Overview

Regarded by many as one of the prettiest and most beautiful villages in England, just a small but attractive tourist destinations that must be visited. History tells us that a British hill fort stood here, until the Romans arrived, and built a castle here in its place. In the Middle Ages, it became a main centre of the wool trade, and the river “By Brook” gave the power needed to run the machines. The cottages the weavers lived in is today just as it looked back then, all built of stone and split tile roofs, surrounded by beautiful Cotswold scenery of hills, woodland and a charming river that wanders down away from the village. Here you will find an ancient market cross, and old St Andrews church of the 13th century, and this holds probably the oldest clock in the country. It is now a grade 1 listed building. But interestingly no new houses have been built here since around 1600, so what you see is history in its most charming form. ======================================================================= PHOTOS. 1 to 6. PAINSWICK Our review also includes the larger Cotswold town of PAINSWICK, another very attractive tourist area, surrounded by lovely Cotswold views in an area of outstanding beauty. The drive to get here is so worth while, but beware, the lanes are very narrow with just a few passing places, but if you are daring enough, you will be rewarded by some wonderful scenery. The town itself holds some very old but lovely Cotswold stone cottages and typical lovely ancient houses, but the streets are very narrow, and it’s hard to decide which is actually the Main Street, getting lost is the norm, but in doing so you will find charming little cottages that makes getting lost worth while. If you can find it, St Mary’s church is well worth seeing. The first thing to catch your eye will be the many Yew trees, beautifully maintained, which have we are told 99 Yew trees here. The medieval church itself holds a tower of 14 bells, and is a grade 1 listed building. Parking is hard, the only one we know of it’s down the hill beyond the church, but then it’s very difficult for a disabled person to get back to see the town area due to the slopes encountered. But it’s worth just slowly driving through the town area anyway. ======================================================================== PHOTOS. 7 to 12. SCENIC VIEWS ON JOURNEY TO CASTLE COMBE Take a look at our photos now as seen below this review, starting at Painswick and some of the lovely views you can get from around PAINSWICH GOLF CLUB. Sat nav directions “Painswick golf club, GL6 6TL” Beyond the golf club building (photo 1) TURN SHARP LEFT AT CROSS ROADS (photo 2 ) Follow this down to the main Cheltenham Road, and TURN RIGHT to now drive into Painswick. You could then set your sat nav for MINCHINHAMPTON COMMON, GL5 5BZ, Again this area offers wonderful views Before setting your sat nav for CASTLE COMBE, CHIPPENHAM, SN14 7HX. THE RIDE WILL BE OVER AN HOUR, but at times the scenery is outstanding. PHOTOS 13 to 18. CASTLE COMBE =====================================================================

Transport & Parking

Very difficult to find street parking, and the only main car park is a good walk away, but worth the effort. The village is mainly flat, just a bit of a hill to get down to the bridge over the river, but a wheelchair user with the help of a carer can make it. There’s not a lot to see, but it certainly warms the heart to see what a true Cotswold village should look like.

Access

Apart from poor parking facilities, it’s not a hard walk to see round this small village.

Toilets

Public toilets are at the bottom of the village, down by the lovely bridge, and you will need the national key system to be able to use these. Basic but good enough, with pull cord and grab rails.

Staff

Photos