Welcome to the Costwolds !

Moreton in Marsh & Bourton on the Water

The Costwolds are an area of England I love to visit and re-visit whatever the season for their charm and amazing picturesque beauty. My favorite village of the Cotswolds was Broadway which I last visited a couple of years ago, village which is said to be the "show village of England". I say "was" as I had not yet fallen under the spell of the magical viillage of Bourton on the Water also called the "Venice of the Cotswolds" and you will see why in my pictures.

I spent the morning in Moreton in Marsh which is hosting a market every Tuesday for the past 1000 years and the afternoon in Bourton on the Water which was just about to embrace the Autumn color changes in this early October.



Map of the Cotswolds



The Cotswolds




"Cotswolds" is derived from the word for the stone sheep shelters or "cots" (we still use the word in dovecote), plus the word "wold" for the rolling hills. That tells us about a time in the past when sheep were the mainstay of the economy

The Cotswolds is designated 'An Area of Outstanding Beauty' and is the largest in England and Wales, stretching from Chipping Campden, in the north, to Bath in the South (80 miles), covering an area of 2038 sq. kms (790 sq. miles) and comprises farmland over 80% of its area. It has the largest number of conservation areas of any region.

The Wool Trade

In the Middle Ages the Cotswolds was well known throughout Europe as the source of some of the best wool. The Cotswolds were ideal for sheep so the Abbeys and monasteries raised huge flocks of the 'Cotswold Lions'. These native sheep were large animals with golden long fleeces. Merchants became rich and spent much money on the wool churches as well as building fine houses for themselves such as Grevel's House in Chipping Campden. At that time 50% of England's economy was due to wool.

Silk Production

At the time of James 1st the production of silk was encouraged, it was he who was responsible for the planting of the white mulberry (the black mulberry does not attract the silk worm) on what is now the site of Buckingham Palace, however the gardens became a meeting place of women of ill-repute and his dreams of the gardens being important in the production of silk were dashed.

Silk was an important part of the Cotswolds industry, with mills being in many Cotswold locations amongst them being Winchcombe, Blockley and Broadway.

Coaching Routes

Stage Coaches were in general use from the mid 17th century for about 200 years, with coaching inns or what was known as Staging Inns usually spaced some 7 miles apart, many offered very basic facilities whilst others had a blacksmith or a wheelwright attached to their premises or in close vicinity.

It was accepted that whilst there were empty beds available inns could continue serving drinks which meant almost 24 hour drinking, wayfarers and stragglers were acceptable.

Coaching routes through the Cotswolds generally followed the Roman Roads, Broadway was on the main route to London from Worcester and was an important staging point, Fish Hill was a steep climb for horses so frequently additional horses needed to be hitched to the coaches.

As it was a much frequented stopping place it was a place of many staging inns, it has been said that at one time there was as many as 40 places offering accommodation for coach travellers.

More to come soon ...

Moreton in Marsh



Moreton-in-Marsh is one of the principal market towns in the northern Cotswolds situated on the Fosse Way and now served by the main line railway from London Paddington. It grew up in the thirteenth century as a market town with a wide main street, narrow burgage plots and back lanes. There still is a busy Tuesday market with about 200 stalls attracting many visitors. See image of Tolls charged in 1905.

Moreton has been a traveller's town for at least 1700 years and was used as a coaching station before the coming of the Oxford to Worcester railway in 1853.

Bourton on the Water



Bourton on the Water is an extremely popular tourist destination that attracts visitors to the Cotswolds throughout the year and is just as appealing in the Autumn and Winter months as it is in the Summer.

Bourton-on-the-Water is located along the Roman Fosse Way, an ancient route stretching from the mouth of the Humber all the way down to Devon.

Bouton is beautiful, picturesque village that is a must see for anyone spending time in the Cotswolds.

Cotswolds towns and villages

Bibury Home to the famous and picturesque Arlington Row

Bourton on the Water Bourton on the Water is sometimes known as "The Venice of the Cotswolds"

Broadway One of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds, and probably England

Burford Burford is a beautiful town on the river Windrush

Chipping Campden An historic town with impressive buildings such as one of the finest wool churches

Chipping Norton The highest town in Oxfordshire and sometimes known as "The Gateway To The Cotswolds"

Cirencester One of the oldest and most beautiful market towns in the country

Fairford Gloucestershire town, probably most famous for being the home of RAF Fairford

Lechlade Lechlade is a small market town on the southern borders of the Cotswolds

Moreton in Marsh Moreton-in-Marsh is in the heart of the Cotswolds, located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode valley

Nailsworth Situated about 4 miles from Stroud, Nailsworth is a charming town with winding streets and a plentiful supply of nooks and crannies to explore

Northleach A charming, under-developed Cotswold village

South Cerney One of the largest villages in the Cotswolds

Stow-on-the-Wold Stands along the old Roman Fosse Way on a 700 foot high hill

Stroud The oldest market town in Gloucestershire

Tetbury A centre for antique shops and home to The Market House built in 1655

Westonbirt Home to the world famous Westonbirt Arboretum

Witney Famous for Witney blankets

Woodstock Home to Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill

I highly recommend a luncheon at the White Hart Royal Hotel in Moreton in Marsh which offers a fantastic value for money with itsTuesday Market's Menu made from fresh local products for less than ten pounds including a pint of my beloved Guinness

And why not indulging in a pre-taste of life in the Cotswolds through Agatha Raisin's murder mysteries all set in the area where its author, M. C. Beaton lives and sometimes dedicates her books at the local bookstore. Starting with Agatha Raisin's first murder mystery...



More to come soon ...

Here are a few pictures of my day in Moreton in Marsh and Bourton on the Water ...

Moreton in Marsh















More to come soon ...

Moreton in Marsh









Bourton on the Water







More to come soon ...

Bourton on the Water















More to come soon ...

Bourton on the Water















More to come soon ...

Bourton on the Water







Thank you for following this escapade to the Cotswolds and stay tuned for another Postcard soon ...