We had a walk this morning before our 8am breakfast at the hostel. We walked along the canal and then across a pedestrian bridge over the Severn River. The bridge was built in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Great War: “This bridge is free O tread it reverently in memory of those who died for thee”.
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| YHA Building, Coalport |
We had intended to head to Stow-on-the-Wold from Coalport but the GPS took us further east than we had expected (choosing the faster roads) and as we weren’t too far from Stratford-upon-Avon we decided to spend some time there. The Tudor buildings are amazing and they’re everywhere.
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| Stratford-upon-Avon |
Stood outside the house where Shakespeare was born and the archeological dig taking place at the site where he lived before his death. As you would imagine there were lots of tourists here.
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| Shakespeare's 'birth' home |
From Stratford, we did get to Stow-on-the-Wold a little further down the road. What a difference in architecture from Stratford. Instead of Tudor, all the houses here were made from sandstone. Quite a pretty little spot. We had lunch and headed off to the Slaughters (from the old English slaughter meaning muddy place).
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| Stow-on-theWold |
Both Upper and Lower Slaughter are pretty spots. We went for a wander before heading off to Bourton-on-the-Water a little further still down the road.
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| Upper Slaughter |
The Lonely Planet describes Bourton as an undeniably pretty place that has sold its soul to tourism. That pretty well sums it up. They have cleaned up the canal (crystal clear) that runs through the middle of town creating a very picturesque spot – and the tourists were everywhere. After a cup of coffee, it was back in the car for the drive to Bath.
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| Bourton-on-the-Water |
Booked in at a YHA again tonight – another 4-bed dorm, this time in an Italianate mansion with a bit added. We’re in the bit added and we don’t have as much room as we had last night.
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| Bath |
Went for a drive into downtown Bath. Wandered around the centre and had tea in a pub. Pulteney Bridge was particularly interesting – a bridge with shops built across it.
