The Surrounding Area

England's Historic Heartland covers an area of outstanding natural beauty and encompasses a wealth of attractions. A region of dramatic contrast, from the rolling Cotswold Hills, and the heritage of Shakespeare Country, to the peaceful marches of the English and Welsh borderlands. The glass and china heritage of Staffordshire and the industrial history of the Black Country, merge with the sleey villages of Oxfordshire, on the banks of the meandering Thames.

The Cotswolds
The chocolate box image of traditional England, is epitomised by the peaceful villages of The Cotswolds. Here you will find picturesque cottages, flower bedecked cottages and imposing manor houses. You will also find bustling market towns set in breathtaking countryside, just waiting to be explored.

Many of the Cotswold's most famous villages, including Bourton-on-the-Water, Upper and Lower Slaughter and Broadway are in the North of The Cotswolds. So are some of the great wool and market towns such as Chipping Campden, Moreton- in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Situated in the South Cotswolds, is the ancient Roman town of Cirencester. Although nearby Bilbury and Tetbury are deservedly popular, there are countless opportunities to investigate smaller churches, cottages and pubs of tiny villages. For example, the small town of Coln St Aldwyns, which has changed very little for centuries. The deeply wooded Stroud Valleys contain hidden gems of the 18th and 19th Century woollen mills.

In the east of the region, the Cotswolds slope gently into Oxfordshire. This is one of the less explored counties, an area of fine historic houses, winding streams and small busy market towns like Witney, Burford, Chipping Norton and Banbury. The small county town of Woodstock can also be found here, clustered around the park gates of Blenheim Palace, the superb 18th Century home of the Duke of Marlborough.

Stratford-upon-Avon provides an ideal centre from which to explore the Cotswolds, as does the historic spa town of Cheltenham.

Gloucestershire
In the Severn Valley lies the Cathedral City of Gloucester, where the Gloucester Docks, with its carefully restored Victorian Warehouses, provide an excellent home for museums, shops, bars, restaurants and an Antiques centre.

The Royal Forest of Dean
The Royal Forest of Dean is made up of a dramatic texture of landscapes. You will find 27,000 acres of Crown Forest to the south of the area, with outstanding landscape bordering the Wye Valley.

In short, the Cotswolds area provides the perfect setting for long or short stay, or just an exciting and relaxing day out.

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