50 Gems of the Cotswolds: The History & Heritage of the Most Iconic Places

To many, the Cotswolds epitomise rural England at its best, conjuring up images of tranquil stone-built villages nestling beneath gently rolling hills or tucked away in evergreen secluded valleys. Such is its enchanting character that it remains one of the most popular and frequently visited parts of Britain. Yet this region defies simple stereotypes. Know where to look and you’re as likely to come across a mysterious stone circle, an Iron Age fort or the castle where Edward II was murdered as you are one of the many fine churches and manor houses built from local limestone which typically punctuate this alluring landscape. Once celebrated as the centre of the English wool trade during the Middle Ages, the Cotswolds were rediscovered by the Arts and Crafts Movement as a special place of pilgrimage towards the end of the nineteenth century. Towns such as Chipping Campden, Cirencester, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bath have many secrets to reveal. This book also explores iconic sites such as Arlington Row. Covering places of outstanding beauty and treasures of historical interest, this guide has carefully selected fifty unmissable gems which help this region to sparkle as a jewel in the nation’s heritage.