The popular riverside market town of Lechlade lies on the edge of the southern Cotswolds and has many traditional pubs, antique shops, a Londis and a Co-operative including a fuel station. Lechlade is also home to the infamous Christmas shop (“Where it’s Christmas all year round”) and offers many river-based activities with River Thames trips available throughout the summer season. Lechlade is steeped in history and is an excellent base for many Cotswold and River Thames walks, including the Thames Path, plus excellent fly fishing is also on offer and the town plays host to many festivals throughout the year, including the annual three day Lechlade Music Festival, featuring over 80 bands and performers. Nearby, The Cotswold Water Park is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covering 40 square miles, made up of 140 lakes; an area larger than the Norfolk Broads. Britain’s largest water park, it offers a wide range of activities, including boating, water skiing, fishing (some of the finest trout fishing in the country), cycling, walking, golf and horse riding. Cirencester, known as The Capital of the Cotswolds is just a short drive away and boasts a rich and well-preserved heritage with a Roman Amphitheatre, Corinium Museum and Abbey Grounds. The Brewery Arts Centre offers visitors a unique arts and crafts shopping experience or visit the Bathurst Estate, home to the Cirencester Polo Club where some of the highest level of polo can be seen. Oxford, the oldest University City in England, boasts interesting Botanical Gardens, museums and libraries, and plays host to many festivals and markets throughout the year. The ancestral home of Winston Churchill and the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace is just a short drive away, where many lovely walks can be enjoyed around the landscaped parkland. Within an hour’s drive is Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, many unspoilt Cotswold villages and the Malvern Hills, all of which are well worth a visit.
