The Cotswolds runs through five countries namely Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire and covers an area of almost 800 square miles. There are various areas with their own identity, yet compromising the defining Cotswold features which are golden stone and the rolling hills.
From English villages of honey-colored stone, lively market towns to marvelous castles, country houses to the beautiful landscape along with historic tails to lake land area with its inland beach, Cotswold has it all. With more than 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways and ancient woodlands, Cotswold has a lot to offer. The landscape of Cotswold provides a rich harvest of food and drinks. There are a lot of colorful cafes, old inns, fine dining restaurants, gastro pubs scattered across the region.
Some of the famous structures are listed below:
1. Sezincote house
Sezincote House is the center of a country estate in England. Designed by Samuel Cockerell, it is a notable example of Neo-Mughal architecture. The house is dominated by its red sandstone color and features a copper-covered dome. In a sequence of extra-large windows with the arch shape at the top, the fenestration is composed. The arch is a shell-like fan that is inspired by the Mughals.
The interior design is typical European style. A renaissance-style garden with elements of Hindu style is designed by Humphry Repton. A unique combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture which is also known as “Indian Style” perfectly describes the Sezincote house.
2. Royal Crescent
A row of 30 terraced houses laid in a sweeping crescent forms the Royal Crescent. Built between 1767 and 1774, it is one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture that is found in the United Kingdom. The stone façade is still as beautiful as ever. The 500-foot long crescent has 114 ionic columns on the first floor. An entablature of Palladian style runs above it.
There are 30 townhouses in the crescents, 10 out of which are full-size townhouses, 18 have been split into flats of various sizes. One of these is converted in Roal Crescent museum and one of them is converted in Royal Crescent Hotel and spa.
3. Chastleton House
Built between 1607 and 1612, Chastleton house is an impressive statement of wealth and power of a wool merchant. This Church explores a fascinating space that is the informal and timeless atmosphere in a glorious setting. This house takes one back in time.
Seasonal concerts, garden parties, family events take place in this house. This house is very fragile hence the number of visitors is limited.
4. Arlington Row
Built in the late 14th century, Arlington Row is located in Gloucestershire, England. This was built as a wool store and later in the 17th century was converted to a weaver’s house. Arlington row is now an architectural conservation area and a popular tourist attraction. It has also been used as a film and television location. These buildings are made of limestone and are two-storeyed in height. They have gables below the cruck roof and are covered with slate.
5. The Fleece Inn
The Fleece Inn is located in the center of the village of Bretforton. Originally it was built as a longhouse. After the devastating fire of 2004, it was restored to its natural glory. It is home to England’s oldest pewter collection. The Fleece has several historic features and countless memories to be offered.
This place is a hive of activities. It is a wedding value with the perfect space for receptions, parties, and also corporate events. Many music events, open mics are hosted by the Fleece. It is a perfect countryside gateway.
6. Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral, also known as Cathedral Church of St Peter and Holy and invisible Trinity is located in Gloucester, England. It stands in the north of the city near the River Severn. This cathedral has a stained glass window that depicts the earliest images of golf. To reduce the carbon emission, the church added solar installations to it.
This Cathedral, 1000 years old, is the oldest building in the world to have undergone a solar installation.
7. Chavenage house
Chavenage House is a country house built in 1576. It is constructed of Cotswold stone with a Cotswold stone tiled roof. It has an E-shaped plan and is constructed of rubble stone with a stone slate roof with two stories and attics. This is built in the Renaissance style.
8. Westorbit house and garden
Westorbit house is a country house located in Gloucestershire, England. Constructed in high-quality ashlar masonry on a grand scale, the exterior is in an Elizabethan style. The interiors of the house are in a sumptuous classical style. The house had the latest technology such as fireproof construction, gaslighting, etc.
Extensive formal terrace gardens of ornamental woodlands are a part of this house. The house is open to the public for a few days and the gardens are more frequently open. Civil ceremonies and weddings are held in this house.
9. Cheltenham town hall
Cheltenham Townhall is a public town hall located in Cheltenham, England. Designed by architect Frederick William Waller in the classical style, the total cost of the building was around £45,000. This hall is now used for concerts, meetings, exhibitions, balls, conferences and is a major home of Cheltenham festivals.
10. St. Laurence Church
St. Laurence has been a place of worship for over 600 years. The wall paintings from the 15th century, an early English pulpit decorated with panels of blind tracery, a 17th-century pulpit with an unusual silk cloth of silk velvet, and numerous bale tombs are some features that make it very interesting.
