The Cotswolds, set in the Southern area of England, was recently rated 2nd in the ‘Fine Living Top 10: Paradises On Earth’, by a well-known Men’s Online Magazine, for locations around the world that seem to have remained untouched by civilisation. If you don’t believe this statement, you obviously haven’t visited the Cotswolds. With many towns and villages, the Cotswolds holds some truly spectacular gems when staying in Cheltenham or the surrounding areas.

Cheltenham Spa

Cheltenham, rich in Georgian architecture and historic past, make this one of the most interesting Towns in the Cotswolds. With a vast range of shops, museums, gardens and an array of festivals, including the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, visitors flock in big numbers. Set in the West of the Cotswolds, finding accommodation in Cheltenham would be recommended, as it acts as the perfect gateway to the rest of the Cotswolds, with easy road, and railway access.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Sometimes referred to as ‘The Venice of the Cotswolds’, Bourton-on-the-Water is a very historic village, with cottages and houses dating back to the Elizabethan times. The River Windrush flows straight through the village, along the main street, with small stone bridges providing regular crossing points. It is an extremely popular tourist destination in the summer and is great for just sitting and watching the ducks on the river. It is equally busy in the winter and autumn, with particular areas of interest being the Miniature Village, Model Railway and the Cotswold Perfumery.

Broadway

Broadway is the largest of the Cotswold villages set in Worcestershire, and is referred to as ‘The Jewel of the Cotswolds’. A short drive from the village centre is the Broadway Tower, set in Broadway Tower Country Park. The tower, which was constructed in the late 18th century, has spectacular views over thirteen counties on a clear day. A range of boutiques, gift shops, tearooms and cafes, make this an ideal, and must see village, to stop at during your visit to the Cotswolds.

Chipping Campden

One of ‘the most beautiful villages in the UK’, Chipping Campden is an ideal venue for a holiday, or a short break. The ancient town has many places of interest, with beautiful buildings, providing a mix of architectural styles, including St James Church, the Market Hall, and the Old Silk Mill. The village was host to the ‘Cotswold Olympics’, which was founded in 1612, long before the modern Olympic Games had even been established. Even today, this version of the games takes place every summer. With so much to see and do, you will have to come back more than once to fit everything in!

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Known for it’s easy road and rail access, it is the perfect destination for a day out or a short break. The town sits on the banks of the River Avon, which was once a key trade route. Now, the River is used mainly for a number of leisure activities that involve all of the locals. Like many of the other towns and villages in the Cotswolds, the town is surrounded by superb rural countryside. Bursting with culture and history, ‘Shakespeare’s Stratford’ is a delightful surprise.

Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the most visited placed in the Cotswolds. The Market Square is the feature point of the village, with an ancient cross at one end, and 19th Century stocks at the other. Despite the village having a wide and open appearance, there are many alleyways and small passages which link up to the square, all of which are begging to be explored and followed. Home to the oldest accommodation in the Cotswolds, and for that matter in England, is The Royalist Inn, with history tracing back to 947AD. Many ghostly tales have been heard about this inn.

Quite simply, the Cotswolds is the largest ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in England and Wales. Set in an extremely picturesque area of Southern England, it is brimming with history and culture. Whether you spend one day, or one week in the area, you will have to return to see all of its true magnificence. With Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Chipping Campden, and Stow-on-the-Wold all within 14 miles of Cheltenham, staying at a 5 star luxury hotel in Cheltenham, is the obvious choice to get the most out of your break.

For 5 star luxury accommodation in the Cotswolds, please contact us at Beaumont House Hotel today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_D_James

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Keith Harding’s World of Mechanical Music

This is a living museum of the various kinds of self-playing musical instruments that brought entertainment to our great grandparents when this was the only type of music available other than real musicians before the birth of radio broadcasting which started in 1924.

The museum houses an amazing variety of self playing instruments and automata that might have been found in the home all in superb condition, and presented as a live entertainment by their well-informed guides. Many of the items are for sale, as this is a constantly changing collection.

All the instruments are maintained in the most perfect possible order in their world-famous workshops on the premises.

Listen to Grieg, Paderewsky, Rachmaninov and Gerschwin giving concert performances of their own compositions, ‘live" on their reproducing pianos, in the intimacy of our Victorian music room. Savour the decadence of "Cabaret" with a performance on their 1920s Berlin café piano. Hear the latest in "hi-fi" from the 1930s on our enormous E.M.G. handmade gramophone.

Open all the year round, seven days a week.  Further information can be found on their website at www.mechanicalmusic.co.uk

Yet another great day out in the idyllic Cotswolds

Technorati Tags: Cotswolds, keith harding, Tourism, world of mechanical music

In 1966 an area covering 582 square miles (1507 sq kms) was designated in law as a special landscape which should be protected for future generations. In 1990, the boundaries were extended to create the Cotswolds AONB as we know it today-the largest in England and Wales covering 790 sq miles (2038 sq kms).

Over the past 40 years AONB status has meant that the Cotswolds has been conserved and enhanced. It also means that any change has, where possible, been in keeping with the distinctive nature of the area.
HRH, The Prince of Wales lives in the AONB, and he has congratulated the Board on the work that has been done to conserve the Cotswolds over the past 40 years. He has also said that he hopes that the Board will continue their work for `countless years to come`.
In the Board`s 40th Anniversary publication the Prince said:
‘I am particularly pleased, therefore, that the new Conservation Boards have a responsibility to conserve the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and promote people’s enjoyment of them, but also to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities.’
Throughout 2006 the Cotswolds Conservation Board will be encouraging the public to join them in celebrating the 40th Anniversary by working to ensure that as many people as possible enjoy the AONB. They will be providing a range of publications to help improve public understanding of the Cotswolds landscape and guide people towards events designed to encourage them to get out and enjoy the Cotswolds.

By: Iain Thomas

Iain Thomas writes articles on travel leisure and tourism in the UK. He has a particular interest in walking and the national parks. He runs a website about UK Walking where you can find 1000′s of walk routes and places to stay nearby.

Technorati Tags: Cotswolds, england, Hotels, walking