Why live in the Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is a most attractive, rural yet relatively affluent area. It is ideal
for commuters and families alike as there are some excellent schools and transport
links to London and the rest of the country are superb. Because it is one of the
prettiest areas in England, Gloucestershire also attracts those looking for second
homes or retirement. The area very much on the tourist route and of course it is
the chosen home county of HRH The Prince of Wales at Highgrove House near Tetbury
and The Princess Royal, Princess Anne at Gatcombe Park at Avening.
Cotswold stone built manor houses, farms and estates, old rectories, village houses,
farm houses and cottages are typical properties to be found in the area. Picturesque
properties in idyllic villages are ideal for second home owners.
The Area
The Cotswolds is known as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
the largest in England and Wales, and covers an area 25 miles across by 90 miles
long. The prosperity of the area can be traced back to its sheep farming history
in the Middle Ages however the Cotswolds history dates back more than 2,000 years.
There are many ancient and painstakingly preserved towns and villages nestling among
these hills and are richly endowed with the history and relics.
Cirencester, Cheltenham and Gloucester are all ancient Roman strongholds
as is the famous Fosse Way. The Cotswolds is the home of the Arts & Crafts movement
founded at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th Centuries by William Morris,
who occasionally lived in Broadway Tower. Many modern film makers have chosen The
Cotswolds as a backdrop to various dramas such as Harry Potter in Gloucester Cathedral,
David Tennant and David Morrissey were filmed in Dr Who in the grounds of Gloucester
Cathedral and Larkrise to Candelford was partly filmed at Chavenage House near Tetbury
together with an episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot with David Suchet.
Cirencester known as the "Capital Of The Cotswolds",
is an historic Roman town in the heart of the Cotswolds with attractions from a
Roman Amphitheatre to the nearby Chedworth Roman Villa.
It is a busy market town with a modern community, working and trading in a pleasing
setting. There are a wide variety of interesting independent shops together with
few high street regulars including M&S Simply Food, Phase 8, Boots, WH Smith
and Waitrose mostly housed within the charming period buildings. There is a thriving
arts centre, several bars, restaurants, cafés and hotels and the Market Place
is the setting for twice weekly markets, Christmas market and the Christmas lights
ceremony.
Cirencester Parish Church of St. John the Baptist in the Market Place is the largest
parish church in Gloucestershire. There are many thriving businesses in and around
Cirencester, including the Head Office of St James’ Place plc, Mitsubishi
cars, Corin Medical and Christian Brann Marketing.
The countryside and villages around Cirencester are picturesque
and lively, with thriving rural communities. One of the prettiest areas is the lovely
Coln Valley where the meandering River Coln weaves its ways through some of the
of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, with deep grassy valleys and
villages such as Ablington, Coln St Aldwyns, Coln St Dennis, Winson, Coln Rogers,
Barnsley, Calcot, Eastleach, Quenington and Southrop all bustle for closeness to
this pretty trout river. Bibury is one such charming, typically Cotswold, village
just a short drive from Cirencester. Bibury was once described by William Morris
as "the most beautiful village in England".
South West Gloucestershire remains a highly desirable location
for both commuters and families. It is a picturesque, largely rural area and its
villages nestle in valleys and woodlands with traditional Cotswold stone cottages
peppering the hillsides and winding roads. The landscape of South West Gloucestershire
has long been an inspiration to artists and writers. It was made especially famous
as the setting for Laurie Lee’s “Cider with Rosie”. Commuters
who choose to live in South West Gloucestershire are within easy reach of London,
the Midlands, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Bristol. What’s more, the area provides
excellent links to the North on the M5. Excellent schools make the area an ideal
choice for families with children of all ages.
South Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire is a more ‘down
to earth’ area than the more picturesque Cotswold valleys and hills. South
Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire is ideal for those who need fast, easy access
to London, Swindon, Bristol, South Wales or the Midlands. It is popular with families
because of the excellent schools in the area and it is also a favourite with smallholders
and those with equestrian interests.
There is easy access to London via the M4 or by rail. The ancient North Wiltshire
town of Malmesbury lies just six miles north of Junction 17 of the M4 on the southern
edge of the Cotswolds. To the west, the pretty rural villages of Sherston, Didmarton
and Badminton offer the best of country living.
Principal Cotswold towns: Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Burford,
Chipping Campden, Chipping Norton, Cirencester, Moreton-in-Marsh, Shipston-on-Stour,
Stow-on-the-Wold, Stroud, Tetbury, Winchcombe, Wotton-under-Edge.
Noteworthy historical structures: Arlington Row (Bibury), Beverston
Castle, Calcot Manor, Chavenage House, Chedworth Roman Villa, Cirencester Abbey,
Malmesbury Abbey, Owlpen Manor, Sudeley Castle, Tetbury Market Hall.