Salperton

Another very warm, sunny day in the Cotswolds!  This is a little ramble around the little know and little visited village of Salperton in the Central Cotswolds.  Its an estate village, meaning the entire village is owned by the manor house.  Everyone that lives here is a long term tenant, but  they have their homes, and village, kept in immaculate condition by the local landowner.  Not a bad deal!

A Foggy Spring Round Miserden and Caudle Green

This is a walk I'd been meaning to take for quite some time.  These two pretty villages- well, Caudle Green is more of a hamlet- really are off the beaten path, even by Cotswolds standards.  They lie at the head of the Golden Valley, and the views they offer are as dramatic as they are beautiful.  The walk is fairly well documented, and well sign posted.  Even though it was a lovely Saturday morning, it was very quiet.  I only came across one horse rider and one couple walking their dogs during the whole 5 1/2 miles!

Rolling hills coming down into Misarden Park

The ornamental lake in Misarden Park

A very unusual green/turquoise water, teaming with waterfowl

The young River Frome

Shetland ponies outside Caudle Green

Daffodils coming up on the green

Old Cotswold house on Caudle Green's green- vast views over the valley below!

Mile of open pasture land heading back to Miserden

Parkland with Miserden just visible up ahead

Looking back into he valley

Can you spot the horses that kept watch as we ascended back to the village?

The view from this house's back garden is the two photos above. 

Some interesting mixed architecture in the village

One of two honesty "shops" in the village

A grand entrance to the church

War Memorial opposite the church

The village shop & Post Office.  It was really busy and very well stocked!

The Most Haunted Place in the Cotswolds?

Any list I've come across of the "most haunted place in the Cotswolds" lists Woodchester Mansion as number one.  Or at least puts it in the top ten.  I shall leave it to you to decide, should you ever visit.  What I can certainly say, however, is that this unfinished Jacobean mansion set deep in a remote valley near Stroud is as fascinating as it is beautiful.

We went there today for a look, and are looking forward to returning again soon.  I've taken a few photos, including a set from the cellars, where paranormal researchers routinely carry out studies, as this is supposedly a "hot spot" for otherworldly activity.  There just may be a ghost or two captured in the photos... if you spot one, please let me know.

Details of the property and its history are here- http://www.woodchestermansion.org.uk/HomePage.aspx.  And if you want to see just how frightening this place can be, try the all night ghost hunt this Halloween!  http://www.dusktilldawnevents.co.uk/halloween-in-woodchester-mansion-ghost-hunt-p-690.html

And now for the cellar.  Again, if you think you see anything, let me know!

A Spicy Walk around the Farmcotes

It was another delightful day in the Cotswolds today, so we struck out early for a 5k ramble between Little Farmcote and the neighbouring bustling metropolis of Farmcote.  Little Farmcote has three houses, and Farmcote about seven.

There are huge, panoramic views throughout most of the walk, and arguably some of the finest in the area.  The walk uses part of the Winchcombe Way and a bit of the Cotswold Way, and is a circular route between the two villages.  Farmcote itself is gorgeous.  A short, single track lane with just a few houses, each made of honey coloured stone, all perched along the top of the wolds at over 260 meters.  There is also a very pretty little Saxon church, St. Faith's, that is well worth a visit.

Now, for the spicy bit.  Farmcote is home to the one and only Farmcote Herbs and Chilli Peppers.  Not only is the location along well worth a visit- the views from here are some of the best- you can stop by to pick up over 250 kinds of fresh herbs, all manner of chilli peppers and products (Gloucester Old Spot chilli sausages, chili chocoloate, sauces and chutneys, chilli burgers) to take home.  And, if you are on a long walk on a hot day, as we were, they sell some really lovely country ice cream, and have cold water to fill your bottles straight from a Cotswold spring!  

If this has piqued your interest, and you'll be in the area on 20 & 21 August, stop by for their annual Chilli Festival.  Both days from 10:30am to 5pm, and featuring BBQ, Beer Tent, Tea Tent, Live Music, stalls selling handcrafts, and , of course, all manner of chili-related products, including chilli ice cream and chocolate.

See you there!