Stow On The Wold was probably our least favorite location of an otherwise wonderful trip. While Stow is a picturesque area of the Cotswolds, frankly there was not a lot to do during our free time. However, we did see and do a number of interesting and fun things. On our way to Stow, we stopped along the way at Warwick Castle . Unlike the other castles we visited, Warwick had a number of excellent demonstrations and re-creations. While there is more info below, we must point out that the Winged Warrior and Trebuchet demonstrations were outstanding.
Christin and Warren trying to escape (only kidding) Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
Our next stop was the Old Stocks Hotel in Stow. The hotel was a great place to stay, although our room lacked a shower (picky?...yeah I know...but really a BATH?). Other than that the location was great and the dinning room was very good.
The whole group having a great time Bakers Arms Pub, Bugbrooke (Click to Enlarge)
That evening was a real treat! We boarded our bus for a short trip to the Bakers Arms Pub in Bugbrooks . There we experience a real English pub and were entertained by an outstanding group of local musicians and singers. As you can see from the picture above, our group pretty well filled up the pub and we had a lot of fun! It was one of our best evenings.
Gillian pointing out church details St. Michael & All Angels` Church, Stanton (Click to Enlarge)
On Monday we started the day with breakfast at our hotel. Good Stuff! We then loaded onto our bus and headed out for a tour of the Cotswold. Stopping first in a small town called Stanton we visited St. Michael and All Angels` Church . Gillian gave us a lesson on the history and the high-lights of the church. Stanton was a neat little town with a number of houses and shops, including some really fine examples of thatched roofs. The art work from Anne Prater (right) was on note cards we purchased at the church (they were fund raising).
Our next stop was Chipping Campden . Linda and I took off to St. James Church (there were a couple of things inside we wanted to see) and then into town for some lunch and shopping. Lucky of us, Jack and Jan found a really wonderful silver shop on the upper floor of a building off the main street not far from the center of town. We decided to go over to it and found a really nice solid silver thimble for Linda`s collection.
Roman Well (still running) (Click to Enlarge)
After returning to Stow and retrieving our laundry (Gillian had made arrangements to have it cleaned for us) we and Jack and Jan decided dinner would be best at the hotel. We followed that up with a visit to the Roman well (above) in which water still flowed!
Warwick Castle
The young volunteer in full costum Warwick Castle (Click to Enlarge)
Jack and Jan (center) and Therese (upper right) walking through the ball room Warwick Castle (Click to Enlarge)
Warwick Castle was unlike the other castles we had visited. Warwick had four demonstrations/presentations that helped bring the castle to life.
Starting with the first picture (above left) is the long-bow demonstration. The young man in armor shows why the bow was so important. Bowmen could strike from a distance and using a weapon that effective against armor.
The next picture (above right) and second demonstration shows Jack and Jan walking through the Great Hall on a tour of the Castle titled The Royal Weekend Party. Inside the Castle they have recreated scenes (circa 1898) using wax figures to represent the guests.
The third demonstration is the best. The picture (lower left) shows one of the falconers with an American Eagle. They had a number of birds for the demonstration that they controlled like they were on a remote control. Wow Moment!
The fourth and final demonstration is the trebuchet. While we had to be across the river (for safety) the firing of the trebuchet was terrific. The a very large stone (medicine ball size) was flung hundred of feet. We were hoping for more then one fling, but what we saw was great.
A magnificant American Eagle Warwick Castle
Trebuchet waiting for the launch Warwick Castle
Archery Demonstration outside the entrance Warwick Castle (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Stain glass dedicated to St. Michael St. Michael & All Angels` Church, Stanton (Click to Enlarge)
Gillian introducing us to the church St. Michael & All Angels` Church, Stanton (Click to Enlarge)
Minister Jack in his pulpit St. Michael & All Angels` Church, Stanton (Click to Enlarge)
Damage from parishioner`s pets St. Michael & All Angels` Church, Stanton (Click to Enlarge)
Our group going into the church St. Michael & All Angels` Church, Stanton (Click Picture to Enlarge)
St. Michael & All Angels` Church, Stanton Ingleby Road Stanton by Bridge, Derbyshire DE73 1HU Tel: 01332 862549
Chipping Campden
Linda getting our Lunch Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
Janet and John window shopping Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
Chipping Campden was a great place to visit. It's a small town in the Cotswold with all the fix ens. We visited a church (St James), had lunch from a take-away, bought a solid silver thimble and took in a Collectors Fair. the whole visit only lasted a couple of hours, but it was truly great fun.
Sheryl, Lauren and Kim window shopping Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
Sheila, Therese, JP, Norm, Jack & John at the Market Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
St. James Church
Linda checking out the welcome sign St. James Church, Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
The unique pair of Altar Frontals (c.1500) St. James Church, Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
Cool kneeling pads St. James Church, Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
Vicar`s cape dating to 1400 St. James Church, Chipping Campden (Click to Enlarge)
Across the street from St. James St. James Church, Chipping Campden (Click Picture to Enlarge)
St. James Church Little Glebe Cider Mill Lane Chipping Campden Tel: 01386 841927
Bakers Arms Pub
This was a really great evening. The pub was barely big enough for our group to fit. The food was good, the service was terrific and the entertainment was outstanding! Andy was the lead for the group. They performed for over an hour songs that were both serious and more that were comical. This was the second time during our trip, by the way, that one of the group played the harp. Anyway, we all enjoyed the evening a great deal!
Ordering dinner Bakers Arms Pub, Bugbrooke (Click to Enlarge)
Christin, Warren, John, Janet and Therese enjoying the tunes Bakers Arms Pub, Bugbrooke
From the road Bakers Arms Pub, Bugbrooke (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Bakers Arms Pub The High Street Bugbrooke, Northampton, UK Tel: 01604 830065
The Old Stocks Hotel
We ate two breakfasts and one dinner at the hotel. The food was very good and the service was good. We'd recommend it.
Jenny and Sheila about to dig into desert Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
Christin, Warren, John & Laura having dinner Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
Linda, Jan and Jack at dinner Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
The San Diego Three (Lauren, Sheryl and Kim) Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
Old Stocks Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click Picture to Enlarge)
The Old Stocks Hotel Stow on the Wold Gloucestershire, UK GL54 1AF Tel: 01451 830666 FAX: 01451 870014
The Coffee House
During our afternoon wandering around Stow we came upon The Coffee House and decided to get in out of the cool rain. The seating area was not large, but the chairs and couches were VERY comfortable. We each ordered a warm drink and a 'treat' as well. Both were tasty and appreciated. Definitely recommended.
3-4 Church Street Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 1BB Tel: 01451 870802
The Old Stocks Hotel
A really nice hotel (although we would have liked to have had a shower). As long as you watched your head or watched your step coming out of your room the hotel came with a recommendation.
Our Room, Linda at the sink Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
Our Room (Click to Enlarge)
Watch the first step (outside Jack`s and Jan`s room) Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
Linda demonstrating the wrong way to leave our room Old Stocks Hotel, Stow-On-The-Wold (Click to Enlarge)
Back to The Old Stocks Hotel Chipping Campden (Click Picture to Enlarge)
The Old Stocks Hotel Stow on the Wold Gloucestershire, UK GL54 1AF Tel: 01451 830666 FAX: 01451 870014
