Interesting Towns/Pretty Villages
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Lechlade

Lechlade

Lechlade

Lechlade is a bustling charming town on the Upper Thames between Faringdon and Oxford in the heart of the Cotswolds.  Lechlade has  a well-established infrastructure catering for visitors.

Visit   www.cotswolds.info.  for lots of info on the town and its surrounding area

All the attractions listed below are all within easy reach: 

  •  Halfpenny Bridge, built in 1792, the toll bridge crosses the Thames carrying the A36, and has the original toll keeper's house attached to its east side. It gets its unusual name because of the toll - a payment of one half penny that was once charged for crossing the bridge. The bridge incorporates an arch to allow horses to progress along the towpath on their way to the Thames & Severn Canal entrance at Inglesham.

  • Inglesham Church, a mile from Halfpenny Bridge is one of the oldest "untouched" churches in the area, dating from the 11th Century.  The Church was saved from further decay by the efforts of William Morris, and houses interesting Carolean box pews & the remains of wall paintings dating from the 13th to the 18th century. It is preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust.

  • Trips to Inglesham Round House by Boat are run by the Cotswold Canals Trust on their 12-seater launch from the Riverside Park (just south of Lechlade on the A361). Their web site which gives lots of fascinating detail about this ambitious project is www.cotswoldcanals.com

  • Inglesham Round House, which was built for employees of the Thames & Severn Canal, stands at the head of navigation on the Thames; the beginning of the restoration of the canal.

  • St John’s Lock, Lock No.44 and the highest lock on the Thames.  It is now the home for the Monti statue of ‘Old Father Thames’ which previously stood in Tewksbury Mead at the source of the Thames.  The statue was originally displayed at the Great Exhibition in 1852.   The lock and St John's Bridge take their name from St John's Priory which was established at Lechlade in AD 1250 but dissolved by Edward IV in AD 1472.

  • Filkins, where cottage industries have grown includes Cotswold Woollen Weavers where you can watch cloth being woven, visit a Wool Exhibition, & the Mill Shop.

  • The Cotswold Wildlife Park contains a varied collection of animals from all over the world as well as tropical birds, apes, reptiles & butterflies.  They are all housed in natural surroundings which includes an adventure playground for children and a model railway.

  • Kelmscott Manor - the home of William Morris - see separate entry  under Lechlade - Outstanding Buildings.  Contact: admin@kelmscottmanor.co.uk or www.kelmscottmanor.co.uk for full entry details.

  • Buscot Park - see separate entry under Lechlade - Outstanding Buildings.

  • For further information about Lechlade visit http://www.lechladeonthames.co.uk/  and also http://www.cotswolds.info/places/visit-lechlade.htm

 
 

 


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