Page 80 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

78 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

VISITING CIRENCESTER
Parking
There are plenty of car parks close to
the centre of town and Market Square.
Tourist information
Corinium Museum, Park Street, GL7 2BX;
01285 654 180; www.cirencester.co.uk
WHERE TO STAY
CIRENCESTER
The Fleece Hotel moderate
This rambling old inn at the heart of
town is an atmospheric place to stay.
Some rooms are on the small side, but
all are functional and pleasant. There is
a bar, a restaurant and a patio for drinks. Above The village of Northleach, built of traditional Cotswold stone
Market Place, GL7 2NZ; 01285 658 507;
www.thwaites.co.uk
1 Cirencester (closed Dec & Jan) inhabited from the
BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER Gloucestershire; GL7 2BX 2nd to 4th centuries AD. Vivid mosaics,
Chester House Hotel moderate This relaxed market town’s importance underfloor heating systems, plunge
This small, traditional-looking hotel has in Roman Britain – it was the second pools and the latrine, can be seen
a relaxed atmosphere with modern largest town – is revealed in the while audioguides fill in the history.
decor and genial staff. Rooms are all Corinium Museum (open daily; Sun The grounds make a nice picnic area.
fresh and airy, some with a four-poster
bed. Family rooms are also available. closed am). The town kept its wealth ª Follow signs for Yanworth, then for
Victoria Street, GL54 2BS; 01451 820 in the medieval era, as can be seen in Northleach. Park in the centre of town.
286; www.chesterhousehotel.com the huge church of St John the
Baptist – the south porch 3 Northleach
STOW-ON-THE-WOLD with fan vaulting dates from
The Limes inexpensive Gloucestershire; GL54 3ET
Simple Victorian B&B run by a friendly 1490. The church dominates This unassuming village has
young couple on the northern Market Square, home to one one of the finest Cotswold
outskirts of Stow, on the A424 (a of the biggest markets in the “wool churches”. The oldest
5-minute walk from the centre). There Cotswolds. Visit New Brewery Stone relief, parts of St Peter and St Paul
are six guest rooms and a lovely garden. Arts (Jan & Feb: closed Sun) for Corinium Museum date from around 1300, and
Evesham Road, GL54 1EJ; 01451 830
034; www.thelimescotswolds.co.uk shops, events and workshops. on the floor, brasses show
ª Follow the A429 (Stow Road) north merchants, with sheep, woolpacks
Stow Lodge Hotel moderate
Country-style accommodation in to Stow-in-the-Wold for about 8 km and many children. Look out for the
the heart of Stow, with a perfectly (5 miles). Turn left at the signpost for carved corbels (stone brackets) in
groomed garden overlooking the Chedworth Roman Villa, then continue the porch, depicting such images as
main square, good food, and a to follow the signs to the villa and the angels and a cat playing a fiddle. On
comfortable lounge with a log fire. on-site car park. the High Street, Keith Harding’s World
The Square, GL54 1AB; 01451 830 485;
www.stowlodgehotel.co.uk of Mechanical Music (open daily) is
2 Chedworth Roman Villa well worth a visit, displaying an array
MORETON-IN-MARSH Yanworth, Gloucestershire; GL54 3LJ of period pieces, ably explained and
Redesdale Arms inexpensive Nestled amid woods, this absorbing demonstrated on a guided tour.
This old coaching inn has cosy log fires site, discovered in 1864, displays part ª Take the A429 following signs for
and well-equipped rooms with clean,
modern bathrooms. Breakfasts are of the bath houses and dining areas of Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-
excellent and tasty meals are served a substantial Romano-British villa the-Water. Park off Rissington Road.
in the bar or restaurant.
High Street, GL56 0AW; 01608 650 308;
www.redesdalearms.com
Manor House Hotel expensive
Old but charming and well-maintained,
this hotel on the main street has period
furniture and modern fixtures. Staff are
courteous and attentive, and Mulberry’s
Restaurant rustles up first-class meals.
High Street, GL56 0LJ; 01608 650 501;
www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk
Near right St John the Baptist Church at the
heart of Cirencester Far right Chedworth
Roman Villa: dining room mosaics
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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