Bourton on the Water, Cotswolds

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Visit Bourton on the Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is a Cotswold village in the county of Gloucestershire between Northleach and Stow on-the-Wold (at 6km).

It is very picturesque, a village of traditional 17th century yellow stone cottages, many with period features (mullioned and leaded windows, steep pitched roofs etc) and pretty country gardens, with the shallow River Windrush passing quietly through the village as backdrop (or rather as a centre, since eveyone walks along the river banks). There are shady trees and grassy areas lining both sides of the river, which is crossed by several low stone bridges in perfect keeping with the setting.

Visit Bourton on the Water

If at all possible visit early in the day before the crowds arrive, or outside high season, and remember to wander around actually enjoying the village and its many architectural details and highlights, some dating back to Elizabethan times, before you get diverted into a tea shop or dragged off to Birdland.

The village is often described as 'Venice of the Cotswolds' because of the number of bridges - Why ? It has it's own charm but is nothing like Venice!

When you have finished promenading along the river banks, and persuaded the children to get out of the water, there are shops, cafes etc to cater for the (large number of) visitors who come to admire Bourton.

One curious attraction in the village - is a model of the village! Reduced by a scale of 10 to 1, the model was constructed in the 1930's and shows the village in great detail (including a model of the model...) Over 70 years old and still very popular, and for reasons I can't quite put my finger on it is very compelling to visit. Location of bourton Model Village is: just behind the New Inn.

Places to visit near Bourton on the Water

Bourton is one of the most visited 'honeypot' villages in the Cotswolds, and is pretty much given over completely to tourism. Several popular attractions have developed around Bourton as a result, including:

- the Cotswold Motoring Museum, with a fascinating collection of cars, motorbikes, caravans and related items from throughout the 20th century (see the Cotswold Motoring Museum website for visitor details)

- Birdland - a wide range of birds to admire from penguins and flamingos to toucans and owls, and a chance to get involved by feeding the penguins or watching a display by the birds of prey, all in a picturesque setting - see the Birdland website.

- the Dragonfly Maze: a maze constructed of hedges and with clues to follow en route for the pavilion at the centre of the maze

- other attractions include the Bourton Model Railway, the Cotswold perfumery and the Salmonsbury Meadows Nature Reserve.

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