Bourton-on-the-Water

Understand

With a population of around 3,300, it is a large village whereas nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford with smaller populations are both "Market Towns". The River Windrush source, 10 miles from the village, is fed by springs and thus continues to flow even in severe drought. There is evidence of habitation dating back to neolithic times (4,000 BC), habitation continuing through to Roman times (Roman pottery and coins found in the village show extended Roman occupation). Christian occupation dates back to 709 AD when a wooden church was built. In 1110 a stone Normal church was built; today only the chancel (from 1328) remains. Today almost all buildings are of 17th-century origin, mostly built using Cotswold limestone characteristic of the area.

Getting there

By road Bourton-on-the-Water is on the Fosseway (the A429) about 25 km north of Cirencester. Driving from Cirencester, just follow the A429 North, you'll pass signs saying you've entered the village. From the North, just follow the A429 South. Follow signs to the large car park at the edge of the village. There is a footpath from the car park to the main street.

By train Nearest train station Moreton-in-Marsh station

1 Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station, Station Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AA (8½ miles N of Boughton on the Water). Station managed and services operated by Great Western Railway. On the Cotswold Line running between Oxford-Hereford. (updated Jun 2017)

By bus Pulhams Coaches 801 service: Moreton-in-Marsh – Stow-on-the-Wold – Bourton-on-the-Water – Northleach – Cheltenham Timetable Pulhams Coaches 802 service: Bourton-on-the-Water – Great Rissington/Little Rissington – Upper Rissington – Stow-on-the-Wold – Kingham Railway Station Timetable Pulhams Coaches 803 service: Bourton-on-the-Water – Upper Oddington – Longborough – Moreton-in-Marsh Timetable Pulhams Coaches 855 service: Moreton-in-Marsh – Stow-on-the-Wold – Bourton-on-the-Water – Northleach – Aldsworth – Bibury – Barnsley – Cirencester Timetable

By bicycle National Cycle Route 48. Lincoln to Exeter will run through the town; the route is under construction, Cirencester-Northleach and Moreton-in-Marsh-Southam completed (10-mile section through Bourton on the Water under construction as of 2017). (updated Jun 2017) 2 National Cycle Route 57. Passes through Northleach 5½ miles S of Bourton-on-the-Water. When complete will run Northleach to Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. (updated Jun 2017)

See

Bourton is quite attractive as a family destination. The river Windrush flows through the village, next to the main street. In the charming centre you'll find a lot of attractions, including:

1 Model Village, The Old New Inn, GL54 2AF, ☏ +44 1451 820 467, [email protected]. Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-4PM. This 1:9-scale version of Bourton includes everything from a miniature St Lawrence's Church to the Model Village itself, which contains everything from a miniature St Lawrence's Church to the Model Village itself, which contains. Adult £4.50, senior £4, child (3-13) £3.50, under 3 free. (updated Sep 2022) 2 Birdland Park and Gardens, Rissington Rd, GL54 2BN, ☏ +44 1451 820480. Dragonfly Maze (between the car park and the Birdland). 3 Cotswold Motor Museum & Toy Collection, The Old Mill, GL54 2BY. 4 The Old Mill (Mill Museum & Shop), Mill Lane, Lower Slaughter GL54 2HX (2 miles N of Bourton-on-the-Water), ☏ +44 1451 820052, [email protected]. Mar-Oct: daily 10AM-6PM (tea room & café until 5PM); Nov-Feb: daily 10AM-dark. (updated Jun 2017) 5 War Memorial. (updated Mar 2021) 6 Church of St Lawrence. (updated Mar 2021)

Do

Oxfordshire Way. Walk the start of this long distance walking route, maybe going for ten miles to Shipton-under-Wychwood, or continue and walk the full 68 miles to Henley-on-Thames. (updated Jun 2017) Bloody Bourton Walking Tour, ☏ +44 7954 182016 (mobile), [email protected]. Nov to Apr, book in advance. Tickets are available from the Visitors Information Centre. (updated Jun 2017) 1 Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre (Riding School), College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN, ☏ +44 1451 821101, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Cotswold Brewing Company (Brewery Tours (on some days)), College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN, ☏ +44 1451 824488, [email protected]. Shop: M-F 10AM-4PM. One of the oldest lager microbreweries in the UK (updated Jun 2017)

Buy

Shop in the small shops.

1 Bakery on the Water (Artisan Bakery), 1 Sherborne St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BY, ☏ +44 1451 822748, [email protected]. Daily 8AM-5PM. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Cotswold Perfumery, Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BU, ☏ +44 1451 820698, [email protected]. M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su 10:30AM-5PM. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Cotswold Candle Makers, Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BX, ☏ +44 1451 824285, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2017) 4 The Cotswold Pottery, Clapton Row, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2DN, ☏ +44 1451 820173, [email protected]. M-Sa 10:30AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM (check 1st). (updated Jun 2017) 5 The Victorian Christmas Shop, High St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AP, ☏ +44 1451 822622. Daily Apr-Dec. Sells Christmas items for around the world, figurines and ornaments. (updated Aug 2020) 6 Sweet Treats & Gifts (Sweet Shop), High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AE, ☏ +44 1451 820639, [email protected]. Apr-Sep: daily 10AM-5PM; Oct-Mar: daily noon-4PM. (updated Jun 2017)

Eat

A couple of pubs do food and drink

1 The Duke of Wellington (Pub, Restaurant & Hotel), Sherbourne St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BY (From the centre of town, head up Sherbourne Street, next to river. After 100 yards the pub will appear on your right, over a bridge.), ☏ +44 1451 820539. Pub: M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10:30PM; food: daily noon-9PM. Mediocre pub 2 The Chestnut Tree (Tea Rooms & Restaurant), 1 Chestnuts, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AN, ☏ +44 1451 820474, [email protected]. Tea rooms: 10AM-5PM; restaurant: call for booking. (updated Jun 2017) 3 The Croft, Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BS, ☏ +44 1451 821132, [email protected]. Daily 9AM-evening. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Aroma (Indian Restaurant & Take-away), Station Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AA, ☏ +44 1451 810600, [email protected]. Tu-Su 5-11PM. (updated Jun 2017)

Drink & nightlife

1 Kingsbridge (Pub & Food), Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BS, ☏ +44 1451 824119, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2017) 2 The Old New Inn (pub (and model village)), Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AF, ☏ +44 1451 820467, [email protected]. Summer: daily 11AM-5:30PM. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Green & Pleasant Tea Rooms, Windrush Cottage Shop, Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2DP, ☏ +44 1451 821911. (updated Jun 2017) 4 The Plough (Pub & Food), Cold Aston Nr. Northleach GL54 3BN (2½ miles W of Bourton-on-the-Water), ☏ +44 1451 822602, [email protected]. Mar: M