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the royal cotswolds

Tetbury Cottage is located on a side road within a few minutes walk of the very heart of historic Tetbury and all its attractions.

Close to town, there is lots of excellent country pub dining. We recommend trying places like The Bell at Sapperton, Wild Duck at Ewen, Trouble House Inn, Potting Shed at Kemble and the Cat & Custard, all of which are within about 15 mins drive. For fine dining perhaps try Calcot Manor or The Rectory.

Within half an hour are the widely varied attractions of the entire Cotswold region. Closest are King Charles’ Highgrove - the garden is a must-see - and Westonbirt House and Arboretum whilst there are also many National Trust properties. A very short drive away Cirencester is a beautiful historic town with an attractive centre and the cities of Bath, Bristol, Gloucester & Cheltenham are all within one hour.

A car is not necessary if you are just enjoying the town, but is recommended to explore more of the Cotswold region. There is an express, 1 hour, Paddington London rail service to Kemble 5 miles away served by taxi.

the town

Tetbury's past hasn't been a notorious one, like nearby Bath or Cirencester leading a quiet existence, sitting on the Roman road which linked the two better-known towns. It lies on the site of an ancient hill fort, on which an Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in 681.

Within Tetbury town centre this history is very visible with many medieval historic buildings and the 17th century Market House. Appropriately there are also dozens of antique and design shops to browse.

Visit the Highgrove Shop, historic church or walk down the Chipping Steps or Gumstool Hill, each lined with historic buildings to the restored railway Goods Shed. Here there are exhibitions and cafe or you can also take an easy stroll along the old tracks. Once you are done take a break at one of the many coffee shops or historic hotels.

In Roman times, there was a thriving wool industry, and ruins of the Roman amphitheatre can still be visited. When a wall was erected in the 2nd century Corinium was, in area, the second-largest city in Britain.

A great abbey church was dedicated in 1176 but in the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, Henry VIII ordered its total demolition. Today only the Norman Arch and parts of the precinct wall remain above ground, forming the perimeter of the Abbey Fields. The tombs of medieval merchants can be seen in the magnificent parish church, while their fine houses of still stand around town.

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the area

Tetbury lies in the Southern part of the scenic Cotswold region with major attractions like Cirencester, Stow, Burford and bigger destinations like Bath and Cheltenham all within about 45 minutes drive.

Only slightly farther afield, for those on longer stays, are Shakespeare's Stratford, the magnificent Blenheim Palace, the Roman baths of Georgian Bath and the dreaming spires of Oxford.

But you don't always need 'destinations'. One of the delights of the Cotswolds is touring the picturesque country lanes and discovering picture postcard villages where the tourist buses never venture. Relax in the garden of the village cafe or by the fire in the historic pub. All our local recommendations and secrets are revealed in your cottage welcome guide.

Get away from it all with a hike on the Monarchs or Cotswold Ways or take a short stroll in a local village. Join an equestrian trail ride or take a flutter on the racing at the Cheltenham Festival. Go fishing, play golf or rent a cycle. Being active is whatever you want and all are all available locally.

If getting out is more about exploring then the gardens at Highgrove are the first choice (book in advance). Rodmarton Manor is a lovely lesser-known property just a few mile away whilst William Morris's Kelmscott Manor, Chavenage House, Newark Park, Lydiard Park and Durham Park are all major sights within 40 minutes. Westonbirt Arboretum and House are both nearby and excellent.

Want an 'Event'? There are literally hundreds but best are the most traditional - why not enjoy cheese-rolling, river football or the pig face day? Locally visit the Tetbury Woolsack Races late May-ish www.tetburywoolsack.co.uk. For a list of the most unusal (and usual) visit: www.cotswolds.info/strange-things 

Below is a very small selection of the more conventional bigger events (full listing at www.cotswolds.info): 

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