From Cornwall to the Cotswolds, that delightful English region of rolling green hills, winding country lanes, and quaint villages with names like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow on the Wold, and Chipping Campden.

Curious though they be, those names have a basis in logic. As does the word ‘Cotswolds’ itself – ‘cots’ are sheep enclosures and ‘wolds’ are hills. Cots-wolds. Sheep enclosures among the hills. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

 

If you had to have a stab at how Bourton-on-the-Water got its name, where would you start? :)
If you had to have a stab at how Bourton-on-the-Water got its name, where would you start? 🙂
Straddling the River Windrush, the village is known for its low bridges and traditional stone houses.
Straddling the River Windrush, the village is known for its low bridges and traditional stone houses.
 
We had a short window to explore the Cotswolds - just a single day really - so we hit the highlights of this beautiful part of the country.
We had a short window to explore the Cotswolds - just a single day really - so we hit the highlights of this beautiful part of the country.
And what we found were some extraordinarily lovely places ...
And what we found were some extraordinarily lovely places ...
... and clear evidence of gardeners who know how to wield a set of topiary shears.
... and clear evidence of gardeners who know how to wield a set of topiary shears.
We'd been expecting to see the Cotswolds' rolling green hills, but we weren't quite prepared for just how lovely this landscape was.
We'd been expecting to see the Cotswolds' rolling green hills, but we weren't quite prepared for just how lovely this landscape was.
 
Dry stone walls are a feature here, many of them hundreds of years old and still doing the job.
Dry stone walls are a feature here, many of them hundreds of years old and still doing the job.
Every small village is made up of houses like these - chocolate box beauty everywhere you look.
Every small village is made up of houses like these - chocolate box beauty everywhere you look.
Lower Slaughter.
Lower Slaughter.
Nothing to do with killings, the name comes from an Old English word meaning 'muddy crossing'.
Nothing to do with killings, the name comes from an Old English word meaning 'muddy crossing'.
This is Donnington Brewery. The Arkell family began brewing here in 1865.
This is Donnington Brewery. The Arkell family began brewing here in 1865.
Tastings here work on an honesty system - choose a beer from the (not cold) fridge and drop your coins into the box provided.
Tastings here work on an honesty system - choose a beer from the (not cold) fridge and drop your coins into the box provided.
Greg and Mark, our excellent and knowledgeable driver - himself Cotswolds born and bred - proving the system works.
Greg and Mark, our excellent and knowledgeable driver - himself Cotswolds born and bred - proving the system works.
This is Hart Silversmiths workshop in Chipping Campden.
This is Hart Silversmiths workshop in Chipping Campden.
In 1912, George Hart came up from London and established the Guild here.
In 1912, George Hart came up from London and established the Guild here.
Today, the third generation of Harts continue the tradition.
Today, the third generation of Harts continue the tradition.
It's an extraordinary place.
It's an extraordinary place.
This is William Hart. Those spikes in the ceiling above William's head are where the customer receipts are stored - 111 years' worth.
This is William Hart. Those spikes in the ceiling above William's head are where the customer receipts are stored - 111 years' worth.
And that document on the wall certifies that "William David Hart of the Guild, Sheep Street, Chipping Camden - the son of David Thomas Hart was this day ... admitted into the Freedom of the Mystery of Goldsmiths of the City of London."
And that document on the wall certifies that "William David Hart of the Guild, Sheep Street, Chipping Camden - the son of David Thomas Hart was this day ... admitted into the Freedom of the Mystery of Goldsmiths of the City of London."
The silversmiths here are more than willing to down tools and tell you about the history and their work.
The silversmiths here are more than willing to down tools and tell you about the history and their work.
This was one of our favourite places in the Cotswolds.
This was one of our favourite places in the Cotswolds.
The name Chipping Campden comes from the old English word 'ceping', meaning 'market'.
The name Chipping Campden comes from the old English word 'ceping', meaning 'market'.
There are more than 270 listed buildings in the village, including the market square which dates from 1627.
There are more than 270 listed buildings in the village, including the market square which dates from 1627.
Entry to the Church of St James in Chipping Campden.
Entry to the Church of St James in Chipping Campden.
And St Barnabas church in the tiny village of Snowshill.
And St Barnabas church in the tiny village of Snowshill.
Stow on the Wold - the village name comes from the Saxon word 'stow', meaning 'holy meeting place'.
Stow on the Wold - the village name comes from the Saxon word 'stow', meaning 'holy meeting place'.
And this is the north porch of St Edward's Church in Stow on the Wold.
And this is the north porch of St Edward's Church in Stow on the Wold.
It's said this door inspired JRR Tolkien ... you can see it, can't you?
It's said this door inspired JRR Tolkien ... you can see it, can't you?
And here's our own little Hobbit!
And here's our own little Hobbit!
Broadway Tower, an 18th-century folly near the village of Broadway. It's the highest point of the Cotswolds and was, on the day of our visit, surrounded by an eerie mist.
Broadway Tower, an 18th-century folly near the village of Broadway. It's the highest point of the Cotswolds and was, on the day of our visit, surrounded by an eerie mist.
Autumn comes to the Cotswolds.
Autumn comes to the Cotswolds.
But whatever its colour, the foliage here is magnificent.
But whatever its colour, the foliage here is magnificent.
 
And the topiary, incredible.
And the topiary, incredible.
How about this hedge?
How about this hedge?
And then, of course, there are the thatched cottages.
And then, of course, there are the thatched cottages.
We loved our visit to the Cotswolds; like Cornwall, it's a special part of England.
We loved our visit to the Cotswolds; like Cornwall, it's a special part of England.