BOURTON ON THE WATER
BOURTON ON THE WATER, THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Katy Freeman, Branch Manager at Harrison James & Hardie Fine & Country Bourton on the Water, has lived in nearby Upper Slaughter since childhood. She and her sales team – Lucy Driver, Jo Shipman and Sophie Keogh – have more than 45 years’ combined experience of the local marketplace. To register your requirements or to book viewings on any of the properties Katy has suggested, simply telephone 01451 822977. 86
Cotswold Homes Magazine
Bourton on the Water is the most popular village in the Cotswolds for holidays without a doubt, with visitors arriving throughout the year. It’s a perfect place for school vacations and short, romantic breaks alike, where many bed and breakfasts, holiday cottages and family hotels cater for a range of pockets. This is a friendly place where the prevailing mood is laissez-faire with a tiny dash of seaside – there are a host of places to visit and things to do, inside and out, a place of good old-fashioned fun. A number of great family attractions are all conveniently situated in the middle of the village, dotted along from one end of the High Street to the other, however the shallow river Windrush provides plenty of pleasure without spending money. Here visitors simply pick a shady spot or catch the sun on the banks, relaxing and watching the children paddling in jelly shoes, or feeding a clamour of fat, friendly ducks. In high summer, the local football team comes for a kick-about in the water, with other occasional diversions taking place all season, whether racing homemade sailing crafts or taking bets on the progress of a host of yellow bathtime ducks as they bob cheerfully down-stream.
Downstream towards the delightful Dragonfly Maze, where one can happily amble for an hour or two and so too, neighbouring Birdland, where the penguins, cockatoos and flamingos will keep everyone amused for an afternoon. For more retrospective delights, the Motor Museum and Model Village are fascinating and quaint – and tucked away at the back of the well-stocked toyshop is the Model Railway, where a number of train-sets are laid out, providing a great place to hide from a downpour. This is a deliberately traditional village - not much has changed in the centre for years although newer homes have gradually proliferated at its edges. One can do all the usual, touristy things - stop off at a myriad of stone-fronted tea shops or potter at one’s leisure in a clutter of bijou gift shops - but the village is not just kiss-me-quick and fish and chips. The beautiful Dial House Hotel is renowned for fine dining; go to L’Amatra at the Chester House Hotel for authentic Italian pizzas, fish dishes and risottos. Just off the High Street on Moore Road is the new cool kid on the block, Toast - Anna McCurragh’s fabulous delicatessen