Curiosities in the Cotswolds

A gentle, laid back tour of the Cotswolds villages looking at the odd, unusual and bizarre aspects of village life in addition to admiring the beauty of the warm Cotswold stone cottages.

guides us round the North Cotswolds starting at the most well-known popular village, Bourton-on-the-Water and moving gently around the area including Adlestrop, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Norton, Stanway, Winchcombe and Blockley before ending with a relaxed, lingering view of my favourite village - Lower Slaughter.

A very large Victorian gothic drinking fountain built in 1870 to provide fresh water for the village

This set of stocks is unique for its seven holes.
The local folk will tell you that, when the stocks were built, an extra leg-hole was added for a one legged criminal who lived in town.
Do you believe them?

A very old "Handing" post erected in 1669 for the benefit of stage coach drivers.
On one side of the arm is the name of the town and the other side shows the mileage.

Phyllis Humphries was a Rat Catcher by trade travelling with husband John from town to town earning the odd crust or two.

The station nameplate and a platform bench now reside in the village shelter.
"Yes - I remember Adlestrop ........."

The Four Shire Stone.
Four counties used to meet at exactly this spot.
Nowadays, only three meet here.
Which one have we lost?

A carved grotesque on the wall of the church.
This is supposed to be the Mayor of Winchcombe when the church was built.

Another grotesque, this time we are looking at the devil.
What was the point of these hideous carvings?

In the wall of the Talbot Inn, this was for use by the farmers who posted corn sale returns for taxation purposes.

The Russell Spring
"Water from the living rock God's precious gift to man."

Moreton Town Council did not like travelling fair grounds in town so decided to charge them an arm and a leg for the privilege.

This is pure magic.
It's on the front wall of The Plough.
Must pop in there next time I'm in the area.
Quite fancy the idea of quaffing a jar of nut brown ale.

A beautiful, unspoilt village - a highlight of any visit to the area.
If you like Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields, make sure you call in at the Mill - fascinating.

A lovely village but over-commercialised.
This picture was taken in November after the crowds had left.
Visit in December and admire the Christmas tree in the centre of the river.

takes us around the South Cotswolds starting at the area around Northleach and proceeding south-west through Fairford, South Cerney, Painswick and Bisley down to Wootton-under-Edge and Hawkesbury before returning to the ever popular Bibury and Arlington Row for a final look at the beauty which is The Cotswolds.

A beautiful octagonal pumphouse dating back to 1828.
Its original thatched roof was replaced with cotswold tiles in 1935 by the citizens of Farmington, USA.

Click on the thumbnail to reveal "Tiddles the Church Cat" who died in 1980.

A fascinating memorial within Sherborne Church.
An angel, a medallion and a skeleton rising from his tomb.
It must mean something to somebody ! !

Close up of the skeleton with a bit of a silly grin on his face.
What can he see from down there?

The mansion that was never finished.
An interesting Victorian building site giving an insight in to building techniques and skills of the Victorians.

A wonderful name for a village pub with a pub sign showing the annual hunt on Cat and Custard Pot Day.
What a load of Jorrocks ! !

The Churchyard is famous for its clipped yew trees.
There are 99 trees at the last count.
You want 100?
The devil - he say "No"

The vicar here was obviously not a dog lover and he preferred his lady parishioners to take their pattens off.
Heavens above ! !

Why is Betty's Grave at this crossroads?
Was she a teenage girl in Victorian England who had a baby?
Or was she a tramp who just happened to die here?

Old Father Thames used to sit in the woods at Trewsbury Mead but he was vandalised more than once.
He now reposes at St Johns Lock.

Any one looking for trouble?
You will find it at The Trouble House.
The pub sign says it all.

The home of Pitman shorthand.
But his original name for his system seems to have fallen out of use.
Reminds me of something ! !

The Swan Hotel provides a fitting backdrop to this enchanting scene.
The village includes a trout farm, visitor centre and Arlington Row (see opposite).

Arlington Row must be the most photographed cottages in England.
My picture concentrates on the undulating roof line.