Historic Towns and Villages in Gloucestershire

One of the most beautiful towns on the Thames, Lechlade boasts a profusion of attractive period buildings. The spire of the medieval parish church of St Lawrence is a local landmark, visible for miles over the low-lying fields that stretch out from the river in all directions. A short walk along the river brings you to St John's Lock, the highest lock on the River Thames, where the famous statue of Father Thames watches narrowboats navigate the lock. The road south from Lechlade into Wiltshire crosses Halfpenny Bridge, an old toll bridge that retains its ancient toll house (no fee payable now!)
Lechlade, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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Little Barrington is a picturesque Cotswold village three miles west of Burford, in the peaceful Windrush valley, with pretty honey-toned cottages clustered around a wide triangular green. The parish church of St Peter dates to the 12th century.
Little Barrington, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century parish church of St Peter

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Little Rissington is a small village just east of Bourton-on-the-Water, halfway up a hill, looking out over Bourton Vale. There are some lovely Cotswold stone cottages by the road, and a path leads to the 12th-century parish church. Though the church is worth a visit in its own right, most people come to see the RAF cemetery in the churchyard, a legacy of the village's association with RAF Little Rissington during WWII. There is an RAF memorial stained glass window inside the church and excellent views across the Vale from the churchyard.
Little Rissington, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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A pretty village in the Evenlode valley of the north Cotswolds, not far from Stow on the Wold. Longborough's name comes from the presence of a long barrow, an ancient burial mound, set on the hill above the village. The parish church of St James dates to the Norman period, but much of the current building is 12th century. Within the church are a 14th-century effigy of a knight and a 17th-century mechanical clock.
Longborough, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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One of the most popular Cotswold beauty spots, the sleepy village of Lower Slaughter straddles the slow-moving River Eye. There are low stone footbridges across the river and a restored water mill that must be one of the most photographed buildings in the Cotswolds. The pretty cottages seem to glow with warm-toned Cotswold stone, and the parish church of St Mary's is a gem. There is a popular walk over the fields to Upper Slaughter, where you can get views across a small lake to Upper Slaughter Manor.
Lower Slaughter, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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Mickleton is a pretty village on the northern fringes of the Cotswolds, blessed with a wealth of picturesque historical buildings. Chief among these is the 12th-century parish church, dedicated to St Lawrence. The Heart of England Way long distance path runs through Mickleton.
B4632, Mickleton, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Lawrence Church, dating to the 12th century

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A lovely Cotswold market town on the Fosse Way, Moreton has nothing 'marshy' about it today, but in days gone by the town was in a 'henmarsh', an area of boggy ground. Henmarsh evolved into 'in-Marsh' over time. Whatever the origins of the name, Moreton is worth a visit. The very wide High Street has an attractive market hall on an island in the middle, and pretty golden-toned buildings of Cotswold stone line the road. There are several medieval inns, and a short distance out of town is the Batsford Arboretum, while a few miles distant is the stately home of Sezincote.
Moreton-in-Marsh, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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A pretty Cotswold village in the valley of the peaceful River Windrush. The cottages are built of local golden-toned Cotswold stone. There are no major attractions in Naunton, but the village is so pretty you really won't mind! A listed medieval dovecote stands just off the main road through the village, and the parish church of St Andrew has a medieval sundial outside the entrance.
Naunton, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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A classic Cotswold market town, Northleach is famous for its fabulous 'wool church', built and richly furnished by wealthy wool merchants during the Middle Ages. Northleach stands just off the Roman Fosse Way. It is unusual in that the town was intentionally planned - laid out in the shape of a Y by an 8th century Abbot of Gloucester.
Northleach, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England

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A little village near Bourton on the Water, Notgrove is best known for the nearby Neolithic long barrow of the same name.
Notgrove, Gloucestershire, England

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