6 minute read
Cotswolds driving route
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.
Distance:
57.3 miles
Driving time:
1 hour 40 mins
Recommended travel time:
1 day
Blenheim Palace
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.
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 luscious green fields on either side of you, and an arrow-straight road leading you directly towards the small village of Stonesfield. You’ll find a number of quaint countryside villages and towns along your way; from Stonesfield, your route will take you through the centre of Fawler, then up to the town of Charlbury. The roads between each location are fairly easy to navigate, with scenery to enjoy on either side of the road. If you’re feeling peckish, stop off at one of the inns at Charlbury for some traditional pub food. For history enthusiasts, Ascot d’Oilly Castle is located just under 5 miles away from the centre of Charlbury. From Charlbury, your route will continue along the B4437 until you reach the right turn for Pudlincote Lane and head towards the small village of Churchill. Here, the road will move from a B-road to a country lane, so from this point it becomes slightly narrower – be aware of any blind bends and oncoming vehicles. Once you reach Churchill, you may want to stop off and visit the Churchill and Sarsden Heritage Centre, which tells the history of a ‘lost’ village that burned down in a fire in 1684.
Stow-on-the-Wold is another great place to stop during your drive, with a car park near the main square. The town has a beautifully historic market square, plenty of
Stow-on-the-Wold
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Your drive will then continue southward on the A429. The road here is easy to navigate and quite scenic in itself, with a beautiful canopy of trees overhead. Just over 4 miles away, you’ll approach Bourton-on-the-Water, which is home to the highly rated Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection. The museum promises a great visit for those who enjoy motoring history, and features a look through the motoring timeline of the 20th century. You can also visit the famous Model Village, which is only a stone’s throw from the museum.
From Bourton-on-the-Water, continue your drive on the A429 towards Perrott’s Brook. The 14-mile stretch between both locations is very straight, with serene countryside views. Once you turn right towards Perrott’s Brook, however, the road becomes slightly narrower. If you fancy parking up and stretching your legs, you could stop at Cerney House Gardens, a beautiful 3.5 acre walled garden which is open to the public every day of the week. Just a short distance away, you may also want to stop off at Cirencester, home to the Corinium Museum.
Your route will finish in the idyllic village of Amberley. If you’d like a bite to eat at the end of your drive, The Amberley Inn is a local favourite,
Bourton-on-Water model village
offering an award-winning menu with produce sourced from local farms. Amberley is also well-known for its golf course, which is only a minute or so from the end point of your route, and well worth a visit for any interested golfers.
Please note parts of this journey may not be suitable for motorhomes, please check route before departing. This article was kindly supplied by Heritage Car Insurance, www heritagecarinsurance.co.uk
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