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Tag Archives: Cotswolds

Blenheim Palace

26 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, History, Travel

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Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds, Woodstock

As we were leaving the Cotswolds this past summer we decided to take a detour and see Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s childhood home and a magnificent estate outside of Oxford.

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Home of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

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He lived here in his youth with his grandmother, and although his cousin inherited the estate, he always said he had fond memories of the palace.

The room in Blenheim where Winston was born.

The room in Blenheim where Winston was born.

Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill following his famous victory at the battle of Blenheim in 1704.

The entry foyer to Blenheim Palace.

The entry foyer to Blenheim Palace.

Just 8 miles from Oxford, in the town of Woodstock, Blenheim is magnificent.

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We were able to visit (and photograph!) the State Rooms filled with enchanting treasures from the last 300 years.

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One of the most amazing pieces of art for me, was the portrait of the family by John Singer Sergeant.  Can you just imagine.

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The dining room had magnificent examples trompe l’oeil.

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The Long Library was crowned with a huge organ at the end of the room.

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And just outside the main building is the chapel.

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The parkland design of over 2,000 acres was landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s, and although not one of the most dramatic I have seen in England, it certainly was tranquil.

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It switched between the very formal…

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and the rustic natural.

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We actually could see the first touches of autumn sneaking in to England on this early September morning.

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All in all, a very English day.

Leaving Blenheim.

Leaving Blenheim. All photos by me.

 

The Cotswolds and Burford

13 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in England, Travel

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Burford, Cotswolds, The Lamb

On a rainy English Monday afternoon last summer, we made our way in to Burford.

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It is a classic Cotswold town less than an hour from Oxford. The golden buildings with the rolling hills filled with sheep in the background are a dead giveaway…this is tea and scone country.

IMG_9892It was grey and dreary and we had our umbrella up, but it was still crowded with tourists.  This is what most visiting Americans want to see…their ideal of what a quaint English town should look like.

IMG_9911The shop windows didn’t disappoint, and can put a smile on your face of the cloudiest days.

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knickknacks and sweeties…just what the doctor ordered.

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Back to the rainy High Street, it was time to head to the hotel for check in.

IMG_9896We were staying at The Lamb Inn, on Sheep Street.  How cute is that?

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The Lamb Inn in Burford

The original building was probably associated with the priory back in the early 15th century, perhaps as a Dormy House for visitors in medieval times. Finally it became an inn around the mid 1600s when Burford was a flourishing market town with a strong coaching trade.IMG_9903

The steep stairs, and low head room are a clue to its age. The garden shows off the beautiful stone work.

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We have stayed with this group of hotels before…classic character buildings beautifully modernized.

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The Lamb was no exception.

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The decor was stunning.

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And the art throughout the inn and our room was charming and whimsical.

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Finally the sun came out, and it was time to make another pass through town.

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The pubs were open for business.

IMG_9919Each pub was draped with flowers. The flowers and gardens almost make all the rain and grey skies worth it.  There was a profusion of signs trying to attract business.

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Down a side street was the local church and school.  It all was very serene.

IMG_9926We finally decided on dinner in the pub at our own hotel, The Lamb.  I felt too guilty to order lamb from the menu with this little soul looking down on me.  I think it is a fish night.

The pub at The Lamb.

The pub at The Lamb. All photos by me.

 

 

Cows in the moonlight

04 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in Travel, Uncategorized

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Cotswolds, cows, Hare & Hounds

As we relaxed in our room at the Hare & Hounds (see last week’s post for all the details on this spectacular British country inn) in the Cotswolds last summer it was wonderful to watch the scene change through our window. We looked out of the front of hotel over a small field where cows moved back and forth. As the day disappeared, the moon came up, and it finally got dark as the cows disappeared…and a lone owl could be heard in the night.

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Hare and Hounds

28 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by pat in England, Travel, Uncategorized

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Cotswolds, Hare & Hounds, Tetbury

When we come to the Cotswolds, we often stay in Broadway at The Broadway Hotel.  This past year we stayed near Tetbury, and found a sister hotel of The Broadway — The Hare and Hounds.  We’ve always been pleased with this small chain, and the H&H didn’t disappoint.

IMG_8991It’s quite large, and has an adjoining wing that housed our room, and the Jack Hare pub.

IMG_8993These Cotswold properties have a reputation for taking classic historic properties with character and doing the interiors with a contemporary flair based on a local theme…

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…here, obviously, hares and hounds.

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The pub and bar and the more formal dining room were delightfully filled with the creatures. Plus we had one of the best breakfasts of the trip for me…salmon and scrambled eggs, lots of tea, toast and fruit)

IMG_8998One of my favorite things about these inns is the display of original art and prints throughout the hotel…from the restaurants to the hallways to the rooms and baths.

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IMG_8979Even the older prints look modern in this setting.

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A few of my absolute favorites in this inn were in our room…

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The hares on the walls were wonderful and full of character.

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Even in the bathroom there was a fanciful piece of art…

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You have to love a place that loves art and color so much.

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The perfect place to stay before our garden tour of Highgrove.

 

 

 

Tetbury, The Cotswolds

22 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by pat in Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Cotswolds, Tetbury

Last summer we decided to try a new area in the Cotswolds, and because we were gong to visit Highgrove Gardens, Prince Charles’ home, we decided to stay near Tetbury. It did not disappoint.

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It was not quite as quaint and perfect as the village of Broadway, where we usually stay in the Cotswolds.  But it had a real charm all its own.

IMG_8939The main streets were filled with all sorts of shops, and it is known for its antiques.

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It was interesting.  Very classic in style, and obviously an upscale market.  The shops were varied and seemed to cater to a country set.

IMG_8942There were also flowers everywhere…

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…for sale or just to make you feel good.

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A beautiful town with lots of character and…

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…full of surprises. I could walk from window to window and be impressed with the varied displays.

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A perfect morning in town strolling and window shopping before retiring to our Country Inn.

 

Winter at Highgrove

19 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by pat in Gardens, History, The Royal Family, Travel

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Cotswolds, Highgrove

Highgrove in the snow.

Highgrove in the snow.

I came across this photo this week as I was busy putting up our Christmas decorations…very appropriate with all the snow still crisscrossing our country.  This is Highgrove, Prince Charles’ home in The Cotswolds in England where he and Diana raised their two boys.

We toured the gardens this past summer, and they were spectacular.  This particular view is from the cow pastures which stretch out for miles in front of the home.  I loved the vines almost covering the front of the entry.  Mike and I lingered at this spot for quite a while just taking in the perfect English countryside.

Happy Holidays to all, and safe travels if you are going to visit loved ones.

 

Castle Combe

17 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by pat in England

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Castle Combe, Castle Inn, Cotswolds

On the edge of the Cotswolds, near Chippenham, is a place that is described as “The Prettiest Village in England”. They aren’t far wrong.

Walking down the hill from the parking lot to Castle Combe. Photo by me

We visited Castle Combe after a scenic half hour drive from Bath through rolling countryside with the idea of finding the perfect lunch spot.  We were exploring possibilities for a day trip during next year’s workshop. When we arrived we found we had to park at the top of a hill outside the village, for a long but beautiful walk in to town.

A thatched cottage that dates from the 18th century on the walk to Castle Combe. Photo by me

On one side of the hill were quaint cottages lining the road, on the other a wooded area with an active footpath where several people were taking their dogs out for a wild stroll in the mud.

A wisteria covered cottage. Photo by me

As we turned the last curve in to town, Castle Combe revealed itself in all its classic English honey-stone wonder.

The yellow stone so typical of the Cotswolds was evident all through the town. This is the view from the bottom of the high street looking back up. Photo by me

Everything was there. The church with old churchyard–The Parish Church of St. Andrew. The earliest reference to the church can be found in 1291.

The churchyard. Photo by me

The center of the village…St. Andrew’s in Castle Combe. Photo by me

It was also obviously the town center, with all sorts of notices for political actions, events and community dinners posted on its roadside notice board outside the gates. And there was the old post box next to it.  Notice the “GR” for George, rather than the “ER” on most modern postboxes for Elizabeth.  This is an old one.

An old post box outside the church gate. Photo by me

A large monument was in the center, where I’m sure they used to market the sheep. It is believed to date from the 14th century, “when the privilege to hold a weekly market was first granted.” The curved stone structure below it sometimes referred to as the “buttercross” was used for mounting and tethering horses.

The center of the village by me

This village is often used for filming. It is so traditionally old English. It was the center for the movie Warhorse which was filmed in the town. All the tea shops and country inns had photos marking the cinematic events.  Dr. Doolittle, Stardust and other films also filmed scenes here.

This could be anytime in the last few hundred years.  It is unchanged. Photo by me

Part of the reason the village is so timeless and lovely is that there are very few cars parked in town, no satellite dishes, no light poles and no overhead wires or antennas.

Every place you looked, there was no sign of modern time invading England’s rural splendor. Photo by me.

It looks very much as it might have many decades ago.

Tea shops, and houses along the high street. Photo by me

The requisite babbling brook meanders under town and spills out at the end of the high street and into the wooded fields. I’m sure many a sheep was washed in its waters. There are exquisite birds everywhere, and hidden gems behind each hedge.

Tucked behind a hedge, a lovely home. Photo by me.

But the highlight was The Castle Inn Hotel & Pub, smack dab in the middle of town with the door open and a lovely fire going inside.  It was so inviting after a bit of a chilly walk through town.

The Castle Inn with its cozy pub. Photo by me

We were greeted at the bar by one of the friendliest barmaids I have ever met in England and put our order in for hot tea, and a pint for the man in our party.

Photo by me

Then we sat down to peruse a menu that featured the classic pub food of a ploughman’s (a cold plate of meat, cheese, salad and pickles) and of course ham, chips and egg.

But it also had my choice of pasta with crushed tomatoes and grilled artichokes, and My Beloved Brit’s cousin’s choice of chicken risotto with tarragon.  I never took a photo of the food because my brain went dead when the food arrived and the smell wafted up in sweet steamy curls of delicious flavor and stunned my brain. It was the best meal I had all week.

The view from the pub window. Photo by me

Other people started coming in, heeding the sign to wipe their muddy boots at the door before heading towards the bar.  Soon the little pub was bubbling with talk and conversation about the villages comings and goings.

The bar on the left is the center of the long room. Photo by me

After a long, happy lunch, we then headed outside and up the long hill, perfectly satisfied with our day.

As we left the Inn, the fog was rolling in through the hills, and smoke was beginning to curl from some of the chimneys. Photo by me.

The walk back up to our car was quite pleasant after a full lunch and the days adventure. Castle Combe fully lived up to all our expectations.

A charming sign to warn drivers charging down the hill. Photo by me

 

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