The Cotswolds - Bourton on the Water

Charming villages and countryside, considered by many to be the essence of traditional England.

Bourton, one of many pretty villages to visit, is often referred to as "the Venice of the Cotswolds", on the strength of six picturesque bridges across the River Windrush. This is the Cotswold tourist venue par excellence, and the town is well adapted to handle the summer invasion, with pubs, coffee shops, ice cream parlours and eateries.

The grass verges along the Windrush become dusty and threadbare with the constant tramp of sneakers, but the surprising thing is that the town survives as well as it does and remains as pretty as it is.

The architecture is traditional Cotswold - stone roofs, gables here and there, mullioned windows, golden brown limestone throughout. It looks just like it looks in the picture of the model village above.

The surrounding area has much of interest to see and do. Bibury, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway and Chipping Campden to name but a few.