William Morris' summer home with stunning gardens, which provided inspiration for his works, many of which are on display in the Manor. www.kelmscottmanor.co.uk
The Cotswolds
Kelmscott is a quiet rural Oxfordshire village only 5 minutes’ walk from the river Thames. It is famous for Kelmscott Manor, which was William Morris’ summer home and now exhibits his designs.
The village is just a few minutes’ drive away from the pretty market town of Lechlade and a few miles on is the Cotswolds gateway town of Burford. The Cotswolds is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and made up of the three counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire, each with their historic riches, places of interest and internationally renowned annual events.
Our location in the small hamlet of Kelmscott is rural, but very accessible, with good road links from M40, M5 and M4, London is only 1 ½ hours’ drive away. The business and tourist hubs of Swindon, Oxford and Cheltenham are all within 40 minutes’ drive of us.
And there are plenty of great destinations to visit locally:
Walking Distance
The River Thames is just a couple of minutes’ walk away from us and access to the footpath is immediate. You can hire a boat from nearby Lechlade www.visitthames.co.uk
The village pub is a few minutes’ walk away and has a lovely relaxed ambience. It serves excellent, locally sourced, food with local beers on tap. www.theploughinnkelmscott.com/eat
15 mins. by car
Known locally as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is a wonderful medieval town full of independent shops, restaurants, galleries and walks along the Windrush Valley. Find out more about Burford here
Owned by the National Trust, home to Lord Faringdon, house filled with antiques and lovely water gardens. www.buscotpark.com
The mill and shop are open all year. There are exhibitions and displays of woollen weaving through the ages – an intrinsic part of the Cotswolds plus a shop selling fabulous woven garments, blankets and upholstered furniture. www.cotswoldwoollenweavers.co.uk
Stunning gardens and wildlife park where visitors are free to roam around the grounds and learn about the animals that are cared for here. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
Great Barn in Great Coxwell village is the sole surviving part of a thriving 13th-century grange that once provided vital income to Beaulieu Abbey – and has featured in Downton Abbey! Open all year. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/great-coxwell-barn/
30 mins. by car
Home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Malborough and a masterpiece of 18th Century Baroque architecture and World Heritage Site amongst over 2000 acres of ‘Capability Brown’ parkland and formal gardens. www.blenheimpalace.com
Once Roman Britain’s second largest city, the remaining part of the amphitheatre and the Corinium Museum tells its story. It is a thriving market town with lots of independent shops and places to eat. A lovely day out. www.cirencester.co.uk
Trout farm, Arlington Mill craft museum and famous Arlington Row – 17th century weavers houses and one of the UK's most photographed sites! www.bibury.com
Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds. Find the model village, Birdland and Cotswold Motor Museum. www.bourtoninfo.com
Hill fort with chalk horse alongside the ancient ridgeway, also near Waylands Smithy stoneage burial chamber. Great views across the three counties. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-horse-hill
Famous for its colleges and known as the City of Spires, there are many places of interest in Oxford city. Right in the heart of the city you can while away hours in the peaceful Botanic gardens, visit a college or two and the castle – even the old prison is an adventure! www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com
Local Notes
For those looking for a good day out we are less than hour from the racecourses at Cheltenham and Newbury, the same driving time to the main equestrian events of Badminton, Gatcombe and Blenheim, each a fantastic spectacle. The car racing circuits of Silverstone, Castle Coombe and Thruxton are also within each reach.
If cycling is for you our quiet roads, flat landscape and picture perfect villages are just waiting to be explored. And of course the Thames also offers good fishing, or hire a rowing boat, Wind in the Willows style and just take it easy.
There are many stately homes and gardens to explore including Blenheim Palace, Buscot Park, Kelmscott Manor & Lodge Park. Oxford, Cheltenham & Cirencester are all towns within 45 minutes drive of us for some cultural indulgence or a just a spot of shopping.
In July the skies are taken over by the International Air Tattoo at Fairford, the coloured smoke of the Red Arrows overhead is always a joy to watch as are the many international air display teams that feature at this top event. Throughout the summer there are plenty of local events including open gardens, fetes, duck races, beer & music festivals. Regular updates on our Facebook page.
For country sports enthusiasts, we can recommend local shooting grounds, equestrian facilities, fishing lakes etc. Simply get in touch for details.