Towns and Villages I - N

Ilmington

Large and impressive Cotswold village in the very north Cotswolds. The stone here is orange brown, quarried from the hill behind.

Kemble

5 miles south-west of Cirencester, with a railway station on the main London line. The heart of the village around the church retains its rural atmosphere. Nearby Ewen is on the upper reaches of the still-infant Thames.

Kempsford

Large village close to Fairford and alongside the River Thames on the Gloucestershire/ Wiltshire county boundary. John of Gaunt, son of Edward III and Lord of the Manor, is credited with building the tower between 1386 and 1399.

King's and Leonard Stanley

King's Stanley is rich in both Roman and medieval history and was also a centre of nonconformity: the Baptist Church dates from 1640. On the outskirts of King's Stanley is Stanley Mill, built in 1812, used for the manufacture of fine cloth. Leonard Stanley is a prosperous wool village with Saxon origins, which merited a visit by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1535.

Kingham

Another railway station, in the Valley of the Evenlode. The large village is a mile away, attractively grouped around its church and green.

Latton

Turn at the simple but elegant village cross to explore the one street leading to the church and then away into the fields. The restored towpath of the nearby Thames and Severn Canal provides an excellent way to explore this region.

Lechlade-on-Thames

The source of the River Thames is in the Cotswolds and the river begins its working life here, becoming navigable and leading to London. Today, Lechlade is popular with leisure traffic on the river, overseen by the Neptune-like statue of Old Father Thames at St John's Lock. A market town, Lechlade is focused around a market place and the Church of St Lawrence, whose spire is a landmark across the meadows. In the churchyard, the poet Shelley sat and found the inspiration to compose 'A Summer Evening Churchyard, Lechlade.' Visit and you might find the 'dim and distant Spire' clothed 'in hues of heaven'. Nearby Buscot House can be visited along a towpath walk from Lechlade. Also nearby, Kelmscott Manor was William Morris's summer home for 25 years; he signed the lease with Dante Gabriel Rosetti in 1871.

The Leigh

A tiny hamlet set at the edge of the Severn wash land. Lovely medieval church. The Old Manor Court House was once used to settle local disputes.

Longborough

Well-sited on the hill slopes above the Evenlode Valley just north of Stow-on-the-Wold. The source of one of the original Cotswold Morris Dancing traditions.

Lower Oddington

See Oddington futher down the page.

Malmesbury

Market town built on a hill in a bend of the River Avon (the Wiltshire one). A Saxon settlement with a distinguished history, medieval defences and street plan, with a large open market place and a 15th century market cross. The Abbey Garden has been revived by the "Naked Gardeners" and is framed by the magnificent Abbey ruins.

Maugersbury

Near Stow-on-the-Wold, but older than the town, this hamlet has fine views over the valley to Icomb Hill. There are no less than six fine 17th century farmhouses. On busy days head to Maugersbury to escape the crowds in Stow.

Mickleton

Mickleton is 3 miles north of Chipping Campden on the Stratford road, with thatched as well as stone houses. On the hills to the east are two fine gardens; Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court, which attract thousands of visitors each year.

Minchinhampton

Minchinhampton is a small town with a long history on the hills above Stroud, with the extensive 580 acre common to the west. Fine views all around, especially into the Golden and Nailsworth Valleys. Long ago, this was a centre for woollen cloth production using domestic hand looms. Neighbouring Gatcombe Estate hosts the annual horse trials.

Miserden

Together with Edgeworth just down the road, this is attractive and wooded country above the western valleys of the Cotswolds. Edgeworth is scattered around the hillside and Sudgrove is a farming hamlet between the two.

Moreton-in-Marsh

Many visitors ask where the marsh is, but the old Henmarsh (a boggy place where birds were found) is long gone. Moreton-in-Marsh still has a 'boundary' feel located towards the northern edge of the Cotswolds with the nearby Four Shires Stone marking the old meeting point of four counties; Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Oxfordshire. With its direct link to London by rail, the town is a good place to start exploring the Cotswolds. It is also well-placed at the crossing of the Roman Fosse Way (still a major link across the Cotswolds), and the London to Worcester road for which it served as a coaching town.

The long and wide High Street is a clue to its origins as a planned market town of the 13th century. Moreton has the largest open-air street market in the Cotswolds, every Tuesday, with a Charter granted by Charles I. There are some fine buildings, including a rare Curfew Tower, with its original clock and bell, dated 1633. Houses and shops of the 18th and 19th century line the High Street, and in the centre is the Redesdale Hall, dating from 1887, the main public hall. The annual Moreton Show is a major celebration of past and present farming life in the area.

Nailsworth

Nailsworth is a lively artistic town with many gift and craft shops, a newly-opened pottery and high quality restaurants making it popular with foodies.

Naunton

The River Windrush flows through the village and water meadows making it picturesque. Mentioned in the Domesday book as Niwetone.

North Farmcote

Set high on the Cotswold scarp with, therefore, great views of the surrounding countryside, North Farmcote is close to Winchcombe and well situated for walking, with the Cotswold Way running through the village.

Northleach

A few years ago the main road from Oxford to Gloucester ran through Northleach. Since then, this beautiful town has been bypassed and so has returned to a time when traffic was more of a novelty. The magnificent Church of St Peter and St Paul at Northleach can claim to be a 'Cathedral of the Cotswolds'. A fine example of 15th century Cotswold perpendicular, with some of the best wool merchants' brasses in the country. The church stands just off the market place.

North Nibley

A thriving village community situated on the edge of the south Cotswolds and the site of the last private battle in England - The Battle of Nibley Green in 1470. William Tyndale, translator of the Bible into English and martyr, has a monument situated high above the village; climb the steps to the top for an extensive view over the Severn Vale. The community-owned shop and post office holds the key to the Monument for visitors.