Some of the most beautiful English villages can be found in Cotswold. This tutorial shows you the best picture of the perfect villages and historical characteristics from this beautiful land of England. Instructions include our 2 parts, starting at Castle Combe, voted as the most beautiful village in England a number of times. Powerfully changing since 16 hundred, this sleepy village is also famous as the context in some films, including the Steven Spielbergs and Dreveller's classic Drevistle in 1967.
Walking down the river "By Brook", the houses of weaver are the highlight. As a home of local weaving workers in the 15th century, they are skilled men and women and have a high status in the village. Combe Castle https://goo.gl/maps/zezdhoqspb1knmfq9
For a solemn home visit, try Dyrham Park, part of the National Trust collection, this 17 -century house and deer park has many things to provide a day out for the whole family. The bases are spacious and abandoned wandering in the park, so let them keep an eye on them. Created by William Blathwayt, inside you can learn everything about the family and the distance from a 17 -century house is operated. National entrusting https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Dyrham Park https://goo.gl/maps/gv5ml8dskgkmtqyy9
Bibury is not to be missed in any trip to Cotswold. It could be the most beautiful chocolate village in Cotswold and was recorded by William Morris when he visited. Arlington Row is the highlight of the visit and once again seen in films like Stardust and Bridget Jones Diary. It can become very busy here so it is suggested that you come in early in the morning or late afternoon when the bus is over.
Burford has a long high road stretching with interesting stores, antiques and tea rooms. St. Parish Church John Baptist dates back to the 15th century is an excellent preservation example and Shuld is not placed while in the town.
In this video we'll show you some of the prettiest villages,
historical properties and the oldest pub in England.
Let's get started right here in Castlecombe, we're in the Cotswolds.
The Cotswolds is an expanse of sloping green hills and ancient picturesque
towns and villages two hours west of London.
It is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty
and its quintessentially English charm spans six counties,
The tiny village of Castlecombe is our first stop
and it has been called the prettiest village in England.
Fairy tale cottages, a parish church and a few pubs adorn this sleepy village
frozen in time and unchanged since the 1600s.
The honey-coloured limestone brickwork synonymous with the Cotswolds
give a warming glow even on a cloudy day. As with many villages parking is
restricted and you'll need to use the free car park at the top of the village
and walk down or try your luck with a few roadside spaces a little closer.
The focal point of the village the 14th century medieval
market cross monument was sadly boarded up for repairs
but you might recognize this area as used in Steven Spielberg's 2010 film
War Horse. Another notable movie filmed in the
village was the 1967 hit Dr Dolittle with Rex Harrison.
St Andrew's parish church is a grade one listed building
and typical of village churches built around the 13th century.
The medieval clock is one of the oldest in the country.
Most of the building has been replaced or restored over the years to the same
design but the tower is still the original 15th
century structure. The village takes its name from the 12th
century castle which stood about a quarter of a mile
north of the village. Today there's nothing left of this structure.
If you're here during lunch afternoon or evening
then a couple of pubs offer food and drink to a weary traveler
and in summer you can sit outside. Walking down the hill to the river you
will pass the old rectory tea room and gift shop.
Cream teas are available but only if you pre-book.
With all of our locations we'll put links in the description to help you.
One of the classic and most photographed locations in the village
is down on Water Lane and the weavers cottages that hug
the by-brook. Back in the 15th century weavers were deemed of high status
for the felt work they accomplished on the cloth used in soldiers uniforms.
They could therefore pick prime property locations near rivers
due to the water they needed as part of the fulling process.
This used hot water and agitation to shrink the wool into felted garments.
Apparently one of the properties was home to the Blanket Brothers
and it's believed to be the birthplace of the blanket.
Driving the country lanes can be an adventure. Stepping just off the main
road the narrow lanes can catch you out with oncoming traffic
or locals walking their dogs, so take care and drive slowly
especially if you're used to driving on the other side of the road.
The 19th century artist and craftsman William Morris
called Bybury the most beautiful village in England when he visited it.
The village is known for its 17th century stone cottages
with steeply pitched roofs and the famous Arlington Row
weavers cottages which supplied cloth to the nearby Arlington Mill.
Parking can be tricky here with very few spaces in this chocolate box village
developed long before the motorcar. The U.S. car manufacturer Henry Ford
thought Arlington Row was an icon of England.
On a trip to the Cotswolds he tried to buy the entire row of houses
to ship back to Michigan so that he could include them in Greenfield Village
Museum. Luckily for us his bid was unsuccessful,
he did however manage to purchase a rose cottage
in the 1930s from the village of Chedworth,
so a small piece of the Cotswolds made its way to America.
Bybury has provided the backdrop of blockbuster films including Stardust
and Bridget Jones Diary. Walking in a loop along the pretty paths by the river
Arlington Mill appears. This is now a private residence but once housed a
museum with a collection of period costumes
produced by the Arlington weavers that lived in the cottages we just showed
you. Bybury should definitely not be missed
on your Cotswolds tour.
Burford is a small medieval town in West Oxfordshire
and is often referred to as the southern gateway to the Cotswolds
as people arrive from the east on the A40 from Oxford.
The long sloping high street is a mix of pretty cottages
and ancient shops that have changed little since the Tudor times.
There are numerous tea rooms, craft stores, pubs and antique shops aplenty to
entice you. Don't miss out on the side streets
which have charming cute stores to view. The 15th century parish church of St
John the Baptist is magnificent and well preserved. Work
started back in the 12th century originally funded by wealthy local
farmers and merchants that had been successful in the local
wool trade. They believed that making these donations
would seal a place in heaven. The lengthy restoration of the church
took place in the 1870s bringing criticism from William Morris.
The vicar at the time responded, the church sir is mine and if i choose to i
shall stand on my head in it. This inspired William Morris to
establish the society for the protection of ancient buildings.
The elaborate tomb of St Lawrence Tanfield and his wife can be viewed in
the north chapel. Tanfield was a prominent lawyer and
politician who established a country seat in Burford in the 1580s.
However his reputation for corruption and harshness with tenants
was remembered long after he died. The church has some beautiful architecture
and stained glass windows and we highly recommend visiting on
your walk around Burford. Next time in part two of this video we
visit more stunning villages, a motor museum, the oldest pub in
England and the Folly Tower at Broadway. If you enjoyed part one please help us
by liking and consider subscribing and clicking that bell so you don't
miss next week's episode and our future videos.
Until the next time happy travels from the Memoryseekers.
