ENGLAND 2023 – IX – The (Last of) Cotswolds (V)

We have had our wonderful stay in The Cotswolds and now head onward….. passing through Cirencester again and on to Wales.


Doorway, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


War Memorial, Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Tower, Church of St John the Baptist, Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Door, Church of St John the Baptist, Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Stone Cross, Church of St John the Baptist, Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

The church is a Grade I Listed Building and originates from the 12th century


The Gallery at The Crown, Black Jack Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


10 Black Jack Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Cowley House, 12 Black Jack Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building


Door, 15 Black Jack Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


12 Park Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


View Along Silver Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Bathurst Estate, Park Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

The Bathurst family originate from Sussex where, in the 13th Century, they owned extensive lands and a castle. The castle was subsequently demolished, but the name lives on in Bathurst Wood, where its ruins can still be discovered.

In 1695, Sir Benjamin Bathurst, a kindly and generous gentleman, purchased the current estate, known then as Oakley Grove. It was a gift for his eldest son, Allen, who became the 1st Earl Bathurst.

It was under his care that Cirencester Park became one of the greatest privately-owned parks of the 18th century and the finest forest landscape in England. It is still amongst the most beautiful in the country today. Having remained in the same family, its main advantage has been continuity.

Since the 1st Earl’s time the Bathurst Estate has been carefully stewarded by many generations. Following the 8th Earl’s death in October 2011, his eldest son Allen succeeded to the title. He presently runs and oversees the estate for future generations, supported by The Countess Bathurst.

The Park sits within the town of Cirencester, screened from it by the tallest yew hedge in the world. This remarkable feature has been much recorded in local and international history, especially when it comes to its annual trim – a job that takes two men two weeks to complete. Clippings have been used to further the research of the use of ‘taxol’ to treat cancer.

See beyond the wall:-


“Dunstall House”, 27 Park Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

17th century, re-fronted in 18th century. Mishearing a suggestion by Earl Bathurst in the 1920s, that the house should be called after the Gumstool Brook which flows at the rear, a tenant called it Dunstall House, which has endured.


8-16 Park Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

Grade II Listed Building,which is 5 houses built in the early 1800s


The Old Grammar School Forecourt Wall & Gate, Park Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

Former Grammar School, now house. Late mediaeval, 1534-60, 1640s and 1760s with C20 alterations and repairs.


Rear Yard Entrance, Old Police Station & Courts, 2 Park Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


The Old Museum, Tetbury Road, Cirencester. Gloucestershire, England UK

Henry George, the 4th Earl Bathurst (1790-1866), funded the building of Cirencester’s first museum in Tetbury Road. It was built to house the Hunting Dogs and Four Seasons Mosaics found in 1849 in Dyer Street, Cirencester, now on display in the Corinium Museum.

The museum opened in 1856 and received 1740 visitors in the first year. It was staffed by honorary curators and a resident custodian lived in the adjacent lodge. The Earl’s museum soon began to benefit from donations from other local collectors. By the 1930’s, when the Bathurst collection was given to the town, it numbered nearly 3000 objects.


Street Sign, Sheep Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Old Town Station, Sheep Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


That’s it for The Cotswolds and Cirencester. We then travelled to Hay-on-Wye in Wales where we once spent a week back in 2016. We even stayed at the same place and in the same room as back then.


The Butter Market, Market Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

Hay Butter Market was erected by a local entrepreneur by the name of William Enoch in 1830. It replaced a very old open market in order to provide a covered market area for the use of local traders and farmers on market days which have always been a Thursday. It is situated right in the centre of town by Hay Castle Square.

The building had been walled up since just after the second World War but was opened up and restored by Hay Warren Trustees in 1985.

The Trustees won a “Prince of Wales Award” for this restoration. It is now used again every Thursday and also by other traders and charity organisations on most Saturdays and holiday weekends.

It is a Grade II Listed Building.


A Wet Street, High Town, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

The Butter Market is on the left.


Clock Tower, Jcn Lion & Broad Streets, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

Built 1884 by J C Haddon of Hereford. It originated in a legacy by Captain Brown for a clock for the church tower. This idea was expanded by the executors to include the town clock, public hall and corn exchange but only the former was built; cost £600.

It is a Grade II Listed Building


The Rose & Crown (Centre) & The Old Electric Shop, Broad Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

The Rose & Crown is a 17th century building.

It is a Grade II Listed Building


“Rest For The Tired”, Laneway off Broad Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK


Heritage Residence, Jcn Broad Street & Belmont Road, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK


St Joseph’s Church, Belmont Road, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK


Property Entrance, Belmont Road, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK


The Blue Boar, Castle Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

We had dinner here as we did back in 2016.

Late Georgian architecture (shown on 1847 Tithe map) with 17th century origins to rear.

A Grade II Listed Building


“Radnor House”, Oxford Road, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

A Grade II Listed Building


Heritage Residence and Adjoining Buildings, Church Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

Building Attached to Heritage Residence, Church Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK


Oxford Road, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK


“Rounded”, Llys Brewys (Off Church Street), Hay=On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK


The Cheese Market, Market Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

The Cheese Market in Hay-on-Wye (Welsh: Marchnad gaws Y Gelli Gandryll), formerly Hay-on-Wye Town Hall, (Welsh: Neuadd y Dref Y Gelli Gandryll), is a municipal building in Market Street, Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales. The structure, which has been restored with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund so that the first floor can be let out for residential use, is a Grade II Listed Building. Built in 1835 and statue on the higher part of the wall is Henry VII.


Hay Castle, Castle Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

Probably built by Bernard de Newmarch and once surrounded by a moat. The castle is traditionally thought to have been rebuilt by Maude de St Valerie; was burnt by King John in 1216, rebuilt by Henry III in 1233, burnt by Prince Edward in 1263 and later suffered further damage under Owain Glyndwr. The double pile Castle House was begun by James Boyle ca 1660; divided up after 1702 and in 1844 sold to Sir Joseph Bailey. Major restoration by W D Caroe ca 1910; major fires in 1934 (E half) and 1977 (W half).

A Grade I Listed Building


War Memorial, Jcn Castle Lane and Castle Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

The memorial was unveiled in the centre of the Market Square in 1920. After 1945 it was moved to an enclosure set into the boundary wall of the castle grounds, which allowed for additional plaques to be set up commemorating the dead of World War II.

It became a Grade II Listed Building in June 2020.


Kilvert’s Country Hotel, Cnr Bull Ring & Bear Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Wales UK

Grade II Listed Building described as a Late Georgian remodelling of a 17th century structure.

This was where we stayed in Hay-On-Wye.


We stopped for lunch at this lovely country pub on our way from Hay-On-Wye.

Dining, The Brigand’s Inn, Mallwyd, Machynlleth , Powys, Wales UK

This pub is also a Grade II Listed Building


Just a Few Pints


ENGLAND 2023 – VII – The Cotswolds (III)

Still in the Cotswolds just driving around.


Entrance Gates, Westonbirt School, Bath Road, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

Built in 1853 it became a school in 1928.


“The Street”, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Residence, “The Street”, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Bridge at By Brook, Germaine’s Lane, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

By Brook also known as Bybrook River Is 12 mile long tributary of the Bristol Avon.


While driving around by myself, I stumbled into an absolutely stunning little village. The village boast 91 Listed buildings with several valued in the millions of pounds.


Elm Lodge, The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

Elm Lodge, The Green is a 5 bedroom freehold detached house – it is ranked as the 2nd most expensive property in the village, with a valuation of £2,439,000.


Duck Pond, Cross Keys Road, Biddestone, Wiltshire, England UK


The White Horse, The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

The pub is a Grade II listed building dating from the 1700s


Willow House, The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

A grade II listed building dated 1730.


The Close, The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building dating from the 1700s and largely reconstructed in 1924.


Elm Farm House, The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

A Grade II listed building – Farmhouse, now two houses, late C17 and early C18, much rebuilt c1975.


Street Sign, Church Road, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


Village Water Pump, Church Road, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


Church of St Nicholas, St Nicholas Circle, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

Church. c880 AD, possibly then cathedral, reputed to be on site of a Roman temple, and incorporating much Roman masonry and brickwork. C11, C12, C16, altered 1829-30,1875-6 and 1888-9, restored 1904-5.


Roadside Stone Wall, The Butts, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


Gatepost, The Old Rectory, The Butts, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

The carving of the name is still visible in the stonework


Driveway, The Old Rectory, The Butts, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


Bricked Up Doorways, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


Cuttle Lane, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


A Private Lane, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

Access to:-
The Little House
Paddock House
Meadowside
Greenacre
Stable Cottage
Newstone House

See Street View Here!


Willowbrook, Cnr Harts Lane & The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


Gable Cottage (L) & Hawthorne Cottage (R), The Green, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

Both are Grade II Listed Buildings


Twitten Bend, Cross Keys Road, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK

Grade II Listed Building from late 17th / early 18th century.


Laneway, Cross Keys Road, Biddestone, Chippenham, WIltshire, England UK


Heritage Residence, Cross Keys Road, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England UK


Door, Wickham Cottage, Cross Keys Road, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wilstshire, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building early 18th century


Door, The Malthouse, Cross Keys Road, Biddestone, Chippenham, Wilstshire, England UK

A Grade II Listed Building early 18th century that was a malthouse in the 19th century


Local Resident, Lowebourne, Melksham, Wiltshire, England UK


ENGLAND 2023 – VI – The Cotswolds (II)

While in the magnificent Cotswolds, I paid a visit to the old Roman town of Cirencester.


“Llewelyn-Bowen” – Old Police Station & Courts, 2 Park Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is a noted interior designer and British TV personality

Website

Wikipedia


Bishops Walk Arcade, Cricklade Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Church of St. John the Baptist, Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

The church is a Grade I Listed Building and originates from the 12th century


View to Church of St. John the Baptist, Cotswold Avenue, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Toro Lounge, Cricklade Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


The Wheatsheaf, Cricklade Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

Just one of many, many pubs that has closed since COVID!


The Old Post Office, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestshire, England UK


The Old Museum, Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

Some interesting history of this building.


The Marlborough Arms, Sheep Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

This has been a pub since at least the 1850s and has stories of haunting.


The Mad Hatter Wine Bar, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


The Crown, West Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


The Black Horse, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Thai Emerald Restaurant, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Somewhere Else Eating & Drinking House, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Silver Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Seventeen Black Wine Bar, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Residences, Ashcroft Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Private Gate to Abbey House, Gosditch Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Porters Pub & Kitchen, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Osborne House, Cotswold Avenue, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Old Pedestrian Accessway, Castle Buildings, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Dollar Ward House” – Old Georgian Residence, Gosditch Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestshire, England UK


Laneway, Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Heritage Building, 38 Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Halifax Bank, Cricklade Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Guard Dogs, The Painted Furniture Company, Gosditch Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Grade II Listed Building, 6 & 8 Gosditch Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Earthwork Remains of Site of Roman Amphitheatre, Cotswold Avenue, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK

Built in the early 2nd Century, was one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Britain.


Doorway, Former Capital and Counties Bank, 15 Gosditch Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


Doorway, 8 & 10 Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


WH Smith & Son, Castle Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England UK


ENGLAND 2023 – V – The Cotswolds

From London we headed to The Cotswolds where we spend a few days.


Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, Gloucestershire, England UK


Hare & Hounds, Bath Road, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Tetbury Market House (aka Tetbury Town Hall, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

Built in 1655 and is a Grade 1 Listed Building.


Chanrty Court, Gumstool Hill, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Vintage Cars, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


The Snooty Fox, Market Place, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Old Brewery Lane, Church Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Old Door, Henrietta’s House, Church Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Bay Gallery, Church Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


The Close Hotel, Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

16th-century manor house, built for a gentleman farmer, became a hotel in the 1970s.


The Ormond, Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Old Door, Cambridge House, Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

STREET VIEW -Google


Door, Oxford House, Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

STREET VIEW -Google


Former Police Station and Courts, Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

Now Tetbury Council Offices and Police Museum – built 1884-1885


Door, 7 London Road, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

STREET VIEW -Google


Emma Leschallas Antiques, 48 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Entrance, Josephine Ryan Antiques, 44 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK,


Crest Above Door, 25 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

STREET VIEW -Google — George Wickes 1694


Entrance Hall, The Snooty Fox, Market Place, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


The Crown Inn, Old Coach Yard, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK

Sadly this pub is now permanently closed.


The Old Coach Yard, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Old Door, Gumstool Hill, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Door Knocker, 18 Market Place, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Doorway, Deron House, 20 Market Place, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK


Street Sign, Chipping Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England UK