SOME USEFUL WEBSITE LINKS
Staying at the White Hart in Winchcombe puts a huge range of popular destinations and tourist attractions within easy reach.
The idyllic Cotswold town of Winchcombe contains many historic buildings including a beautiful medieval church, ancient alms houses and a host of traditional shops, while Sudeley Castle, once occupied by Henry VIII¹s sixth and final wife, Catherine Parr, is just a short walk away.
Winchcombe is an ideal base for walking in the Cotswolds being at the intersection of many footpaths including the Cotswold Way, the Gloucestershire Way, the Wardens Way. The White Hart offers the ideal base for touring the Cotswolds and is within easy reach of Cheltenham which is great for shopping, Broadway and Stratford-upon-Avon with six Shakespeare Houses to visit, plus the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Oxford with punting and the endlessly fascinating Pitt Rivers Museum. Excellent walking and biking and touring routes are nearby.
We have tried to link to as many useful information websites to help make your stay with us as enjoyable as possible. If you have any questions about the local area, please don¹t hesitate to get in touch.
Local attractions
Cheltenham is conveniently less than a hundred miles from London, seven miles from Winchcombe and an ideal base
for touring into the Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon and Bath. Most of the town centre lies within a conservation area of outstanding national importance. Regency town houses , characterised by intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco facades, line the historic Promenade, squares and terraces. With its award-winning gardens, impressive range of stylish shops and restaurants, and its festivals of horse racing, music and literature, Cheltenham has a cosmopolitan ambience to beguile the most jaded spirit.
Sudeley Castle is one of England's most delightful historic houses - Set against the picturesque splendour of rolling Cotswold hills, Sudeley is located half a mile across the meadows to the south east of the town centre.
http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk
Hailes Abbey enjoys a beautiful setting on the western fringe of the Cotswolds surrounded by wooded pasture. The museum displays include some fine examples of medieval sculpture and decorated floor tiles.
More information
Winchcombe Folk and Police Museum A small registered museum run entirely by volunteers, which displays a folk collection which deals with the fascinating history of Winchcombe and its people, a police collection including British and International uniforms and equipment both historic and modern and family local history folders and information. Tel 01242 609151 http://www.sunloch.demon.co.uk/museum.htm
Winchcombe Pottery Established in 1926 on the site of a pottery dating back to the early 1800's makes it one of the longest running craft potteries in the country making some of the finest and most practical domestic pottery in the world. Tel 01242 602462 http://www.winchcombepottery.co.uk
For more information about Winchcombe events and walking click here
COTSWOLD ATTRACTIONS
Birdland - Park and Gardens Bourton-on-the-Water
For adults and children of all ages. Seven acres of woodland, river and gardens, inhabited by over 500 birds, flamingos, pelicans, penguins and cranes.Picnic areas, cafe, gifts and play area.
Tel: 01451 820480. http://www.birdland.co.uk
The Miniature Village a small-scale faithful recreation of the town of Bourton itself, through which the children can stroll like Gulliver in Lilliput. More information
The Model Railway Exhibition an indoor exhibition of half a dozen working models of complex railway networks, that will entertain children of all ages for hours. Tel 01451 820686 www.bourtonmodelrailway.co.uk
Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection
For adults and older children. Famous as the home of "Brum" the little car from the childrens' TV series, this collection of vehicles includes cars, motorcycles and caravans displayed with all kinds of memorabilia. The Maze, next door to Birdland and a challenge to the most adventurous child Allow yourself a full day for a visit to Bourton on the Water.Tel 01451 821255 http://www.cotswold-motor-museum.com
Cotswold Farm Park
A rare treat for all the family and especially children. From Gloucester cattle to Guernsey goats, Cotswold sheep to Crested ducks, there is a rare British breed for every week of the year. Animal audio tour, tractor school and Farm Safari Ride. Touch animals, adventure playground, pets corner, gift shop, and cafe.
Tel:01451 850307 www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk
Cotswold Water Park & Keynes Country Park
For adults and children of all ages. Britain's largest Water Park - 132 great lakes south of Cirencester. All outdoor needs are satisfied including:- nature reserves, country parks, water sports, Thames Path, cycling, fishing, riding, caravanning and camping. Safe summer bathing , lakeside cafe, walks cycling, barbecues, children's play area, bike, boat, and surf bike hire. Waterland outdoor activities centre. Disabled wheelchair access at Keynes Country Park. Tel: 01285 860186 www.waterpark.org
Cotswold Wild Life Park -Burford
For adults and children of all ages. The great favourites are the rhinos which roam in a wide ranging field.The Park exhibits over 200 animal species in approximately 200 acres of parkland and beautiful gardens with a fine variety of plants around a setting of a listed Victorian Manor House. Facilities include cafe, picnic areas, adventure playground, narrow-gauge railway, and gift shop. Disabled wheelchair access provided for. Tel: 01993 823006. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway
The Steam Railway is based at Toddington (between Broadway and Winchcombe) and operates a round trip of 13 miles.Departing from the restored station at Toddington you will travel past the village of Didbrook and the site of Hailes Abbey onto Winchcombe and finally Gotherington. Tel 01242 621405. www.gwsr.com
Prinknash Bird and Deer Park
For adults and children of all ages. See one of the biggest collections of displaying peacocks, the numerous waterfowl, the exotic pheasants, ducklings, the amusing Pygmy goats and the lovely two storey Tudor Wendy house by the lake.
Open all year. Prinknash Park, Cranham, GL4 8EX. Tel: 01452 812727 http://www.prinknash-bird-and-deerpark.com
Warwick Castle
A great day out for both adults and children. The Castle is one of the best preserved in the UK and dates back to William the Conqueror. Here you can experience the sights and sounds of the medieval household, chilling dungeon and torture chambers, state rooms, towers and ramparts. In addition there are live shows of sword fighting, falconry, and knights jousting. This venue is a must for children of all ages.
Tel: 01926 406600. www.warwick-castle.co.uk
Cirencester , an attractive town in its own right but also the home of arguably the best and most child-friendly Roman Museum in the country. If your youngsters are on to the Romans at school see if you can get permission to go up the tower of the church in the market place; from the top you get a magnificent view of the four Roman roads running as straight as an arrow into the far distance.
http://www.cirencester.co.uk