The Surrounding Area

The architecture of its 38 colleges in the city’s medieval center led poet Matthew Arnold to nickname it the 'City of Dreaming Spires'. Westgate centre has many rooftop bars and restaurants above the shops; stroll around the university gardens or take in an atmospheric evensong in one of the university chapels; hire a punt and take a picnic along the river Cherwell; visit the Ashmolean museum or the Pitt Rivers museum; wander the old streets with their selection of quirky pubs or visit the famous indoor covered market with its eclectic mix of stalls.

The northernmost town in the west part of the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden is a remote and sleepy village with wonderfully preserved architecture due to the Campden Trust set up in 1927. It was from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century one of the most important wool towns - thus the incredibly wide high street (much like our Chipping Norton). The name Chipping Campden means “Market by Cultivated Land” in Old Saxon. We lived here for a couple of years before settling in Chipping Norton and feel it’s definitely worth at least an afternoon of exploring! The high street is full honeyed stone buildings dating from the fourteenth century. There is a stunning oversized church built by the wealth the wool trade provided, nicknamed a “wool cathedral”. A 17th century limestone market stand marks the centre of the village, used even today by locals looking to sell their wares. There are tea rooms, pubs, and galleries interspersed - and a lovely antique bookshop (Draycott Books) on Sheep street which we highly recommend. Locals recommend a walk on nearby Dover’s Hill for it’s unspoilt views, which we agree with but warn to wear wellies due to the sheep droppings everywhere (and be sure your dog is on a tight lead here).

A brilliant city that’s world-renowned and filled with historic buildings and gorgeous views. Worth a full day to see the Roman Baths, the cathedral, Royal Crescent, walking through the streets and shops, and dining at the Pump Room.

Woodstock is a market town which most notably features Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Winston Churchill was born in 1874. Edward, elder son of King Edward III and heir apparent, was born in Woodstock Manor on 15 June 1330. In his lifetime he was commonly called Edward of Woodstock, but is known today as the Black Prince. In the reign of Queen Mary I, her half-sister Elizabeth was imprisoned in the gatehouse of Woodstock Manor. There are many antique shops in the village, and some incredible restaurant options. A perfect place to spend a day.

Start your day with breakfast at Daylesford! Then go on to Stow. At the height of the Cotswold wool industry, Stow-on-the-Wold 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 town houses and shops. Stow has many fine Antique shops, Art galleries, Gifts and Crafts and is a centre for Walking the Cotswolds countryside. The final battle of the first English Civil War was fought here in March 1646. My tip would be to park in the car park near the Bell Inn on the road to Chipping Norton and not in the Square, which can get very busy. Lower Slaughter is only 10 minutes away from Stow and is a picturesque little village that takes only minutes to walk through, so take it slowly!