The Cotswolds - a region of history and heritage

By Steve Hook Director

Unsplash photo by Liv Cashman, suggesting lifestyle or property insurance themes

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There’s much more to the Cotswolds than its famous scenery and countryside. Hidden behind this is a collection of golden villages, thatched cottages, evocative churches, and honey-coloured mansions. The Cotswolds is home to some breath-taking listed buildings, each with its own historic mark left for modern-day visitors to discover and enjoy.

Designated as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)” in 1966, the boundaries of The Cotswolds are open to debate, with every local having their own opinion on where the Cotswolds begins and ends. They mainly cover the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, extending into parts of Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Somerset.

Centuries ago, the Cotswolds were made wealthy by the wool trade, and the results of that wealth can be seen in the many fine manor houses and churches throughout the area. Here’s some insight into just a few of them:

Kelmscott Manor

Kelmscott Manor captured the heart of iconic designer William Morris, back in 1871. This 17th Century, Grade I listed limestone manor house sits on the banks of the Thames and remains totally unaltered, surrounded by stunning gardens and meadowland.

Unsplash photo by Magda Vrabetz, potentially related to home or lifestyle insurance

The Fleece Inn

The Fleece Inn is a Grade II listed traditional English pub. After being almost destroyed by a fire in 2004, the building has been carefully restored to retain its integrity and traditional features; the atmosphere and architecture have also remained unchanged. Having started life as a farmhouse, the building is now owned by the National Trust.

Sezincote House

It’s 18^th Century India meets the Cotswolds with this unique building. The traditional English countryside is not where you’d expect to find an Indian Palace, which is what makes Sezincote House so special. This Grade I listed country house was built over 200 years ago in the Mogal style of Rajasthan, complete with peacock-tail windows, jail-work railings, and pavilions.

St Mary’s Church

Often referred to as the “Queen of the Cotswolds”, St Mary’s Church in Painswick is Grade I listed with some parts dating back to 1377. The beautiful spire added in 1632 is what really catches the eye. Whatever direction you’re coming from, this is the first thing you’ll see when entering the village.

The Cotswolds is a region of unique beauty. It even has its own distinctive stone – a yellow oolite Jurassic limestone, which is rich in fossils and unique to the area.

As a home to a multitude of listed buildings, how could our team at Abode not pay a visit? We’ll be attending The Cotswold Show and Food Festival from 1 – 2 July, and we’d love for you to come and say hello!

Did you know?

‘Cotswolds’ is a combination of two very old English words. Everyone’s pretty much agreed that ‘Wolds’ are gentle hills. And most people agree that ‘Cots’ are sheep enclosures. So ‘Cotswolds’ probably just means an area of gentle hills with plenty of sheep around.

Live with character. Insure with confidence.

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