One day in the Cotswolds

 

Tuesday

4/16

The Cotswolds: Elkstone, Sudeley Castle and grounds, Tewkesbury Abbey, Chipping Campden. -We only had one day to explore the Cotswolds. After a good breakfast, we started our day at Elkstone for St. John the Evangelist church. It’s also Norman and we were able to follow the guide and see all of its special features. Very pretty. -We drove to Sudeley Castle on back roads that were picturesque but tiny. Once we got there, husband didn’t like the looks of the place and since it was pricy, we bailed. -Tewkesbury Abbey was next. It was gorgeous! The guide and the signage in the church were very helpful. Amazing history there. We walked around the big-ish town for a little bit (stopped in that inn Charles Dickens wrote about) and should’ve had the haircut (lol, 12/9 GBP). -Next a longer drive through typically tiny roads chosen by the GPS to Chipping Campden. The drive was scenic and the town was just absolutely charming. Our first stop was at the Bantam Tea Room for cream tea (plus rose champagne for me). The scones were a little hard but tasty with jam and clotted cream. -Afterwards, we just walked around, admiring everything. We stopped in and visited St. James Church. It had medieval altar hangings (15C) and ?cassock? under blue wraps. Most people missed them, like we did on our first visit, lol. Very pretty church. -A slow wander back to the car via the Ernest Wilson Garden (pictures look 3D) and a chat with a 90 year old resident (he liked that we were holding hands and that my hair matched my shirt and scarf). He and his wife moved there after years in London and the North. He said he doesn’t have any trouble with the kids wanting to visit since Chipping Campden is so nice. -Back to the Fox at Barrington for the night. Bar for drinks and a nice dinner.

Fox at Barrington