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a scene along the river Windrush, Bourton

Bourton-on-the-Water is 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".

Understand

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River Windrush

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

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By road

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

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

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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

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By bicycle

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Get around

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Map
Map of Bourton-on-the-Water

On foot is fine.

See

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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, ☏ +44 1451 820 467, . Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-4PM. This 1:9-scale version of Bourton includes everything from a miniature St Lawrence's Church to the Model Village itself, which contains everything from a miniature St Lawrence's Church to the Model Village itself, which contains. Adult £4.50, senior £4, child (3-13) £3.50, under 3 free. Bourton-on-the-Water model village (Q26676305) on Wikidata Bourton-on-the-Water model village on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2022)
  • 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

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Buy

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Shop in the small shops.

Eat

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A couple of pubs do food and drink

Drink

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Sleep

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Connect

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

Go next

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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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