Britain – September 2019

84 BRITAIN http://www.britain-magazine.com

RURAL BRITAIN

PHOTOS:

©COTSWOLDS

PHOTO

LIBRARY/JULIA

GAVIN/ALAMY

resistant qualities. You can discover more about the

erstwhile industry in the 18th-century Witney Blanket

Hall, where locally woven blankets were once weighed

and measured, and on the Witney Wool & Blanket Trail.

Across the water meadow, you might also visit Cogges

historic farmstead, the lm location for Yew Tree Farm

in Downton Abbey.

A mile south, Ducklington has a tradition of Morris

dancing, including in its repertoire the apt, if provocatively

named, ‘Old Woman (Tossed Up in a Blanket)’. There’s

certainly a surge of energy in the lower reaches of the

Windrush Valley, with water sports, from kayaking to

waterskiing, available on the lakes of Hardwick Parks.

Or perhaps you might prefer the cosy comforts

of a log re and a drink at somewhere like the 16th-

century Rose Revived at Newbridge, casting your eye

over the River Thames that welcomes the Windrush

and beckons for another adventure.

THE PLANNER

GETTING THERE

The Cotswolds has a number of

well-served stations and is easily reached

from London Paddington (direct to

Moreton-in-Marsh, or with one change,

to Cheltenham). Journeys take 1hr 35min

to 2hr 25min. You would then need to

hire a car to get around. http://www.thetrainline.

com; http://www.rentalcars.com

WHERE TO STAY

The Swan Inn on the banks of

the Windrush at Swinbrook is a real treat,

with upmarket riverside and stable-block

bedrooms. Aside from its associations with

the Mitford sisters, The Swan provided the

location for Lady Sybil and Branson’s stay

as they planned their elopement in Downton

Abbey. http://www.theswanswinbrook.co.uk

WHERE TO EAT

Burford spoils nibblers for choice,

from proper shortcrust homemade pies

atTheRoyalOaktomouthwatering

cakesandclassicafternoonteasat

HuffkinsCotswoldsBakery& Café Tea

Rooms, which was established in Burford

c. 1890 (also now in Witney). http://www.

royaloakburford.co.uk; http://www.huffkins.com

FURTHER INFORMATION

http://www.cotswolds.com

The picturesque ruins

of Minster Lovell Hall stand

on the banks of the Windrush

Below: The 15th-century Old

Swan inn, Minster Lovell

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