Hop in for a brief glimpse of a village in England.

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PST-DVD-COTS – English Towns & Villages The Cotswolds

This video is a moving picture postcard view of “Cotswolds Towns and Villages”

The Cotswolds cover 790 square miles of beautiful English countryside mainly within the county of Gloucestershire. The whole area is renowned worldwide for the distinctive architecture of its towns and villages which date back to Roman times and beyond. This video will enrich the pleasure of a visit but also some of the hidden corners. This is enhanced with historical information where appropriate. We follow a circular route through small and large villages as well as the main wool and market towns of Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-marsh, Stow on the Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. On the way we’ll see many fascinating places, some of which appear almost untouched by the passage of time, all helping to keep the Cotswold special.

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Technorati Tags: Britain, Cotswolds, culture, destination, English, events, gloucestershire, landmark, log, nature, the, Towns, Travel, Villages

Evesham has been called the Gateway to the Cotswolds, and makes a great centre for exploring the beautiful countryside.

Roughly equidistant between Worcester, Cheltenham, and Stratford-upon-Avon, and situated on the River Avon in the fertile Vale of Evesham – still famed for fruit growing and market gardening – the town provides the ideal setting for coarse fishing, angling, boating and riverside walks. Boats may also be hired for day cruises for short breaks to explore the charming waterways of the Cotswolds.

History

Evesham can trace its existence back to the 8th century. The name Evesham is derived from “Eofs ham” (“ham” in English placenames meaning “homestead”). Eof (or Eoves) was a humble swineherd, who saw a vision of the Virgin Mary and reported his experience to Saint Egwin, third Bishop of Worcester.

Ecgwin also experienced the vision when he went to visit the spot, and founded the Benedictine Evesham Abbey there in 709. By the time it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540 the Abbey was estimated to be the 3rd largest and most powerful in England, and funded smaller abbeys and churches in Belgium, the Netherlands and France. A large source of income came from pilgrims to the abbey.

A thriving town grew up around the Abbey, and it was here on 4th August 1265 that Simon de Montfort, known as the father of the English Parliament, and his alliance of rebellious barons were defeated at the Battle of Evesham by the royal forces under Prince Edward (later Edward I).

De Montfort was killed in the battle and his remains buried in front of the High Altar in the Abbey Church. A modest stone memorial in the park now marks the spot where de Montfords burial took place.

Attractions in Evesham

Much of the Abbey was dismantled and sold as building stone, leaving little but the twin Churches of All Saints and St. Lawrence and the fine 16th century bell tower remaining in the Abbey precincts. Abbey Park and its adjacent riverside meadows are now the venue for fairs, concerts, river activities and the Evesham Show.

There are several other houses of historic interest in the town, notably a fine 15th Century timbered merchants house called the Round House (now a bank), a late 17th Century town house, Dresden House, once occupied by Dr. Baylies, physician to Frederick the Great of Prussia, and an old manor house once owned by King Canute.

No visit to Evesham is complete without a visit to the Almonry – dating back to 1400 this was once the home of the Almoner at Evesham Abbey, and remains a superb example of early English architecture. It now houses a Tourist Information Office and Heritage Centre, and an excellent museum of social history of the town and Vale of Evesham.

Places to Get More Information About Evesham

UK Battlefields Resource Centre – Battle of Evesham

Evesham Tourist Information

River trips and boat hire on the River Avon

Evesham Business Directory

Evesham Abbey 360 Panorama

More information about the Cotswolds

The limestone hills of the Cotswolds are preposterously photogenic, strewn with countless picture-book villages built by wealthy cloth merchants. Wool was important here as far back as the Roman era, but the greatest fortunes were made between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, during which period many of the regions fine manors and churches were built.

Largely bypassed by the Industrial Revolution, which heralded the areas commercial decline, much of the Cotswolds is a relic, its architecture preserved in often immaculate condition.

Numerous churches are decorated with beautiful Norman carving, for which the local limestone was ideal: soft and easy to carve when first quarried, but hardening after long exposure to the sunlight. The use of this local stone is a strong unifying characteristic, though its colour modulates as subtly as the shape of the hills, ranging from a deep golden tone in Chipping Campden to a silvery grey in Painswick .

The consequence of all this is that the Cotswolds have become one of the countrys main tourist attractions, with many towns inundated by tea and souvenir and antiques shops.

To see the Cotswolds at their best, you should visit in winter or avoid the most popular towns and instead escape into the hills themselves. This might be a tamed landscape, but there is good scope for walks, either in the gentler valleys that are most typical of the Cotswolds or along the dramatic escarpment which marks the boundary with the Severn Valley.

A long-distance path called the Cotswold Way runs along the top of the ridge, stretching about one hundred miles from Chipping Campden past Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud as far as Bath. A number of prehistoric sites provide added interest along the route, with some – such as Belas Knap near Winchcombe – being well worth a diversion.

Technorati Tags: Cotswolds, English, Enter, Evesham, Glorious, Place

The Cotswolds offers an amazing array of choices when you are looking to arrange your holiday. From self service cottages, to luxurious hotels, you can vacation in the Cotswolds on any budget.

Self-catering cottages or holiday cottages are little homes you rent by the week. You are responsible for getting your own meals and there is no maid service. There are also usually no people above your head walking around and slamming doors in the middle of the night. You can find these cottages in the villages, as well as sprinkled through the countryside, so you have a choice of staying in town or not.

There are hundreds of Bed and Breakfast choices in the Cotswolds. Some of the locals rent rooms in their homes, and some have larger establishments with separate living spaces for the owners. There is a wide selection as far as where you want to stay. You can choose between staying at a working farm, staying right in a town centre area, or anything in between.

A specific example is the Hoggs Barn B&B, located inside a refurbished barn, near Moreton-in-Marsh. This is a 16th century Cotswold stone barn and features a huge dining hall with a beautiful oak staircase. This B&B is located near bicycle rentals, to facilitate a slower tour of the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds offer regular chain hotels as well, including a Holiday Inn. These are more like the traditional hotels foreign tourists are used to. They lack the charm of staying on a working farm, or the challenge of figuring out how to work an English kitchen in a rented cottage, but they offer the comfort of a more traditional stay in an unfamiliar land!

The Cotswolds also offers high end luxury accommodations. Some of these are refurbished manor houses nestled in huge, manicured grounds. Some have world class golf courses; many have excellent restaurants inside. These luxury hotels can include incredible amenities, like spas, Jacuzzis, and massages.

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The Park Hotel is one of these luxury hotels. It has 17 en-suite rooms, and is inside 240 acre Tracy Park Estate, one of the most breathtaking estates in the Bristol and Bath areas. It boasts The Crown, and The Cromwell golf courses.

Don’t let budgetary concerns influence your decision to stay in the Cotswolds. There is a housing option to fit every need, and every holiday-maker. The time is now to plan your trip to the beautiful Cotswolds!

By Anna Louise Phillips

Anna Phillips represents Jigsaw Holidays, specialists in supplying Cotswold Cottages and character properties for the ideal Cotswold break.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Louise_Phillips
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Different-Accommodation-Options-in-the-Cotswolds&id=2624883

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J.B. Priestly calls it the “…most English and the least spoiled of all our country sides…” and once you’ve visited, you’re sure to agree!. Imagine hundreds of cottages made of stone, rolling hills, nature at her best, fresh air and lots of activities to keep you busy. You’re in the Cotswolds in the heart of England.

The Cotswolds is full of thatched roofs and gables… and ivy-covered houses line the streets of most of the small villages you can trek through. But although you might think the Cotswolds holds little appeal for teenagers, you’d be wrong!

First of all, take a tour of the area. Tourist centres can help you pick out the most interesting scenery for you, including the century’s old structures that date back to Roman occupation. This may sound boring, but imagine being back in those times, living during the Romantic period. Plus, it’s a ready-made history assignment!

Are you hungry? (What teenager isn’t!) There are many restaurants to choose from in the area, all with a variety of British and International foods. Every village and town has an Inn or restaurant or pub to satisfy whatever you need. The Cotswolds is a great place to sample traditional British food… from fish and chips to a full English Roast Dinner!

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Need adventure? Look no further! The Cotswolds and surrounding areas can satisfy even the most daring of adventurers. In Wiltshire, check out the Actiondrome, the home of the Skid Car, where you can learn how to drive on slippery surfaces.

If that’s not enough, try the Swindon Karting Centre, where riders race around a twisting track in miniature Formula 1 cars!

Still not satisfied? Then for the ultimate thrill-seeker there is skydiving at Cirencester with the Red Devils! If free-falling out of an aircraft thousands of feet in the air sounds like the time of your life, then this is one of the best places in the country to do it!

Many teenagers love horses. And I mean LOVE horses! There are equestrian centres are all over the Cotswolds that offer everything from training for beginners to un-accompanied horseback rides. Get a proper equestrian experience with miles and miles of fantastic horseback trails.

Want to bring your dog on holiday with you? The Cotswolds are very dog-friendly… many pubs, cottages and attractions even cater especially for them! There’s no need to leave man’s best friend behind when you go on holiday… the Cotswolds is one of the most dog-friendly areas of the UK. There’s plenty of open countryside and public walkways to exercise them on too!

Did you know that nearly all of the “Harry Potter” movies were filmed on location at different locations in and around the Cotswolds? Not only that, but well over thirty Hollywood blockbusters as well as British films have been shot in the area! Check out the tourist information centres (or search online) for the locations… and even take an organised tour!

There are also quite a few strange traditions that take place in the Cotswolds. These are usually scheduled throughout the year, and they’re great fun! From Wool Sack Day, where men carry heavy sacks of wool through a course, to Cheese rolling, which is hilarious (and dangerous!)

So despite the Cotswolds’ heritage and quaint atmosphere, there are still plenty of activities, sights and experiences to keep even the most thrill-seeking teenager entertained!

By Anna Louise Phillips

Anna Phillips represents Jigsaw Holidays, specialists in supplying Cotswold Cottages and character properties for the ideal Cotswold break.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Louise_Phillips
http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Activities-For-Teenagers-on-a-Cotswold-Cottage-Holiday&id=2571343

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