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a scene along the river Windrush, Bourton

Bourton-on-the-Water is in the Cotswolds on the Fosseway (the A429) about 25 km north of Cirencester.

Understand

River Windrush

Famed for its picturesque High Street. Lying on the meandering River Windrush with several low arched stone bridges resulted in the village becoming known as "Venice of the Cotswolds". With a population of around 3,300, it is a large village whereas nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford with smaller populations are both "Market Towns".

The River Windrush source, 10 miles from the village, is fed by springs and thus continues to flow even in severe drought.

There is evidence of habitation dating back to neolithic times (4,000 BC), habitation continuing through to Roman times (Roman pottery and coins found in the village show extended Roman occupation). Christian occupation dates back to 709 AD when a wooden church was built. In 1110 a stone Normal church was built; today only the chancel (from 1328) remains.

Today almost all buildings are of 17th-century origin, mostly built using Cotswold limestone characteristic of the area.

Get in

By road

Driving from Cirencester, just follow the A429 North, you'll pass signs saying you've entered the village. From the North, just follow the A429 South. Follow signs to the large car park at the edge of the village. There is a footpath from the car park to the main street.

By train

Nearest train station Moreton-in-Marsh station

  • 1 Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station, Station Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AA (8½ miles N of Boughton on the Water). Station managed and services operated by Great Western Railway. On the Cotswold Line running between Oxford-Hereford. Moreton-in-Marsh railway station (Q2369749) on Wikidata Moreton-in-Marsh railway station on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2017)

By bus

By bicycle

Get around

Map
51°53′3″N 1°45′30″W
Map of Bourton-on-the-Water

On foot is fine.

See

Cotswold Motor Museum

Bourton is quite attractive as a family destination. The river Windrush flows through the village, next to the main street. In the charming centre you'll find a lot of attractions, including:

  • 1 Model Village, The Old New Inn, GL54 2AF. A miniature version of Bourton at 1:9th of the scale (with also a miniature of the miniature of the....). Model Village To Rear Of The Old New Inn (Q26676305) on Wikidata 
  • 2 Birdland Park and Gardens, Rissington Rd, GL54 2BN, ☏ +44 1451 820480. Birdland Park and Gardens (Q4916008) on Wikidata Birdland Park and Gardens on Wikipedia 
  • Dragonfly Maze (between the car park and the Birdland). 
  • 3 Cotswold Motor Museum & Toy Collection, The Old Mill, GL54 2BY. Cotswold Motoring Museum (Q5175487) on Wikidata Cotswold Motoring Museum on Wikipedia 
  • 4 The Old Mill (Mill Museum & Shop), Mill Lane, Lower Slaughter GL54 2HX (2 miles N of Bourton-on-the-Water), ☏ +44 1451 820052, . Mar-Oct: daily 10AM-6PM (tea room & café until 5PM); Nov-Feb: daily 10AM-dark. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 5 War Memorial. Bourton-on-the-Water War Memorial including gated enclosure (Q66477913) on Wikidata (updated Mar 2021)
  • 6 Church of St Lawrence. Church of St Lawrence (Q17536559) on Wikidata (updated Mar 2021)

Do

Buy

Shop in the small shops.

Eat

A couple of pubs do food and drink

Drink

Sleep

Connect

As of May 2022, the village and its approach roads have 4G from EE and O2, and 5G from Three and Vodafone.

Go next

Routes through Bourton-on-the-Water
Warwick and Leamington Spa ← Stow-on-the-Wold ←  N  SW  → Cirencester


This city travel guide to Bourton-on-the-Water is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.


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