August 12 Ampney Crucis, Gloucestershire

Last night we found a website, http://www.cotswoldsvintagetours.com/ which has four driving tours and we picked one to do today.  "This route is pure Cotswolds passing through some of the most classic and beautiful of towns and villages here.  Driving this route will take you back to a rich Roman history in the Cotswolds and then transport you to the beautiful elegance of the modern Cotswold scene."

The drive was lovely, beautiful scenery and small villages to investigate.  We didn’t stop in every place; just 3.  Bibury was really pretty.  We went through the Trout Farm which was great and had planned to walk around the village but when we came out of the trout farm, 5 tour buses had just pulled up and hundreds of tourists hit the street.  We left in a hurry.

Bibury

Entrance to trout farm 

Our next stop was in Fairford where walked around the village and had a nice walk along the river (and no-one seemed to be around except us.)

 Main Street in Fairford

Coffee stop was in the town of Lechlade which is on the River Thames.  Most people sat inside but we found it quite pleasant outside.

Having seen some photos of Bourton-On-The-Water we decided to go there after our tour.  What a disappointment.  Loads of gift stores, tourists, and very little water in the river.  And they call this “The Venice of the Cotswolds!”  I'm not buying it.

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at a National Trust site, the Roman Villa at Chedworth.  This was quite interesting particularly because of the mosaic floors that have been uncovered.

And we had some fun at the trout farm on our respective transport vehicles -----

Sending love R/P