Cotswolds Sightseeing

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Journey Time:
3 Days
Distance:
75.5 miles (122.4 km)
Airport:
Bristol/Heathrow

Plan your route: VisitBritain Journey Planner (visitbritain.transportdirect.info/web2)

This picturesque 3-day tour through the English Cotswolds (a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty) offers a wealth of quintessentially English sites – historic castles, ancient market towns, Roman villas, Norman cathedrals and of course, the famous Cotswold stone buildings and dry stone walls that cover more than 6,000kms.

Day 1: Cirencester - Fairford - Bibury - Cheltenham

Cirencester - Fairford: 8 miles (12.8 km)
Fairford - Bibury: 7 miles (11.5 km)
Bibury - Cheltenham: 23½ miles (38.1 km)
Totals for the day: 38½ miles (62.4 km)

Cirencester

The first destination on your tour is Cirencester. Known as the Capital of The Cotswolds, this lively market town played an important part of the history of Roman England. Discover the Church of St John, the pebbled streets off the main square and the delightful markets on Mondays and Fridays.

Must see and do:

Church of St John (www.acinc.org.uk/parish-ch.htm) | Corinium Museum (www.cirencester.co.uk/coriniummuseum/) | Brewery Arts (www.breweryarts.org.uk/) | Cotswold Water Park (www.waterpark.org/) | Westonbirt Arboretum (www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt) | Kelmscott Manor (www.kelmscottmanor.co.uk/) | Chedworth Roman Villa (www.chedworthromanvilla.com/) | Rodmarton Manor (www.rodmarton-manor.co.uk/) | Museum in the Park (www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/museum/museum.asp?did=new_mus_home) | Bristol Aero Collection (www.bristolaero.com/)

Fairford

From Cirencester head to Fairford (www.cotswolds.info/places/fairford.shtml). Sitting on the River Coln, this 16th century village was formally a river-crossing town. Home to the church of St Mary, with its pointed tower, magnificent medieval stained glass and carvings in both wood and stone it is a view to behold.

Must see and so:

Bibury

Described by William Morris as 'the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds’, Bibury centres around St Mary Church square. Best explored on foot, discover charming thatched cottages dating back to the 16th century and enjoy water views of the River Coln and Arlington Row.

Must see and do:

St Mary's Church of Bibury (www.bibury.com/st-marys-church-bibury.htm) | Bibury Trout Farm (www.biburytroutfarm.co.uk/) | Arlington Mill Museum (www.bibury.com/arlington-mill.htm) | Arlington Row

Cheltenham

Travelling through the Villages of Winson, Colb Rogers and Calcot, you will arrive at Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham. This amazing ancient building, built between AD180 and AD350, is today a National Trust property. Witness firsthand, the advanced level of civilisation of this period.

Must see and do:

Pittville Pump Room (www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/our_venues/venue.html?id=2&area=history) | Holst Birthplace Museum (www.holstmuseum.org.uk) | Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum (www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk) | Sudeley Castle Gardens (www.sudeleycastle.co.uk) | Hailes Abbey (www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=conProperty.261) | Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway (www.gwsr.com/index.html) | Gloucester Cathedral (www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/)

Go to Day 1 | 2 | 3

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For any of you planning a train itinerary around Britain, the essential "buy before you leave" product is the BritRail Pass. Only available to overseas visitors. it must be purchased before you arrive in Britain, is available in 1st or standard class sections, consecutive or flexi and in a combination of multi-day options, it really is the best value way to see Britain.

For full details and to order click here (www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-GB/detail.aspx?ProductCode=T1).