Lacock Abbey
A beautiful country house with monastic roots, once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative. The Abbey, located at the heart of the village within its own woodland grounds, is a quirky country house of various architectural styles, built upon the foundations of a former nunnery. Experience the atmosphere of the…
Cotswold water park
140 Lakes and wetlands covering 40 square miles, just south of Cirencester. All outdoor needs satisfied – nature reserves, country parks, water sports, cycling, fishing, riding, swimming and golf. The Cotswold Water Park has much to offer, from a beautiful lakeside stroll to lunch in a Cotswold village pub; from an exhilarating day of watersports…
New Brewery arts centre
New Brewery Arts is the home of craft and making in the heart of the Cotswolds, with galleries, artists’ studios, café and shop, and guest accommodation, and an extensive programme of courses and workshops (over 200 each year). Explore craft and creativity. See unique items created by extraordinary craftspeople. The studios offer a rare opportunity to…
Beaufort polo club
The Beaufort Polo Club is the foremost centre for the development of polo in the Cotswolds. Home to the famous Tomlinson polo dynasty, the Club prides itself on a friendly atmosphere with high quality facilities for both spectators and players from -2 to 18 Goal. The Club also plays host to the Gloucestershire Festival of…
Cirencester
Cirencester (often referred to as the Capital of the Cotswolds) was the second largest town in Britain during Roman times. In later years it was a very prosperous medieval wool town. Cirencester’s market square is dominated by the cathedral-like Parish Church of St. John Baptist. Cirencester’s market town status was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Traders…
Castle Combe village
Castle Combe is a quintessentially English village often named as the ‘prettiest village in England.’ You’ll find the Market Cross and St Andrew’s Church which dates from the 13th century. The church houses a faceless clock which is reputed to be one of the oldest working clocks in the country. You’ll also find a couple…
Dauntsey church
This is our local church, St James the Great, opposite the Rectory. It dates back to 1177 and there are many historical features from dates etched into pews by bored youngsters, to the medieval doom board, the prime historical feature – one of only five painted wooden tympanums in the country. The two characters under Jesus are…
Badminton horse trials
The next Badminton Horse Trials will take place from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th May 2021. The event is staged within the beautiful grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire, featuring over 500 trade stands. The Saturday crowds will enjoy the Shetland Pony Grand National in the main arena before the thrills and spills of…
Historic Malmesbury
You might already know of Malmesbury’s rich history as England’s oldest borough or heard about the stunning 12th Century Abbey still very much in use today. But there’s so much more to discover in this charming market town.Visit the original Market Cross, the Norman Abbey with its tomb of King Athelstan and the free Athelstan…
Tetbury town
Tetbury was important for the Cotswolds wool trade and the town centre is still dominated by the splendid pillared Market House built in 1655. The town is known as an ‘architectural gem’ as many of the wool merchants houses still look as they did 300 years ago. It’s also well known for its 25 antique…
Westonbirt arboretum
Westonbirt Arboretum comprises some 18,000 trees and shrubs, over an area of approximately 600 acres. Its 17 miles of marked paths are popular with visitors, and provide access to a wide variety of rare plants. There are two main areas to explore. The Old Arboretum is a carefully designed landscape offering beautiful vistas, stately avenues,…
Abbey House & Gardens
With 1300 years of history, the first King of England buried somewhere in the garden, two saints thrown down the well, and now Abbey House is one of the great gardens of the world. The spirit of the place shines through and could be the best garden visit you ever make. Where the Cotswold meets…
Explore the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are famous for picture-perfect landscape and villages, making it an ideal countryside location to retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The Southern Cotswolds have their own distinctive look comprised of pretty honey-coloured stone villages, narrow lanes and stunning countryside. The local stone, used to build many of the houses you…
Bowood House & Gardens
Bowood House was purchased by the 2nd Earl of Shelburne in 1754 and completed soon afterwards. Interesting rooms include Robert Adam’s Library, the Laboratory where Dr Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in 1774, and the Chapel that is still used for family services.On display within the numerous Exhibition Rooms are remarkable collections of family heirlooms and…
Slimbridge wetlands
There’s something for everyone at WWT Slimbridge from birdwatchers to families. Now a world-renowned reserve for waterbirds set in 120 acres. Its new £6.2m visitor centre houses a wildlife art gallery, The Hanson Discovery Centre, the Waterside Restaurant, a cinema and the Sloane Observation Tower (which provides the best view of the Severn in the…
So much for you to see and do
Dauntsey is the perfect jump-off point to explore the South West. Here are a few things to see and do without spending all day traveling.
Country house accommodation - Malmesbury 