A Visitors Guide To Cotswold Historical Sites
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B
Belas Knap
Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.
www.english-heritage.org.uk

The great Neolithic Long Barrow can be found about 1½ miles south west of Winchcombe, along a narrow lane to Charlton Abbots. The monument sitting on top of a hill overlooking Humblebee Wood.  was built about 3000BC and extends 178 feet. Excavations  were carried out in 1863-5 and 1928-30. 
No admission charge.

Bishops Palace
Witney, Oxfordshire.
(01993 775802.
Bath Abbey Heritage Vaults
Bath Abbey, Bath, Somerset.
(01225 422462.

The Heritage Vaults tell the story of Bath Abbey and its 1600 years of history. The exhibition includes Saxon and Norman stonework and a reconstruction of Bath Cathedral. The Vaults are open everyday except Sundays, and religious bank holidays. There is an admission charge.

Brackenbury Ditches
North Nibley, Gloucestershire.

This unexcavated Iron Age hill fort is  4 acres in size. Although overgrown somewhat, the ramparts , ditches and the entrance at the south end are visible.

C
Chedworth Roman Villa JJJJ
Yanworth, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire,
GL54 3LJ. (01242 890256.  
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

This National Trust property is near Yanworth and  about 3 miles from the Fosse Way  lies in a wooded valley and is probably the best surviving Roman villa complex in the country. The villa was discovered in 1864 by a gamekeeper and became the property of the National Trust in 1924. 
There is an admission charge and the villa is open February to November.

Crickley Hill
Birdlip, Gloucestershire.

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H
Hailes Abbey JJJJ
Nr Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5PB. (01242 602398.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Built in 1250 and dissolved in 1539 the Abbey was one of the most important Abbey's in England. It was said to hold a phial of Sacred Blood collected at the Crucifixion, but this was later exposed as a hoax. The visitor is accompanied by an audio commentary while touring the ruined building and the monks will take you back to the days of the working Abbey. There is an admission charge and National Trust members gain free entry.

Hetty Peglers Tump
Uley, Gloucestershire.

www.english-heritage.org.uk

Hetty Peglers Tump
This 180foot Neolithic Barrow is just a short walk from the B4066. The monument entrance is  surrounded by a stone wall leading to a long  central chamber which can be entered through the doorway, although uncomfortable on hands and knees, and accompanied with a torch, it is well worth the trouble. The monument was built over 4000 years ago and is in the stewardship of English Heritage.    
There is no admission charge.

K
Kiftsgate Stone
Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.
M
Minster Lovell Hall JJJ
Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Minchinhampton Bulwarks
Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire.

minchinhamptonbulwarks.jpg (44094 bytes)

N
Nan Tow's Tump
Oldbury on the Hill, Gloucestershire.

North Leigh Roman Villa
North Leigh, Witney, Oxfordshire.
 
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Notgrove Long Barrow
Notgrove, Gloucestershire.

www.english-heritage.org.ukNotgrove Long BarrowIn the care of English Heritage the Neolithic Long Barrow was excavated in the 1930's. The Barrow consists of two pairs of side chambers and a gallery grave with an ante-chamber. Several skeletons were found during the dig and the finds are held a Cheltenham Museum. Due to vandalism the Barrow was filled and all that remains of the 150 foot monument is a grass covered hump which still gives an impressive view of the size.             
There is no admission charge.

Nymphsfield Long Barrow
Nymphsfield, Gloucestershire.

www.english-heritage.org.uk

nymps.jpg (48206 bytes)The monument can be found at Coaley Peak picnic area off the B4066. The site was excavated in 1937 and again in the 1970's. The 90 foot long barrow dates from 2900BC and excavations revealed a gallery grave, an entrance with convex horns and a terminal chamber. The tomb contained 15 skeletons, pottery and other burial offerings which are on display at Stroud Museum. The cairn has been removed to leave the tomb open. The monument is in the care of English Heritage. There is no admission charge.
O
Old Sodbury Hill Fort
Old Sodbury, Gloucestershire.
R
Rollright Stones
Great Rollright, Oxfordshire.
www.rollrightstones.co.uk

The ancient Bronze Age monument, dating from 2000-1800BC is close to the A3400, Stow on the World road  near Long Compton. There are three sites associated with the monument, the Stone Circle itself, 100 feet across with seventy stones, which it is said that visitors cannot count the same number twice,  the Whispering Knights, a group of five stones which are the remains of a long barrow and the King, a solitary stone.
There is a small admission charge to the Stone Circle.

Roman Baths and Pump Room
Pump Room, Abbey Churchyard, Bath,
Somerset. (01225 477785.
www.romanbaths.co.uk 

The Roman Baths give a fascinating look at the Roman way of life 2000 years ago in Britain and which is the greatest religious spa in Northern Europe. Open all year. Admission is charged.

S
Salmonsbury Hill Fort
Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire.
Sapperton Tunnel
Coates, Gloucestershire.
sappertontunnel2.jpg (22281 bytes)

Sapperton Tunnel is about midway along the Thames and Severn Canal and is  2½ miles long and was first used in 1789.The Tunnel took five years to build and cuts through the Cotswold escarpment. The two portals at each end can be found at the Daneway and the Tunnel House Inn both good local public houses. Open any reasonable time.

Spoonley Roman Villa
Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.
T
Tyndale Monument
North Nibley, Gloucestershire.
U
Uley Bury Hill Fort
Uley, Gloucesterhire.
W
Great Witcombe Roman Villa
Brockworth, Gloucestershire.witcomberomanvilla.jpg (51268 bytes)
(0117 9750700
www.english-heritage.org.uk

 

Great Witcombe Roman Villa is in the stewardship of English Heritage and is open at all reasonable times. The villa formed the centrepiece of a great country estate, built in the 3rd century and abandoned in the 5th century. The mosaic buildings are only open a certain times of the year.
Not accessible for wheelchairs and the villa is built on a slope.  more....