Overview

Stow on the Wold is a very pleasant honey coloured Cotswold market town, in the Gloucestershire countryside of the Cotswolds. There are signs to show that it was first inhabited by Iron Age people, who settled here in this area, on its hill, and it came to be their fort for defending themselves as this would help to protect the locals. There is also evidence from the Stone Age and Bronze Age, with burial grounds to confirm this. Founded by Norman Lords who needed a place to meet for trading of goods and animals, particularly sheep. This area was situated along the “Fosse Way” an old Roman road that ran from Exeter to Lincoln, and they choose a rounded hill of about 800 feet (244m) above sea level to start the building of a small town. Stow on the Wold was more than likely so named by the use of old English words, perhaps derived from “Stowe” which meant a meeting place, or location, such as a holy place. The word “Wold” meant hills of open countryside or woodland, so building on a hill was an ideal solution. Just below the hill, a supply of water could be taken from springs, from which women would collect water and carry it in buckets with the use of yokes. It is felt that perhaps the first town was called “Stow St Edwards” named after the towns patron saint, as originally the settlement was controlled by Abbotts who lived in the nearby Abbey at Evesham. When King Henry 1st set up the rights to hold a weekly market in 1107, he stated that all proceeds would go to their Evesham Abbey. By 1330, a Royal charter arranged by King Edward 4th changed it so that two, Five day fairs could be held in the square of Stow. During the 18th and 19th centuries, you will note that most of the buildings in the square are from these time periods. The towns main source of wealth was from the wool trade, with sheep being brought in to market from all around the surrounding countryside, and up to 20,000 sheep could be sold on a good day. For this reason you will see narrow alleys that were built around the main square so that sheep could be driven through these narrow alleys, called “tures” which gave better control for these large amounts of sheep, and allowed easy counting of the sheep. (More information can be read on our FOURTH REVIEW FOR STOW ON THE WOLD “CHURCH ALLEY and CHURCH STREET”) when you read “Talbot Court” (PHOTO 1). THE SQUARE Parking is allowed around the square, with a few disabled bays here and there, and TWO are situated under the trees on the square, facing towards St Edwards Hall ahead of you. Disabled May park for three hours quiet freely, handy, as most of the attractions can be seen in this time, and almost everything in the town can be seen, as the area is nice and flat, although some pathways can be narrow and bumpy in places, but it’s easy enough for a chair to get around. (PHOTO 2). ST EDWARDS HALL This was built in 1878 as a place traders could meet, while today it also houses the library, and its a nice building, beginning to look its age, but it does stand out as a focal point. The steeple or bell-turret was built so that it could hold a large bell so that it could summon the fire brigade if needed. (PHOTO 3). THE STAG AT STOW. As Stow was built as a market town, there was a need to have places of refreshment that traders could make use of, and all around the town square and close by you will find many Inns and other places we can use today as well, for our breaks, such as “The Stag inn” The building was first named as “The White hart” part of it dating back to the 12th century and it was a coaching inn by the 14th century, and established as an inn in 1648, until purchased in 1997 by a brewery in Swindon, to be renamed as “The Stag” A white hart, or stag, should actually be a red deer or stag, but due to a rare condition known as “Leucism” that causes the animals skin to loose its natural colour, it turns white. This is because of a reduction in the pigment of its hair, but a white stag holds a lot of superstition about it, so many different folklores have been used which were not always of value, so we wonder if this is one reason of its name being changed to “The Stag” The former and now restored Georgian townhouse and coach house of the 14th century is now a dog friendly hotel, with a nice side lounge which visitors will appreciate, and a large back bar, which you will find to be the oldest part of the building, and it has a pleasant small beer garden. Around its quirky decor, with well spaced our seating arrangements (which the disabled will appreciate) you may enjoy a hearty lunch, based on British food. (PHOTO 4). THE MARKET CROSS This was erected so as to remind all the market traders to deal honestly with the locals Who and farmers. When you look at the shaft, it’s base and steps, you will note that these are the original medieval work of its builders, of which the long side panels represent the Crucifixation, another side for Edward the Confessor, another panel shows us the the Civil war, and another the Wool Trade. The headstone is one that was restored in 1995. (PHOTO 5). THE KINGS ARMS Opposite the market cross is another place of interest, “The Kings Arms” It is a very nice old coaching inn, built in the same honey coloured Cotswold stone, as the rest of the town Some feel this may have been founded in 1548, but it was most certainly here in the early 1600’s. King Charles 1st May have stayed here in 1645 just before the battle of Naseby, but one the most fierce and deadly battles took place at stow on the Wold, and it was so bad that it was said that Ducks could bathe in the pools of blood. It is assumed that the name “ Digbeth street” ( at the end of the market square) meant “Ducks bath”. Digbeth street runs off Sheep Street as it heads towards the market cross, and The Kings Arms. As a point of interest for you, it is along Digbeth Street that you will find the oldest inn known in England “ The Porch Inn” dating back to 987ad, Now a grade 11 listed building. By 1666, The Kings Arms was a popular Inn, and in the 1700’s it was regarded as one of the best Inns between Worcester and London. Today, you will certainly enjoy its warm atmosphere, it’s restaurant is described as a true hidden gem, with glass topped vintage painted tables, there are comfy sofas waiting for you, and the bar offers contentment as you while away an hour or two. (PHOTO 6). THE UNICORN (on Sheep Street) If you walk down Church Street (at the far side of St Edwards church) and turn right along Sheep Street, you can pop into the very fanciful “Cotswold companies” shop, that was once “The Unicorn Inn”. It is a grade 11 building with three floors. The large store is on the ground floor and shares spaces with 9 serviced modern apartments, while the first and second floors are in the care of the Unicorn Apartsuites. It has 44 private car parking spaces, and plush apartment homes that are appreciated by its residents. (PHOTOS 7 to 10). The welcome sign invites you to step inside along its flat level entrance, and walk around this very tastefully decorated store with its level wooden floor boards, and admire the wonderful selection of classy furnishings and modern well appointed household goods, of which we feel sure you will find something to catch your eye, even if the expensive costs may dampen your spirits. (PHOTO 11). SHEEP STREET. Returning along Sheep Street, there are some delightful old stone cottages and little stores that may appeal, and you will no doubt enjoy strolling along Talbot Court and its small shops. (WE EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT TALBOT COURT on our part four review of Stow on the Wold.) The Talbot Court alley will take you back into the Square by the Market Cross, with the very popular store of “Scotts of Stow” standing on the corner ahead. (PHOTOS 12 to 16). SCOTTS OF STOW. Robert Scott was an American businessman who moved to the UK in 1963. At this time he was the sales manager for the company of Remington products. He then joined the well known company of Russell Hobbs. Having then formed the company of Scotcade, which sold various products, the company was bought by Courtaulds in 1982, before being sold again in 1985 to the Gratten company. He moved to the Cotswolds, and founded the company of Scotts of Stow, which today still sells homeware, kitchenware, bedding and even garden items. The shop itself may prove difficult for a disabled person to enjoy, because there are many small steps to contend with, but if you can manage an occasional step here and there, then the store is yours to enjoy, but a wheelchair bound person will only see very few sections that are level enough to move around. ====================================================================== Now we need to move on to our next three reviews of Stow on the Wold, but first of all you may appreciate the use of public toilets that are situated in the square. (PHOTOS 17 to 19). PUBLIC TOILETS You will find them along the same street that houses Lucy’s Tearoom, as you head towards the Yew trees towering over the small green in the corner of the square, on the left as you approach the trees, just walk a few yards along High street corner, and toilets are on the left. These are standing nicely on High street, the buildings around look inviting in their golden honey stone of the Cotswolds, and inside you just need to walk along the passage to reach toilets, which include a disabled toilet, but 40p is needed to use them. They are clean and tidy, small cubicles but you will get a chair into them, but 40p !

Transport & Parking

There is limited parking around Stow, but we have always managed to find a bay on The Market Square. Disabled bays are few, but disabled get 3 hours free.

Access

The roads and pathways are a bit bumpy and hold a few minor pot holes, paving can be uneven, but nothing to worry about. As any old town, a few shops, stores and Inns have low steps to contend with, but a carer should be able to cope with it all. Seating is hard to find, but the drinking holes are plentyful.

Toilets

There are public toilets ipatvthe end of Market Square, opposite the trees on the green. Nothing to write home about, and a silly charge of 40p was disgraceful.

Staff

Any we met or dealt with were very pleasant and helpful.

Photos