurely cream tea can A bustling Farmers’ Market full of a side alley, slotted between two be enjoyed before a visit to Wotton’s local produce is held in the town allotments. Space for market trading own cinema centre on the first and third Thursday rather than religious observance North-east out of Wotton lies the appears to have been the medieval of every month. road to Nailsworth, which nestles in a priority! As a Britain-in-Bloom winner, wooded Cotswold valley. It’s a pleasant Away from the bustling market, St Thornbury is a delight for summer place to visit for a meal at its award- John’s provides a cool, quiet haven with visitors with its floral displays; while winning restaurants, pubs and cafes, or the conservation award-winning Chipping Sodbury’s a meander around its interesting array St.