The Cotswolds is a designated region covering countries in southwest England, viz., Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Somerset, and Warwickshire.
Out of which, almost 80% of the region is farmland. The quaint English towns and villages complementing the stunning natural beauty make the countryside worth a visit.
The name Cotswold comes from two words, ‘cot’ meaning a ‘sheep enclosure’ and ‘wolds’ meaning ‘gentle hills’. Originally, lot of income came from the sheep wool here and hence the sheep here are called ‘The Cotswold Lion’.
The region is the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the United Kingdom and attracts almost 38 million visitors every year. It also has one of the lowest population densities in England.
The total length of stone walls in Cotswolds is longer than the Great Wall of China.
The 300-year old yew hedge surrounding the Bathurst Estate, standing tall over 40 ft, is the tallest hedge in the country. Almost 80 man hours goes for 2 people to give its annual cut. The clippings are later used to make a cancer fighting drug called taxol.
The church of the Holy Trinity at Stratford-Upon-Avon is the church where Shakespeare was buried. It’s the reason behind its fame as the most visited church in England.
Noticed the unique glow on the Cotswolds buildings? The local limestone is the reason for the unique glow. The stone from North is honey-colored and that from South is more golden.
The present stocks at the Stow-on-the-Wold date back to the 15th century, though some have been replaced a few times.
The more than 150 lakes in the Cotswold Water Park that make up an area larger than the Jersey Island. These lakes were created by over 50 years of gravel extraction and almost 1 million tonnes of gravel are extracted from the park every year.
The Tetbury Woolsack Races originated in the 17th century but are still going on today. The race makes competitors carry a 60 lb (or men) and 35 lb (for women) wool sack up and down a course.
The Eynsham Carnival, one of the oldest carnivals, gathers people dressed in fancy dress. It’s a parade organized on the first Saturday in July. There’s madcap shirt race, tug of war, and lots of other activities.
The river football match hosted every August in the Bourton on the Water village attracts more tourists than the actual residents! The village is the most visited in the Cotswolds.
There’s an annual cheese rolling contest at Coopers Hill. It involves chasing a 9lb Double Gloucester cheese down a 1 in 1 hill. The first one to reach the cheese can take it home.
Fayre hosts a weird competition called Newent Onion Fayre, which is a one day event featuring an Onion Eating Competition. The onions have to be eaten under two minutes and the contestants then have to hold their arms stretched and mouth open.
The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, dating back to 1842, is the oldest farming university in the world.
Broadway Tower boasts of panoramic views of over 60 miles which encompasses 16 countries, which is the most of any English viewpoint.
‘Crocodiles of the World’ in Oxfordshire is home to 17 different species of crocodiles, one of the largest collections in Europe. The zoo is dedicated to their conservation and they can be seen in their natural habitat.