I probably shouldn't admit I was relieved to find some shops closed when we called in at Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds, but to be absolutely honest the lockdown has saved me quite a few pennies. Judy looks longingly at some items in the window while in the absence of places that are open for food and drink other than ice cream visitors simply wander up and down or sit by the river. I have never seen Bourton-on-the-Water so uncrowded, and I sympathise with the retailers and other local businesses for whom this has caused such a desperate problem. Let's hope we can get back to normal as quickly as possible, and that there is no second peak to the pandemic.
Tags: Gloucestershire The Cotswolds shops Bourton-on-the-Water River Windrush
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When we visited Bourton-on-the-Water the other day all the cafes and pubs were closed, as were some of the shops, but people still came to visit. I guess there is something about water that attracts people to it. This village is in The Cotswolds with the High Street and a large area of grass running along one side of the River Windrush, with a wide footpath on the other side with pubs and cafes. The narrow river is no more than a foot (30 cm) deep, and it is crossed by no fewer than five low stone bridges dating from the 17th century up to 1953.
Tags: Gloucestershire Cotswolds Bourton-on-the-Water River Windrush visitors
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Another shot from the outstandingly beautiful High Street in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. Sadly, I didn't have my camera so had to make do with my phone. It seems that virtually every building in this street is listed as being of historical significance by British Listed Buildings. They mostly date from the 14th to the 18th century though the Grade II-listed building on the left with the grey-painted shop front is said to date from the early to mid-1800s. By the way, it is the street light that is slightly wonky rather than the picture!
Tags: Gloucestershire The Cotswold Chipping Campden High street, Chipping Campden buildings architecture street scenes
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This is the south side of the High Street in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. It is notable for its elegant terraced High Street, dating from the 14th century to the 18th century, and virtually every building is listed as being of historical significance. The High Street is lined with honey-coloured limestone buildings, built from the mellow locally quarried oolitic limestone known as Cotswold stone, and boasts a wealth of fine vernacular architecture. Much of the town centre is a Conservation Area which has helped to preserve the original buildings.
The building nearest the camera dates from 1720-30 and is a splendid Georgian town house. Next to it (just right of centre) the building was remodelled in 1798. Beyond that, Swan Antiques dates from the late 1600s though it was remodelled in the mid-1800s. All are listed buildings. And so it continues.
Tags: Gloucestershire The Cotswolds Chipping Campden listed buildings architecture Cotswold stone High Street, Chipping Campden
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Chipping Campden is a beautiful market town in the Cotswolds which originally became prosperous through the wool trade. At the centre of town stands the Grade I-listed Market Hall with its splendid arches, built in 1627 by Sir Baptist Hicks and still in use. The building was intended as a shelter for merchants and farmers selling their wares with the side walls open to allow light, and customers, to enter. There was a plan to sell the hall in the 1940s but locals raised funds to purchase the property and donated it to the National Trust.
Tags: Gloucestershire The Cotswolds Chipping Campden Grade I-listed buildings Market Hall architecture market buildings
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