The English countryside corridors to London

While there are many beautiful villages that are a step away from London and are ideal for a getaway, this route and proposal is a trip in itself for the amount of people to add in our traveler history, but above all, for the beauty that It will be each one of them. I mean an itinerary without leaving the Cotswolds area, west of London and not too far from the capital of the United Kingdom.
If we ever saw pictures in English rural landscapes, or in films those idyllic hillside areas among rock houses, surely we were seeing postcards of the Cotswolds area. This region to the southwest of the territory includes several counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, part of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire), always in an area of ​​hills of low height that reach a maximum of 330 msnm. The area is not very extensive, it is about 145 kilometers long and about 40 kilometers wide. All this region has a characteristic rock base (Cotswold rock), material that has been used to build houses, churches and all types of buildings with its particular yellowish hue. It is an area of ​​many small towns and rural environment that has been preserved with a unique charm over the centuries, almost the very essence of English culture in a landscape of great beauty.

... Until arriving at towns that seem the reason for a picturesque painting:



Hambleden (optional on the way to Cotswolds from London)

Hambleden is not in the Cotswold area, but on the way to this region, it is something like a recommended break shortly after leaving London (it is only 62 kilometers away, in the county of Buckinghamshire), and due to its particular aspect it has earned a place in the filming of films such as 101 Dalmatians, in 1996, or Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow forest setting.

Castle Combe

In the county of Wiltshire there are several gems to aim, but certainly one of the must-see is Castle Combe, sometimes chosen in various publications as the most beautiful town in England (although it is difficult to choose one, this at least has enough merit to stay title). If we think of staying with all the comfort, in the village there is a luxury hotel (five stars) in a building built in the fourteenth century (Manor House Hotel). Anyway, just going through it is one of the reasons for doing this route.

Tetbury

Within the Gloucestershire county, the town grew around a monastery, and subsequently the growth of a wool market (an activity very characteristic of the whole region). One of the most characteristic buildings of Tetbury is the market house, or the parish church. But the reason that leads us to decide and pass through here, will undoubtedly be the charm of the town, distinguished on numerous occasions for its picturesque appearance on a small scale.

Bibury

Bibury is one of the prettiest villages on the route, and it looks more like a "Middle Earth" style movie set than a real place (literally). It is located in the county of Gloucestershire and is of course a site that would be very quiet if it were not for its great tourist attractions, famous within the Cotswolds area. It is famous for its honey-colored houses from the 17th century, with its particular slate roofs. Going to five in the afternoon is a good opportunity to take a break in one of their tea houses.

Bourton-on-the-water

Another of the most beautiful villages in the area. Bourton on the Water is located in the county of Gloucestershire and is not as small as others (it has about 3,000 inhabitants, more than a handful of houses) so it is a good option to spend the night if we look for more variety of places to visit. choose. It is inevitable to walk along its main street next to the Windrush River, with picturesque stone bridges that make the town the name of the "Venice of the Cotswolds".

Lower Slaughter + Upper Slaughter

Lower + Upper Slaughter are two very close villages (it is almost better to walk from one to another and enjoy the pure air of the countryside on foot), both located on the banks of the River Eye. They are two faithful exponents of the essence of the Cotswolds, and it is recommended to go through them before heading to the next one on the route, which is located only 6 kilometers away.

Snowshill

Small village in the county of Gloucestershire, Snowshill is known for a famous feudal house, open to the public with a collection of antique objects.

Stanton

Stanton has just 200 inhabitants, the characteristic houses built with the Cotswold stone, just a main street, a pub, a church and a feudal house of the year 1577. It is one of the small towns in Gloucestershire that deserves to stop when passing through it, soak up the air and the quiet atmosphere of the place, at the risk of wanting to stay and live there for a while:

Broadway

It is another of the historic towns of Cotswold, and a good point to stay and make at least one night. In the area there is a lot to explore and explore including museums and trails through the countryside. And of course, Broadway's main street displays the quaint honey-colored stone houses that still attract visitors and shoot photographs. In the village there are hotels in legendary buildings, such as the Lygon Arms Hotel, which had as guests British historical personalities such as Oliver Cromwell.

Chipping Campden