OUT & ABOUT
Cotswolds En route to Somerset from the north? Or just looking for an easy day trip nearby? This Cotswolds driving route is perfect for extending your trip and taking in the largest AONB in both England and Wales.
Blenheim Palace
Distance: 57.3 miles
Driving time: 1 hour 40 mins
The route Your route will begin along the A44, and follow the road towards the north-eastern part of the Cotswolds. Upon entering the Cotswolds area, you’ll first drive past the grounds of Blenheim Palace, which is a great place to visit at the start of your journey. The Palace is a World Heritage Site, and famous for being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, as well as featuring in a few well-known films such as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Spectre, and The Avengers. Why not try and work your way around the Marlborough Hedge Maze too – although you may want to set aside some extra time for that one! Your drive will continue along the A44, before you’ll take a left turn on the B4437. There’s a petrol station on the corner here which could be a good place to fill up along your route. The drive is a scenic one, with
Recommended travel time: 1 day
Known for: The quaint villages and idyllic market towns of the Cotswolds make this one of the most scenic driving routes in the country. There aren’t any tricky roads to watch out for along the way and, although it can get slightly narrow in places, the route is pleasant and straightforward.
From Charlbury, your luscious green fields on route will continue along either side of you, and the B4437 until you an arrow-straight reach the right turn road leading you for Pudlincote Lane directly towards and head towards the small village the small village of Stonesfield. of Churchill. Here, You’ll find the road will move a number from a B-road to a of quaint country lane, so from countryside villages this point it becomes and towns along your Stow-on-the-Wold slightly narrower – be aware way; from Stonesfield, of any blind bends and oncoming your route will take you through vehicles. Once you reach Churchill, the centre of Fawler, then up to you may want to stop off and visit the town of Charlbury. The roads the Churchill and Sarsden Heritage between each location are fairly easy Centre, which tells the history of a to navigate, with scenery to enjoy ‘lost’ village that burned down in a on either side of the road. If you’re fire in 1684. feeling peckish, stop off at one Stow-on-the-Wold is another of the inns at Charlbury for some great place to stop during your traditional pub food. For history drive, with a car park near the main enthusiasts, Ascot d’Oilly Castle is square. The town has a beautifully located just under 5 miles away from historic market square, plenty of the centre of Charlbury.
46 MOTOR CARAVANNER November 2021
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