Cotswold Arts and Crafts

Your tour guide will meet you at 12pm to welcome you to the Cotswolds and provide an introduction to the week ahead. We make our way to Kelmscott for lunch at a local country pub to discuss the week ahead. It is a short walk to Kelmscott Manor, a summer retreat shared by William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti from 1871. The house is a natural, 'organic' example of traditional crafts in perfect harmony with its surroundings, and the gardens gave Morris inspiration for his textile designs. You have the chance to see the newly refurbished rooms as they may have appeared in William Morris's day. Further history awaits us as we discover the Cotswold Woollen Weavers centre at Filkins and learn about the wool trade and it's legacy of fine manor houses and architecture. Overnight in Cirencester for 3 nights.

Group dinner included.

Free time in Cirencester to explore the Roman Corinium museum or the town itself with its weekly market. We set off for Arts and Crafts designed Selsley church with stained glass windows from Morris, Burne-Jones and Rossetti among others. After lunch we visit Rodmarton Manor, which is one of the last great examples of an Arts and Crafts House designed and built under the stewardship of Ernest and Sydney Barnsley. The gardens are equally appealing and designed in the same fashion and offering a wonderful backdrop to the Marlborough Downs. Overnight in Cirencester.

Lunch included.

We start the day in Cheltenham for a guided tour of the impressive Arts and Crafts collection at the newly renovated Wilson museum. Free time in Broadway to admire the historic high street and after lunch we complete our tour of Arts and Crafts exhibitions with the Gordon Russell museum and its fine collection of furniture. Overnight in Chipping Campden for 3 nights.
Lunch and group dinner included.

We begin our day by admiring the fine views from Broadway Tower that stretch across the Vale of Evesham and on into Wales. The tower or folly was often used as a holiday retreat by William Morris and Sir Edward Burne-Jones. We start our walk at Hailes Abbey and enjoy the open countryside as we weave our way to Stanway House for our picnic lunch and tour of the house. After lunch we stroll on to Stanton which is one of the best preserved Cotswold villages and it's links to John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism. Overnight in Chipping Campden.

We begin our day by walking to one of the greatest Arts and Crafts inspired gardens in England, Hidcote Manor gardens. It was devised by an American, Major Lawrence Johnston. Laid out in a series of outdoor 'rooms' the garden contains many rare plants. Nearby is Kiftsgate Court gardens for lunch. The steeply landscaped setting has inspired three generations of female gardeners and was instrumental in providing ideas for the formation of Hidcote. Taxi transfer back to Chipping Campden.

Lunch and group dinner included.

Vivienne is a former nurse and lawyer and inspired by her mother has gardened since childhood. She has created 5 wonderful gardens in the various houses where she has lived.

Following retirement from full time work she was elected chairman of Hardy Plant Society, a Charity in U.K. with over 7000 members. She was Chairman for 4 years but now enjoys more time in her own garden. Vivienne is also a Cotswold Voluntary Warden leading many town and country walks throughout the seasons.

Having spent many years as a tour guide for an international travel company finding a career closer to home that was going offer the same rewarding experience was not easy. That opportunity arose when the previous owners of Cotswold Walks were looking for someone to take over the running of the company in 2007. Having successfully grown the company ever since and chosen to specialise in the Cotswold, we have never looked back. Living in the Cotswolds, my passion for guiding walking or cycling tours, enables me to get out of the office as much as possible to meet clients. I hope to see you soon should you wish to join us on one of our wonderful adventures.