Bourton-on-the-Water: It felt like a dream!

Little venice of UK, that's how this small village town is famously known in the Cotswold. The picturesque high street of the village is lined with stone bridges constructed over the Windrush River. Coming from the land of the Ganges one would think that this little tributary to the Thames is perhaps a cosmetic canal until you realise that the pristine clear water is actually a flowing river! A river that is full of Mandarin ducks wading through the day and then families flocking around impromptu picnics all along this beautiful water-front.

Little Venice of the Cotswold.

River Windrush and the legendary view of Bourton-on-the-Water Bridge.

Mandarin ducks spread along the water-front.

The perfect timepass and attraction for Children and adults!

Bakery on the Water

While at Bourton-on-the-Water, one can't miss 'Bakery on the Water'. Just a few strides from the bus stop, I was drawn to this family run bakery with its fresh bakery fragrance that filled the early morning air. No wonder it adds to the feeling of a magical village! I had my scrumptious share of sausage patty and a steaming hot cup of cocoa before I set out explore more.  

High street with boutique stores and irresistible restaurants

The high street is a shoppers delight. With boutique shops lined up one after the other, the lure for food and drinks is in equal demand, all this along a bee-line of speciality restaurants spread across this water front. The variety is beyond imagination. Whether it is Garden Equipments or a local perfumery or the 365 Day Santa Shop this little landscape has the works! I didn't miss a single store on that rue...

My lunch by the river side at a superb Cotswold Pub.

Truly the nook around the corner. Irresistible products on display. I would've bought the shop if were in INR currency! 

A popular Tea-house tucked away in a silent corner of the road.

The most inviting Sweet-shop I have ever encountered! The little joys of being in Cotswold.

Relics & Tourist Attractions: While at Bourton you just can't miss these...

• The Model Village: A 1:9 replica of the village built by an artist in the 1930's. You will surely feel like 'Gulliver' on his travel in this model village.

• Cotswold Motoring Museum: For all motoring enthusiasts, this museum displays the motoring history of the 20th century. 

• Cotswold Pottery: the home and studio of ceramic artists John and Jude Jelfs. A must visit for everyone who loves pottery!

• Summer Medieval Football Tournaments: Time yourself for a wet football match right here on the Windrush. The goal posts are set-up on the river while everyone around gets wet and really wet during this event! I sure plan to have one personal trip planned during this enchanting season... 

More on the village, its historic relevance and a trek back to Stow-on-the-Wold, all coming up shortly in the next post!

Winding roads, leisure out-house decor that reflects the lifestyle of the Cotswold and historic relics...

In case you have missed my journey thus far, do click on these links to read through the Cotswold experience:

• From Kitchen Karma to Bourton-on-Water via Moreton-in-Marsh, the Cotswold countryside
• Moreton-in-Marsh: a great halt destination if Cotswold is on your travel bucket list

Open invitation to my readers:
Planning a UK trip and want some interesting Cotswold planning tips? Do write back. Happy to share some tips and places that will make your holiday beyond memorable, especially if you are single woman on wunderlust!

So, until the next read...

Xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

Moreton-in-Marsh: a great halt destination if Cotswold is on your travel bucket list.

Moreton-in-Marsh, is a thriving Market Town located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode Valley.

As we arrive at the rail station.

Apart from the fact that it is one of the most connected Cotswold towns, it is also famous for its popular agricultural show called 'Moreton in Marsh Show- The Countryside in a Day' This annual event is held on the first weekend of September every year and boasts an action packed itenary both for the trade buyers and the spectators. To know more on what can be done at this show, click here! As for me, I missed it by exactly one week!

1000 year old town with elegant 17th & 18th century building:

Moreton-in-Marsh is the most quaint habitat I had ever come across in the recent past. I arrived here on a wet and early weekend morning when the town was just about waking up. The stroll around the quiet streets had a nostalgic feeling attached to it. The town is nearly 1000 years old (dates back to the Saxon era) and each of its structures clearly boasted heritage- all lined with elegant 17th and 18th Century buildings.

Railway Station Gaurd Room at Moreton-in-Marsh.

English Country Homes

Iconic Cotswold Limestone Structure- The Old Post Office.

Series of homes yet uniquely different!

Boutique shops and B&B's:

Stark change from the commercial cities, I could finally see boutique shops with most attractive looking display windows. I yearned to lift some of them exactly the way they were back to Mumbai. Sigh! So much for wishful thinking... :)
 

Allium Florists, such a romantic stop!

Spoilt for choices- these sway just outside the florists shop!

A beautiful window that boasts the silhouette of floral decoration a few block down the florists shop.

Bed & Breakfast is a popular choice at Moreton-in-Marsh and evidently so given the proximity of this town to other distant Cotswold attractions. The rail connect is a huge advantage for tourists and thereafter the Towns connectivity via Bus builds on its share as the preferred stay destination.

An inviting B&B that contrasts the earthy tones with a stark blue.

If you are planning your Cotswold trip I highly recommend using Moreton-in-Marsh as one of the central stay halts. If you wondering what you can do at Moreton-in-Marsh, click here and get started on your plans!

And if you were wondering why I landed up at Moreton-in-Marsh, do stop over and read my post- From Kitchen Karma to Bourton-on-Water via Moreton-in-Marsh, the Cotswold countryside!

Next up- Bourton-on-Water.

Until then...

Xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

From Kitchen Karma to Bourton-on-Water via Moreton-in-Marsh, the Cotswold countryside

One sultry May afternoon I stumbled upon the vivacious Kitchen Karma's "weekend break" blog post from the English Countryside.
Her narration clearly encapsulated the excitement of her trip and she made her adventure with her 'Girls only' escapade simply irresistible.

Cotswold now was on my most desired bucket-list!

Cotswold on the web:

As Google says: "A rural area of south central England covering parts of 6 counties, notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Its rolling hills and grassland harbour thatched medieval villages, churches and stately homes built of distinctive local yellow limestone. The 102-mile Cotswold Way walking trail follows the Cotswold Edge escarpment from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north." 

Well, how can one resist the enticing feeling of being amidst this magical abode!

Wish come true: Universe grants my deepest desire!

Nursing the desire to explore this personally it almost felt like Universe granted me a wish exactly a year and a half later. I was part of a special assignment at work which required for me to travel to London and spend a work week training with my colleagues in the UK. I managed to squeeze in a couple more days for a quick escapade to my deepest desire- The Cotswold!

Glimpses of UK

Planning my trip to Cotswold: 

My end destination: Burton-on-Water and my mode of transport could be nothing other than train followed by the Pulhams Bus to take me on this adventure. Afterall, feeling the countryside was critical to the overall experience.

Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-Water via Stow-on-the-Wold:

To reach Burton-on-Water I needed to travel to the closest rail station Moreton-in-Marsh, a small quaint English village that had a stunning Railway Station and a cute Bust-stop a few steps away.

My destination station as I continue to explore Cotswold.

Moreton-in-Marsh, makes me want to eat it! :)

The quaint little station after a spell of rain.

This is where I got onto my connecting Bus.

I took the First Great Western Rail to get to my destination while I enjoyed the beautiful sights of Reading and Oxford en-route. The 5th stop from Paddington landed me at Moreton-in-Marsh.

The railways are so similar to the ones in India.

View of the terrains from my train ride.

Somewhere between Reading & Oxford.

A connecting Pulhams Bus reached me to Bourton-on-Water via Stow-on-the-Wold, again another small quaint town with the most stunning winding roads interspersed with ponds and vast green meadows.

On my bus ride, the clouds made me wonder whether I'd have a wet one!

Intersection of the roads lined with luscious greens and contrasting skies!

While I traversed through God's stunning creation I also crossed 2 more little villages Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter which would eventually become part of my unplanned trek on my way back later in that day!

Each of these are little stops need an independent post to give you the experience of this amazing land called Cotswold. Over the next few stay tuned as my English adventure unfolds!

Until then...

Xoxo
Sensuous2Spiritual

  

Pumpkin in a bush. Oh! so often on a village walk...

Strolling along the mud path of the villages of India, encountering numerous pumpkin wines effortlessly climbing various types of supports is more than often; a blind spot.

To me they make exciting subjects for a shoot. Also, I have a vested interest. Almost in all my walks I get lucky, I get to carry the tasty fruit back home! :D

Sharing a few shots from some of my recent escapades with you lovely people.

Did you know: 
Pumpkin flowers make very tasty fritter! A Bengali household delicacy, here is the recipe just for you:

Ingredients

Pumpkin Blossom (Kumro Phool) 8 nos.

Besan (Bengal Gram) 1/2 cup

Maida (All purpose flour) 2 tbsp.

Green chillies, 2 nos., finely chopped

Poppy seeds (Posto) 1 tsp.

Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp.

Asafoetida (Hing), a pinch (optional)

Baking soda, a pinch

Salt as per taste

Water to make the batter

Oil for deep frying

Preparation

Make a smooth thick batter with besan, maida, green chillies, posto, turmeric powder, asafoetida, baking soda and salt.

Heat oil in a wok. Dip each blossom in the batter and put into the hot oil. Fry each side for about 2 minutes or until they are crisp and golden brown in colour.

With a slotted spoon, remove the fritters from the oil and place on a paper towel so that the excess oil gets soaked.

Serve hot with a good brew of tea.