Established in 1971, Cotswold Farm Park can be aptly described as a
pageant of history on four legs. Alongside the serious aims of
conservation and education, visitors of all ages will find themselves
easily entertained. On display is an unrivalled collection of rare
breeds of British farm animals including sheep, cattle, pigs, goats,
horses, poultry and waterfowl. Why not take a stroll along the Wildlife Walk, enjoy a Horse Fun Ride or take a break in the Cotswold Kitchen cafe.
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Originally laid out between 1696 and 1705, Westbury Court is the only
restored Dutch water garden in the country – a rare and beautiful
survival. Visitors can explore canals, clipped hedges and working 17th
century vegetable plots, and dicover many old varieties of fruit trees.
Westbury court is reputedly home to England's oldest evergreen oak and
contains many other 16th and 17th-century trees and shrubs.
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Bourton-on-the-Water is is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the
Cotswolds.’ The River Windrush runs right through the centre, and the
combination of clear sparkling water and the attractive low bridges
make this a popular destination. Houses are built in the traditional
honey coloured Cotswold stone. Attractions including the Model Village and Birdland. Visit nearby Salmonsbury Meadows wildlife reserve, or simply stroll
around the village and shops, stopping off in a pub for a leisurely
drink.
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Dyrham Park is a spectacular late 17th-century 'William and Mary'
mansion, nestling in 274 acres of ancient garden and deer park. The
lavish 17th-century collections reflect the fashion for all things
Dutch and the Victorian domestic quarters give an insight into life
below stairs. There are elegant formal gardens, woodland, and lakes to
explore. Dyrham Park was also the film location for Remains of the Day
(1993). Facilities include a shop/plant sales and cafe/restaurant.
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Housed over three storeys in a Victorian warehouse in the heart of the
city’s historic Gloucester Docks, The National Waterways Museum
recreates the story of the people who lived and worked on the canals. Hear tales from former workers, see historic craft and discover how fortunes were made and lost
through the museum’s interactive share game. The boat collection includes narrow-boats, river barges, canal and river tugs, as well as a steam powered dredger.
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Chedworth Roman Villa is the 1700 year old remains of one of Britain's largest
Romano-British villas set in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Discover over a mile of walls, surviving mosaics, hypocausts,
bath-houses, a water shrine and latrines. Visit the museum which houses
objects from the villa and an audio visual presentation. Facilities
include a shop selling gifts and snacks. During the summer, exciting
Living History events for children help bring archaeology to life.
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The City Museum in Gloucester houses collections including a group of
iron-age treasures buried around AD 50 along with their owner, Roman
and Norman archaeology and artefacts such as the Gloucester Tables Set
– playing pieces carved from antler. There are paintings by Turner and 17th century Dutch masters including Jan Bruegel. Alongside them are works by great 18th and 19th century British
painters such as Thomas Gainsborough and John Atkinson
Grimshaw.
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Housed in a 17th century wool merchant's mansion with a smart
modern extension, the Museum in the Park in Stroud houses more than
5,000 objects, most of which relate to the local area. They range from
dinosaur and mammoth remains to Roman altars, landscape paintings and
two of the world's first lawnmowers! There's a lively programme of exhibitions and events
throughout the year, and facilities include a gift shop and cafe.
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The World of Mechanical Music is a museum of self playing musical
instruments and automata. Listen to Rachmaninov and Gerschwin giving
concert performances of their own compositions on the 'reproducing
pianos in the Victorian Drawing Room. Savour the decadence of 'Cabaret'
with a performance from the 1920's Berlin Cafe Piano, and hear the
latest in 'Hi-Fi' from the1930's on the enormous E.M.G. handmade
gramophone.
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The Cotswold Way is a long distance walking Trail that runs between the
market town of Chipping Campden in the north and the city of Bath in
the south. At 102 miles long, it runs for most of its length along the Cotswold hills, and passes through many picturesque
villages and close to a significant number of historic sites. These include
example the Roman heritage at Bath, Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe, Hailes Abbey and many
beautiful churches and historic houses.
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