Bourton-on-the-Water

United_Kingdom

a scene along the river Windrush, Bourton Bourton-on-the-Water is in the Cotswolds on the Fosseway (the A429) about 25 km north of Cirencester.

River Windrush Famed for its picturesque High Street. Lying on the meandering River Windrush with several low arched stone bridges resulted in the village becoming known as "Venice of the Cotswolds". With a population of around 3,300, it is a large village whereas nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford with smaller populations are both "Market Towns".

The River Windrush source, 10 miles from the village, is fed by springs and thus continues to flow even in severe drought.

There is evidence of habitation dating back to neolithic times (4,000 BC), habitation continuing through to Roman times (Roman pottery and coins found in the village show extended Roman occupation). Christian occupation dates back to 709 AD when a wooden church was built. In 1110 a stone Normal church was built; today only the chancel (from 1328) remains.

Today almost all buildings are of 17th-century origin, mostly built using Cotswold limestone characteristic of the area.

Cotswold Motor Museum Bourton is quite attractive as a family destination. The river Windrush flows through the village, next to the main street. In the charming centre you'll find a lot of attractions, including:

  • Model Village, The Old New Inn, GL54 2AF. A miniature version of Bourton at 1:9th of the scale (with also a miniature of the miniature of the....)
  • Birdland Park and Gardens, Rissington Rd, GL54 2BN, +44 1451 820480.
  • Dragonfly Maze.
  • Cotswold Motor Museum & Toy Collection, The Old Mill, GL54 2BY.
  • The Old Mill, Mill Lane, Lower Slaughter GL54 2HX (2 miles N of Bourton-on-the-Water, +44 1451 820052. Mar-Oct: daily 10AM-6PM (tea room & café until 5PM); Nov-Feb: daily 10AM-dark.

Model Village, The Old New Inn, GL54 2AF. A miniature version of Bourton at 1:9th of the scale (with also a miniature of the miniature of the....)

Birdland Park and Gardens, Rissington Rd, GL54 2BN, +44 1451 820480.

Dragonfly Maze.

Cotswold Motor Museum & Toy Collection, The Old Mill, GL54 2BY.

The Old Mill, Mill Lane, Lower Slaughter GL54 2HX (2 miles N of Bourton-on-the-Water, +44 1451 820052. Mar-Oct: daily 10AM-6PM (tea room & café until 5PM); Nov-Feb: daily 10AM-dark.

  • Oxfordshire Way. Walk the start of this long distance walking route, maybe going for ten miles to Shipton-under-Wychwood, or continue and walk the full 68 miles to Henley-on-Thames.
  • Bloody Bourton Walking Tour, +44 7954 182016 (mobile). Nov to Apr, book in advance. Tickets are available from the Visitors Information Centre.
  • Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre, College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN, +44 1451 821101.
  • Cotswold Brewing Company, College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN, +44 1451 824488. Shop: M-F 10AM-4PM. One of the oldest lager microbreweries in the UK

Oxfordshire Way. Walk the start of this long distance walking route, maybe going for ten miles to Shipton-under-Wychwood, or continue and walk the full 68 miles to [[Henley-on-Thames]].

Bloody Bourton Walking Tour, +44 7954 182016 (mobile). Nov to Apr, book in advance. Tickets are available from the Visitors Information Centre.

Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre, College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN, +44 1451 821101.

Cotswold Brewing Company, College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN, +44 1451 824488. Shop: M-F 10AM-4PM. One of the oldest lager microbreweries in the UK

Shop in the small shops.

  • Bakery on the Water, 1 Sherborne St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BY, +44 1451 822748. Daily 8AM-5PM.
  • Cotswold Perfumery, Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BU, +44 1451 820698. M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su 10:30AM-5PM.
  • Cotswold Candle Makers, Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BX, +44 1451 824285.
  • Londis, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AQ, +44 1451 822055. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 8AM-9PM.
  • The Cotswold Pottery, Clapton Row, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2DN, +44 1451 820173. M-Sa 10:30AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM (check 1st).
  • The Victorian Christmas Shop, High St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AP, +44 1451 822622. Daily Apr-Dec. Sells Christmas items for around the world, figurines and ornaments.
  • Sweet Treats & Gifts, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AE, +44 1451 820639. Apr-Sep: daily 10AM-5PM; Oct-Mar: daily noon-4PM.

Bakery on the Water, 1 Sherborne St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BY, +44 1451 822748. Daily 8AM-5PM.

Cotswold Perfumery, Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BU, +44 1451 820698. M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su 10:30AM-5PM.

Cotswold Candle Makers, Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BX, +44 1451 824285.

Londis, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AQ, +44 1451 822055. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 8AM-9PM.

The Cotswold Pottery, Clapton Row, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2DN, +44 1451 820173. M-Sa 10:30AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM (check 1st).

The Victorian Christmas Shop, High St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AP, +44 1451 822622. Daily Apr-Dec. Sells Christmas items for around the world, figurines and ornaments.

Sweet Treats & Gifts, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AE, +44 1451 820639. Apr-Sep: daily 10AM-5PM; Oct-Mar: daily noon-4PM.

A couple of pubs do food and drink

  • The Duke of Wellington, Sherbourne St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BY (From the centre of town, head up Sherbourne Street, next to river. After 100 yards the pub will appear on your right, over a bridge., +44 1451 820539. Pub: M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10:30PM; food: daily noon-9PM. Mediocre pub
  • The Chestnut Tree, 1 Chestnuts, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AN, +44 1451 820474. Tea rooms: 10AM-5PM; restaurant: call for booking.
  • The Croft, Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BS, +44 1451 821132. Daily 9AM-evening.
  • Aroma, Station Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AA, +44 1451 810600. Tu-Su 5-11PM.

The Duke of Wellington, Sherbourne St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BY (From the centre of town, head up Sherbourne Street, next to river. After 100 yards the pub will appear on your right, over a bridge., +44 1451 820539. Pub: M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10:30PM; food: daily noon-9PM. Mediocre pub

The Chestnut Tree, 1 Chestnuts, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AN, +44 1451 820474. Tea rooms: 10AM-5PM; restaurant: call for booking.

The Croft, Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BS, +44 1451 821132. Daily 9AM-evening.

Aroma, Station Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AA, +44 1451 810600. Tu-Su 5-11PM.

  • Kingsbridge, Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BS, +44 1451 824119.
  • The Old New Inn, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AF, +44 1451 820467. Summer: daily 11AM-5:30PM.
  • Mary's Rest, Moore Rd, Bourton-on-the-water G L54 2AZ, +44 1451 798941. Tu-Su from noon.
  • Green & Pleasant Tea Rooms, Windrush Cottage Shop, Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2DP, +44 1451 821911.
  • The Plough, Cold Aston Nr. Northleach GL54 3BN (2½ miles W of Bourton-on-the-Water, +44 1451 822602. Mar: M 6-11PM, Tu-Th noon-3PM & 6-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-11PM; food: Tu-Sa 12:30-2:30PM & 6:30-9PM, Su 12:30-3PM.

Kingsbridge, Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BS, +44 1451 824119.

The Old New Inn, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AF, +44 1451 820467. Summer: daily 11AM-5:30PM.

Mary's Rest, Moore Rd, Bourton-on-the-water G L54 2AZ, +44 1451 798941. Tu-Su from noon.

Green & Pleasant Tea Rooms, Windrush Cottage Shop, Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2DP, +44 1451 821911.

The Plough, Cold Aston Nr. Northleach GL54 3BN (2½ miles W of Bourton-on-the-Water, +44 1451 822602. Mar: M 6-11PM, Tu-Th noon-3PM & 6-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-11PM; food: Tu-Sa 12:30-2:30PM & 6:30-9PM, Su 12:30-3PM.

  • Post Office, High Street, Bourton-On-The-Water GL54 2AG. M-F 7AM-5:45PM, Sa Su 7AM-5PM.

Post Office, High Street, Bourton-On-The-Water GL54 2AG. M-F 7AM-5:45PM, Sa Su 7AM-5PM.