Our latest adventure in Peggy took us through the heart of the Cotswolds and into some of England’s most historic and beautifully preserved towns. From Shakespeare’s birthplace to honey-coloured stone villages and a few unexpected surprises along the way, it was a trip full of character, charm and plenty of wandering.
Our journey began in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town that feels like it belongs as much to history as it does to the present day. Sitting on the River Avon, Stratford is world-famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, born here in 1564. His legacy is everywhere you look, from timber-framed buildings to the busy streets filled with visitors from around the world.
We spent time walking through the town centre, enjoying the atmosphere and stopping to explore Shakespeare’s Birthplace itself. The house, carefully preserved and restored, offers a glimpse into Tudor life and the early years of one of the world’s greatest writers. Standing in the rooms where he once lived, it’s easy to imagine how the surroundings of Stratford might have inspired the plays and poetry that followed him across history.
From Stratford, we continued to Weston-on-Avon, a much quieter village just a short drive away. Here, the pace of life changed completely. With its peaceful lanes, riverside views and traditional cottages, Weston-on-Avon felt like a gentle pause after the bustle of Stratford. The River Avon itself winds calmly through the landscape, reflecting fields and sky in a way that feels almost timeless.
Our journey then took us deeper into the Cotswolds, beginning with Chipping Campden. Known for its elegant High Street lined with golden limestone buildings, Chipping Campden was once a wealthy centre of the medieval wool trade. The prosperity of that time is still visible today in its grand market hall, fine church and beautifully preserved buildings. It’s often described as one of the most perfect Cotswold towns—and it’s easy to see why.
From there we moved on to Moreton-in-Marsh, a traditional market town with a long history as a stopping point for travellers and traders. Sitting on the Fosse Way, a Roman road that once connected Exeter to Lincoln, the town has been welcoming visitors for nearly two thousand years. Today it still serves as a hub for the surrounding villages, with a lively market and wide high street that feels both historic and practical.
Next came Burford, often called the “gateway to the Cotswolds.” This hillside town is famous for its steep High Street lined with ancient stone buildings that seem to tumble down towards the River Windrush. Burford’s history stretches back to medieval times, and its old coaching inns and church hint at its importance as a trading and stopping point for travellers heading between Oxford and the west of England.
Finally, we arrived in Witney—and were genuinely surprised by just how large it is. Often thought of as a smaller Cotswold town, Witney turned out to be much bigger and livelier than expected. Historically, it was famous for its blanket-making industry, with wool production playing a major role in its growth from medieval times onwards. That industrial heritage still shapes parts of the town today, alongside a busy modern centre full of shops, markets and life.
After a full day of exploring, we reflected on how each stop along the way offered something completely different. From the global legacy of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, to the quiet charm of Weston-on-Avon, the historic elegance of Chipping Campden, the Roman-road roots of Moreton-in-Marsh, the steep beauty of Burford and the surprising scale of Witney, the journey through the Cotswolds was full of variety and character.
Once again, Peggy carried us through history, scenery and stories that seem to sit quietly in the landscape, waiting to be noticed.
Until the next adventure,
Peggy and Crew
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