EP #5: The Cotswolds - A proud representative of English villages
Vibrant villages with captivating sights of the English countryside - you don't get to experience them that often.
Hi ya, friends!
Another week has passed by. It’s Sunday again! That means it is time for another issue of Wanderington featuring me, Duke, a 27 y.o. bloke from Vietnam, sharing his impression of different parts of the United Kingdom.
I am so excited to write this week’s article, not only because the place was a great representative of English villages and towns, but it was also one of the key items on my travel bucket list in England that can finally be crossed off the list. Welcome ladies and gents to … drum rolls please … the Cotswolds!
What exactly is this place?
Located in the Southwest of England, the Cotswolds is a huge Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with hundreds of square miles of unspoilt beauty from the traditional countryside, and picturesque villages to beautiful market towns, gardens and castles.
Just take a glance at the map, you can see the entire area with some of the major towns and villages that would take no less than weeks to truly explore everything. I have two days, so my job as the organiser of my “family tour” was even tougher than it should have been. Luckily, there was no right or wrong to be judged, and we’ve got an amazing trip here that I will show you through right now.
Bibury
I initially took my family to Bibury (pronounced buy-burry)- a beautiful village in the heart of Cotswolds that is famous for its picturesque beauty of the countryside and a truly impressive icon of the area if not the country.
Bibury was once deemed “the most beautiful village in England" way back in the 19th century and mentioned in the talks for "the most charming towns in Europe" in 2014.
It was the 5th of September, 2023. We arrived by car just near the Swan Hotel and started a 2-hour walk around the area. I could’ve gotten a much better shot of the hotel if I didn’t get totally distracted by the live animals in the River Coln.
Walking along the river banks, I think some of you already know what’s coming up! The old weavers’ cottage on Arlington Row (a row of honey-coloured cottages that dates back to the 17th century) is the iconic feature that we were dying to see. It is truly a timeless elegance of the village that attracts visitors from around the world.
These cottages looked like they came straight out of a drawing in a postcard. Needless to say, this is the place to be for artists and photographers. On the front, colourful gardens add a romantic touch to the scene that my family (especially my mother) loved so much. Moreover, the 11 am sunlight really embraced the golden hues of the stone, making it look even more magical.
Before heading off to the next spot, my brother and I visited the Trout Farm shop and the Village shop to get some souvenirs. It’s a pity we couldn't stay for lunch, otherwise, I’d love to try some of the beer from the local breweries. (I accidentally eavesdropped on some other tourists: they complimented it so much :D)
Bourton-on-the-Water
A short drive from Bibury brought my family to Bourton-on-the-Water, often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" (although I haven’t visited Italy just yet, so that didn’t help much). Another river flows through the village with charming stone bridges spanning the River Windrush water.
It was roughly 1 pm on a sunny day and it was quite a lively scene in front of our eyes. There were quite a few people here and there, enough to make the area feel not crowded, but bustling. People were strolling, singing, dancing, having a picnic on the greens and hanging out by the edge of the river, all with the soothing flowing sound of the water.
The village felt so animated and flourishing. It was a very unique feeling compared to all other places. We grabbed some ice cream before taking a quick stroll along the river banks and taking turns “being fascinated” by the delightful quaint shops. The weather was great, the atmosphere was buzzing and the sights were amazing - it truly was a special experience to come across.
We also visited the Model Village - a 1/9 scale model of the actual village, including miniature buildings and shops as well as beeches, cherries and chestnut trees.
The Model Village also comes with a tiny model church and a Model Village within the Model Millage!
The Motoring Museum was also included in our itinerary - a place offering a fascinating glimpse into the history of motoring.
Broadway
To feed my family's hunger for some sort of castle/fort, I decided to visit Broadway Tower - an 18th-century tower standing proudly atop the second-highest point in the region, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
The Broadway Tower was designed by renowned architect James Wyatt, serving as a country retreat for artists and writers; as well as a signaling tower during times of war.
I’ve seen great pictures taken of the tower and was immediately hooked to visit it. My best bet was to arrive a bit later in the afternoon, closer to the sunset to have the greatest sceneries possible for the cameras.
Personal remarks
The days went by so fast and we had to leave the Cotswolds - leaving the quaint villages and idyllic landscapes, leaving the simplicity and beauty of the traditional rural life. The English countryside still has so much to offer and I believe a second, a third, etc. visit is expected because I wouldn’t want to miss places like Castle Combe, Cirencester, The Slaughters and many other great destinations.
End notes
Thank you for reading this week’s issue of Wanderington on the Cotswolds! It is great to recall the fun memories I’ve had visiting this place. It really was an exceptional, one-of-a-kind experience.
The next issue of Wanderington will come as usual and it’s gonna be about Bath - a vibrant and thriving gem, a living museum of the Southwest!
That should be it for this week, see you soon friends! Bye now.