Buckland Manor

During our explorations in the Cotswolds, we decided to stay at Buckland Manor, a traditional country house hotel situated in the small hamlet of Buckland. The core of the house was originally built in the 13th century, and wings were added through the centuries. The property was first mentioned as early as 600 AD, when the original structure was listed in the records of Gloucester Abbey.

The house stayed in the possession of the Abbey until 1536 when it passed into the hands of the Grensham family. Since that time, it has been occupied by several different families until being turned into a boutique hotel. In World War II, it was occupied by the Red Cross.

Next to the hotel is St. Michael's church which dates from the 13th century and has changed little since the Middle Ages.

It's surrounded by beautiful rose gardens,

which were in full bloom on this September weekend.

The surrounding landscape is spectacular with views of grazing sheep and horses.

The grounds draw you out of the hotel and invite you to explore.

Everywhere you turn there are soothing views,

flowers in bloom,

and views of the fertile Vale of Evesham.

Inside the hotel, the thirteen guest rooms are beautifully furnished. Views through the leaded glass windows remind you of what surroundings await you just outside.

Cozy rooms, furnished with antiques

invite you to relax

and make you feel welcome at every turn.

Seasons of our lives

Fall can sneak in quietly at the end of a summer you hope won't slip away,

or can enter with confidence in a blaze of glory.

Such is the case in the Cotswold landscape, where fall has not entered meekly.

It shouts for attention

and demands one sit up and take notice.

The process of change

leads to a pause

and moments of reflection,

giving thanks

for the seasons

of our lives.

Savor each and every one. The fruit is ripe for the picking. Reach out and enjoy.

Holy Ground in the Cotswolds

As we traveled through the Cotswolds, we were struck by the beauty of the ancient churches that we found in each town. Many dated back to the 11th century when they were first erected.

Some are even older than medieval times. This charming one was in the town of Lower Slaughter.

Attached to each church was a graveyard showing signs of age.

If the walls could talk, what stories would they tell?

Stories of births, marriages and even deaths.

Many graced by beautiful glass such as this one in Burford

and another in the small village of Bibury

where its cemetery marked the graves of townspeople from long ago.

One of the most spectacular churches was St. James in Chipping Campden. Its beauty can be attributed to the rich wool merchants of the 15th century,

and is one of the finest churches in the Cotswolds built in the Perpendicular style.

On not quite as grand a scale, but of a lot of interest to us was the ancient church that was adjacent to the manor house where we stayed in the petite village of Buckland. More about that manor house in a later post.

Although parts of it displayed signs of neglect, the church was overall in great shape for a structure which dates from the 13th century.

Strolling the grounds of the church and the cemetery we caught beautiful views of the pastoral landscape.

Inside angels guarded memorials from long ago,

such as this one for James Thynne, who died in 1708/9.

While strolling through the village of Stanton, I was surprised to spy something perched on top of the steeple.

Some brave soul was gilding or painting the weather vane.

Now that's one brave soul who's doing "heavenly" work! Wonder if he gets hazard pay?

Homes in the Cotswolds

I wonder what it would be like to live in the Cotswolds surrounded by pastoral landscapes,

sheep at every turn,

with rock fences keeping them contained, and separating land from one owner to another?

Which village would I want to live in? We must have visited about 10 towns.

Mike and I played a game on our travels. Which house would we choose to live in if we could pick? Maybe you'd like to play along? This is house number 1.

Maybe you would prefer a timbered house-number 2,

with a stone slate roof so common to most houses.

Or perhaps this one would strike your fancy-number 3.

Some were slightly obscured from the road-number 4,

or surrounded by a well cared-for garden- number 5.

This one seemed to be a newer construction- number 6.

How about one with a thatched roof? Number 7

Being practical, you might choose one with a new "roof job." Number 8

This one was a former church converted to a home-a holy selection, to be sure. Number 9

Or you might have big dreams of a manor house. There were several in the region that could be yours. This is number 10. How about it? Where do you think you could put down roots? I'll be anxious to hear your selections, and then I'll tell you mine.