Bourton-on-the-Water, The Little Venice on the Cotswold
Bourton-on-the-Water is a civil parish and village in Gloucestershire, England. It sits on a broad flat Dale within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of Cotswold. The small historic centre of the village together with some identified areas along the River Windrush has been designated as Conservation Areas in the UK. The village is famous for its beautiful High Street bordered by a long expanse of greenery, and the River Windrush that flows between them. Several low-arched stone bridges cross the river, that earned the village the title “Little Venice of the Cotswold. It is one reason why Bourton-on-the-Water is repeatedly voted as one of the prettiest villages in England and a favourite tourist destination.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water
Because the village is a big favourite of tourists, it has a motley collection of eating places, shops and lodgings and accommodation in the form of self-catering holiday cottages, B&Bs, inns, hotels and camping sites. Most of the over 20 restaurants and independent shops in this town are located along High Street and Victoria Street.
Things to See and Do in Bourton-on-the-Water
Other attractions make this village appealing to both residents and visitors alike. One of such attraction is the Birdland, an authentic bird zoo with an impressive collection of exotic birds and penguins some of which have come from the South Atlantic. Another attraction the village is proud of is the Model Village, an exquisite miniature of the village on a 1/9th scale depicting Bourton as it was in 1937. Then there is the Model Railway Exhibition and Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection that will bring out the child in adults. Another attraction of the village is the Cotswold Perfumery shop & factory which is said to have prepared personalised scents for the Queen.
Outdoor attractions include the Dragonfly Maze, a yew maze with a pavilion in the middle and the maze’s final secret created by Kit Williams, famous for “the golden hare treasure hunt.” And then there is the Greystone Nature Reserve, a castle farm run as an organic farm complete with hay-cutting, silage and grazing. Within the farm is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).