Overview

Bourton on the water, the best village in England you could possibly visit, one of the prettiest not only because of its natural honey coloured stone used throughout the village, but also it’s setting surrounded by rolling Cotswold countryside views. People lived in the area in the Stone Age and Bronze Age, as burial mounds have been discovered, and a stone aged encampment can be seen at the north end of the village. During the Iron Age, the British Museum holds currency bars found from around 300 BC. The important Roman Fosse Way passes close by, and the Romans built a camp in the area which today is called Lansdowne. Bourton is so named from the Saxon word BURGH meaning a camp or fort, and Ton, meaning a village or at that time a settlement, so some say it is “a village beside the camp”. It is situated along the River Windrush, which at one time was much wider than you see today, and much deeper, then in the early 17th century it was redirected to flow through the new village which was being developed around that time, so as to provide water to power Three mills being used, (one is the spot of the Motor museum) There are Five lovely little Cotswold stone bridges that cross the River Windrush, the oldest having been built in 1654, originally named either as “big bridge” or Broad bridge, nowadays named as Mill Bridge. ( then A wooden bridge had been built in 1750, but now replaced) Then in the centre of the village is “High Bridge” which was built in 1756, followed 20 years later by “Paynes Bridge” built in 1776. Then the lovely narrow footbridge (photo 7, with a gentleman on his scooter passing across) was built in 1911. Then in 1953 the Coronation Bridge was built, which stands opposite the “Old New Inn” that replaced the old wooden bridge mentioned earlier. All these bridges add so much charm to the centre of the village, crossing over the River Windrush as it passes by so many lovely Cotswold stone cottages and small houses, many now used as gift shops, or eating places, and running along to “Birdland” and through its parkland (DO READ THE REVIEW, BIRDLAND)

Transport & Parking

It’s a bit of a ride from the main Rissington car park, so lower marks, but what a lovely short ride that wheelchairs and scooters can easily cope with. Disabled blue badge holders have FREE all day parking at this car park, and disabled toilets are here for you, mind you a charge is made, but it’s only a “Wee” amount. Alongside the toilets and opposite you pass the entrance for “The Dragonfly Maze” £4.50 each, no help for disabled, it’s great fun for families though, but paths are very narrow as it twists and turns through the green hedges. Right next door to the Maze you will find “BIRDLAND” which is well worth the entrance cost (around £12.00 for adult but your carer pays just £3.00 or so. DO READ OUR REVIEW FOR BIRDLAND.

Access

Although it’s level, it’s a bit of a bumpy ride, pot holes don’t help on paths, narrow in parts along the beautiful river walk, but well worth the effort.

Toilets

Toilets by disabled bays at the main Rissington car park, and also public toilets at far end of village.

Staff

Everyone is pleasant and helpful, their livelihood depends on it.

Photos