Monday 20 April 2020
April is an ideal month to enjoy this attractive and popular tour of a beautiful part of our country. We will arrive at picture-postcard Burford on the River Windrush, the gateway to the Cotswolds, where we will be greeted by our Blue Badge Guide. We start here at 10.30 with coffee and a local specialty, the deliciously naughty Burford Lardy Cake (included in the cost). See the ancient packhorse bridge, hear all about the Burford Golden Dragon and discover why the superstitious villagers of olden days would fill the river with buckets during droughts!
Our coach will then take us off the beaten track through little hamlets and villages nestling in gorgeous countryside until we arrive at Northleach. Here, tucked away from the main tourist routes between gently rolling hills at a great Roman crossroads, we discover the Cathedral of the Cotswolds. The stone porch is possibly the most lovely in all England and the giant east window flooding the church with light is absolutely glorious. We stay here for free time to buy lunch or eat a picnic and explore interesting alleys full of ancient houses that radiate from the old market square.
After lunch we sweep across the top of the Cotswold escarpment to Countryfile’s Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. This was set up by Adam’s father in 1971 to promote rare breeds. There is always lots happening in the all-weather display barns. Seasonal demos include milking, lamb bottle-feeding and sheep shearing. Twenty-minute tractor safaris show you the wonderful views filmed for BBC television.
At the end of the afternoon we’ll sit in the marquee for an entertaining short talk about the farm and the rare breeds, including a question and answer session over a cup of tea (included) before heading for home by 4.45/5.00pm.
Leaders: Sue Willis (07973 507338) and Sheila Knight (07811 085917)
Please use these numbers only in an emergency on the day of the trip.
Cost: £55