Attractions and Places To See around Aldsworth - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Aldsworth are found in a picturesque Cotswolds village, known for its historical landmarks and natural beauty. The area features traditional Cotswold cottages and ancient field systems. It is situated near the River Leach, offering a tranquil setting with large fields and open countryside.
Best attractions and places to see around Aldsworth
- The most popular attractions is Bourton-on-the-Water village, a viewpoint that features pretty cottages and honey-coloured brick houses. Delightful arched bridges span the River Windrush, contributing to its charm.
- Another must-see spot is Arlington Row, Bibury, a man-made monument. This row of 17th-century cottages overlooks the River Coln and is a nationally notable architectural conservation area.
- Visitors also love Greystones Farm Nature Reserve, a river area with rare tree species and ancient hedgerows. It features wildflower meadows, the River Eye, and a lake teeming with wildlife.
- Aldsworth is known for its charming villages, historical sites, and nature reserves. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient architecture to natural landscapes.
- The attractions around Aldsworth are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 600 upvotes and over 200 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Bourton-on-the-Water village
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The ancient Roman road, the Fosse Way, travels through the village and it is also that start point for the Oxfordshire Way long-distance trail to Henley-on-Thames.
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Arlington Row, Bibury
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Greystones Farm Nature Reserve
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St Mary's Church, Bibury
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Church of St Lawrence, Wick Rissington
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The right of presentation to the rectory was exercised by the lords of Little Rissington manor up to 1529. After that manor had passed in 1540 to the Crown, however, the advowson was not alienated with it, and successive rectors were presented by the Crown and the Lord Chancellor until c. 1870. Then the new owner of Wick Rissington manor acquired the advowson, which descended with the manor until c. 1935 when it passed to the Diocesan Board of Patronage.
The living was valued at £4 6s. 8d. a year in 1291, and at £16 2s. 6d. clear in 1535. In 1650 it was valued at £80, and the increase was perhaps due in part to the enlargement of the glebe from 13 a. in 1535 to three yardlands at the end of the 16th century. The total value had risen to c. £150 a dozen years after inclosure under the Act of 1729, as a result of which the endowment of the living included 76 a. of land and rent-charges of £84. The value of the living rose to over £200 in the mid-19th century.
In 1301, during the minority of an heir to the advowson, the Crown presented Adam de Brome, a royal clerk and one of the founders of Oriel College, Oxford. The next two rectors were both licensed to be absent. Adam of Witchford, rector 1323–34, served as chaplain to his patron, Aline Burnell. It may have been the non-residence of successive rectors that stimulated Thomas le Spencer to grant land, in 1331, for the support of a chaplain. This chantry, called Our Lady's service, survived in 1547 when its income was 36s. 6d.; there was then, however, no chaplain. In the early 15th century there were frequent changes of rector, but from 1436 to 1474 the rector was John Wakefield, who may have made some of the alterations in the church though clearly he was not, as has been stated, responsible for its building.
The rector instituted in 1529 put the living to farm, and left the parish in the care of a curate. His successor, Henry Bassingbourne, had been Prior of Woodbridge (Suff.) and in 1548 was said to have allowed the parsonage to decay, to have celebrated neither mass nor matins for a fortnight, and to pass his time in an ale-house in Bourton-on-the-Water; in 1551 he was enjoined to correct himself and to preach more often. The next rector was deprived in 1553 for marrying; four of the next five after him were pluralists, and two at least were non-resident. The succession of not wholly satisfactory rectors culminated with Robert Knollys, rector 1614–41, who also held the livings of Hampnett and Bibury, and against whom his parishioners of Wick Rissington alleged that he had neither read prayers nor prayed in their church for five years, employed the cheapest curates he could get, and was thus responsible for the lack of services, sermons, and spiritual consolation for the dying. In the late 17th century and for most of the 18th and early 19th pluralist or absentee rectors appointed curates for the parish. The last but one of such curates was William John Deane (1823–95), the theological writer, and the last nonresident rector was George Leigh Cooke (d. 1853), Sedleian professor of natural philosophy at Oxford. From 1853 the rectors were normally resident, but unlike most other parishes Wick Rissington had no rector that remained more than 20 years. From the Second World War the livings of Wick Rissington and Little Rissington were held jointly, as they were in 1962, though there was no formal union of the parishes or the benefices.
The church of ST. LAWRENCE is built of ashlar and rubble with a Cotswold stone roof, and comprises chancel, nave, north aisle, north porch, and west tower. The church is remarkable for its 13th century work, which survives with little change in the chancel and tower. Traces of a corbel-table in the north and south walls of the nave and the massiveness of the walls of the tower (nine feet thick at the bottom) indicate the 12th-century origin of the fabric. The chancel and tower were rebuilt in the mid-13th century. Later changes in the building, apart from minor changes in the chancel, cannot be traced until the 19th century. The church was described c. 1700 as 'one entire aisle', which suggests that the nave and chancel roofs were continuous. The church, said to be in excellent repair in 1828, was enlarged in 1822, when proprietary north and south transepts were added, and in 1836. The work in 1836 may have included the blocking of the 12th century north doorway, the removal of mullions and tracery from the south windows of the nave, and the further lowering of the nave roof, for up to 1879 it was lower than that of the chancel, which had a western corbie-gable. The church was extensively altered in 1879, under the direction of J. E. K. Cutts. The transepts were removed; the nave was thoroughly restored, its roof-line being raised to the steep pitch of an earlier roof marked on the east wall of the tower; the north aisle was built, with a lean-to roof; a new north doorway was opened; and a porch was added, with a door to the aisle through a re-used 12th-century arch that was the original north doorway.
The chancel is lit by two pairs of tall lancets in the east wall and by two windows in each of the north and south walls. The north windows are lancets in deeply splayed openings; the south windows were originally similar, but have been replaced by a 14th- and a 15th-century window, each of two lights with tracery. Both internally and externally the windows, together with a small south doorway, are drawn into a coherent design by continuous string-courses, which are somewhat interrupted by the new work to the windows on the south. The treatment of the east end is particularly elaborate. Pairs of small buttresses ornament rather than support the angles, each pair of lancets is surmounted by a concave lozenge-shaped light, and near the apex of the gable is a plain lozenge-shaped light, once filled with masonry; the upper and lower string-courses are carried round these various features. Internally the upper string-course forms a sort of arcading, and the lower is connected with two piscina niches (one trefoil-headed with rich moulding and a scalloped bowl), two aumbries, and four other recesses, of which one contains a rectangular stone tank with drain. Below, stone benching survives along the south and much of the north wall. The chancel has a medieval trussed rafter roof; in the windows are a few fragments of 14th-century coloured glass.
The tower is of four stages separated by stringcourses; the western angles have buttresses to the two lower stages similar in style to those of the chancel. To the first stage there is an external west door, to the second a tall single-light west window with a stringcourse around the arch and extending across the west face of the tower. The third and fourth stages are each stepped back; on each face of both, except the east face of the third stage, is a single louvred light. The parapet is pierced by trefoil openings, and the angle pinnacles repeat the style of the buttresses.
The tub-shaped font of c. 1200 was for many years buried in the churchyard. In the chancel are 12 carved wooden plaques, found c. 1890 at Wick Hill, depicting scenes from the life of Christ; they are thought to be Flemish, and of the 16th century. The altar-table stands on a stone slab that was once the top of a medieval altar and was subsequently used as a memorial floor-slab; part of a carved and coped stone coffin lid is reset in the porch. In the tower are four bells: there were four c. 1700 and in 1828, but in 1844 only three were recast; a fourth was added in 1888. The plate includes a chalice, paten, and flagon of the 18th century. The organ bears an inscription recording that Gustav Holst (d. 1934) played on it as parish organist in 1892 and 1893. The registers begin in 1739.
In or before the 17th century land that produced £2 a year c. 1700 was given for the repair of the church. The land, known as Clerk's mead, was just under 3 a. and produced £7 a year in 1828, and £8 10s. a year in 1962.
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The patron saint of this church, dedicated to Saint Lawrence: He is one of the early Roman martyrs from a time when Christianity was still strictly forbidden. He was archdeacon to Pope Sixtus II and, after the latter's execution, was ordered by the pagan Emperor Valerian to hand over the Church's treasure. Lawrence asked for three days to do so, distributed the Church's wealth among the poor inhabitants of Rome, and after the agreed time, returned with the poor to the emperor to present them as the Church's treasure. He was then martyred; legend says he was roasted alive on a gridiron—an attribute seen in many depictions of Saint Lawrence—over coals. He is said to have been cheerful during this ordeal and asked his executioner if he would turn him over. Saint Lawrence's feast day in the liturgical calendar is August 10, the traditional date of his execution in the year 258 AD.
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In the middle of a small green area within the village, a cross rises atop a tall stone shaft. However, as hikers notice upon approach, this is by no means a small sacred monument in the sense of the wayside crosses common in some regions. Rather, this monument, like those found in many villages, is dedicated to the memory of the victims of war and tyranny.
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Beautiful, peaceful church with a long and fascinating history, first established in 899 and now a Grade I-listed Anglo-Saxon church built in the 11th century and added to over the centuries.
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"Bibury is a village and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is on the River Coln, a Thames tributary that rises in the same (Cotswold) District. The village centre is 6+1⁄2 miles (10.5 kilometres) northeast of Cirencester. Arlington Row is a nationally notable architectural conservation area depicted on the inside cover of some British passports. It is a major destination for tourists visiting the traditional rural villages, tea houses and many historic buildings of the Cotswold District; it is one of six places in the country featured in Mini-Europe, Brussels. In the Domesday Book (1086), a record of survey done under William the Conqueror, the place is named Becheberie, and it is recorded that the lands and church in Bibury were held by St. Mary's Priory at Worcester, from whom it passed in 1130 to the Abbey of Osney, near Oxford: the Abbey continued to hold it until its dissolution in 1540." Source: Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibury
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"The Cotswolds is home to some fine churches, and Bibury is no exception. The first church in Bibury was established in 899 and the Grade I listed Anglo-Saxon church which stands today was built in the middle to late 11th century with further work in subsequent centuries. Bibury is best known for Arlington Row and the Bibury Trout Farm, but make sure you wander down the river, past the almshouses, and make your way to the oldest part where you will find the Church. This lovely church, away from the honeypot of Arlington Row, can feel like an oasis of calm where you can take in Norman doorway arches, a 13th century font, Saxon chancel columns, capitals and gravestones, 17th-century table tombs a 15th-century roof and 18th-century wall monuments." Source: Explore Bibury
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Bibury is often titled the most beautiful village in the whole of the UK, and for good reason, Its idyllic beauty and quintessential British charm make it really stand out from the crowd. Perhaps the most iconic feature of this delightful little village is Arlington Row, a row of 17th century cottages which overlook the tranquil River Coln.
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Famous for its honey-coloured traditional Cotswold stone buildings, Bourton-on-the-Water is often referred to as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. The River Windrush runs through the middle of the town with five stone bridges crossing it. The bridges were built between 1654 and 1911.
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The Anglican Church of St Mary at Bibury in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England, was built in the 11th century. It is a grade I listed building
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore around Aldsworth?
Aldsworth and its surroundings are rich in history. You can visit the ancient Arlington Row, Bibury, a row of 17th-century cottages overlooking the River Coln. Also, explore St Lawrence's Church in Bourton-on-the-Water, which has parts dating back to the 8th century, or the Grade I-listed Anglo-Saxon St Mary's Church in Bibury, established in 899. In Aldsworth itself, St Bartholomew's Church dates back to late Norman times with a rare 15th-century spire. The area also features remarkably well-preserved Celtic Fields covering 70 acres.
Are there family-friendly attractions near Aldsworth?
Yes, several attractions are suitable for families. Bourton-on-the-Water village is known for its charming cottages, arched bridges, and family-friendly activities like the Model Village and Dragonfly Maze. Arlington Row, Bibury is a picturesque spot that families enjoy. Greystones Farm Nature Reserve offers waymarked trails, a cafe, and opportunities to see wildlife, making it a great outdoor option for all ages.
What natural features can I discover around Aldsworth?
The region offers beautiful natural landscapes. Aldsworth is situated near the River Leach and is surrounded by large fields and open countryside, ideal for tranquil walks. Just a short drive away, Greystones Farm Nature Reserve features wildflower meadows, ancient hedgerows, the River Eye, and a lake teeming with wildlife. The Berkshire Downs, near Aldworth (Berkshire), provide scenic views and opportunities for walking, and you can find the ancient Long Copse woodland, known for its bluebells.
What outdoor activities can I do near these attractions?
The area around Aldsworth is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for road cycling, mountain biking, and gravel biking. For example, explore the 'Windrush Valley Country Lane' for road cycling, or the 'River Windrush Woodland Trail' for mountain biking. There are also gravel biking routes like 'Muddy Path in The Cotswolds'. You can find more details and specific routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Aldsworth, MTB Trails around Aldsworth, and Gravel biking around Aldsworth guides.
Are there any famous villages or settlements to visit nearby?
Absolutely. Aldsworth is close to several renowned Cotswolds villages. Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the 'Venice of the Cotswolds,' is famous for its charming cottages and bridges. Bibury, home to the iconic Arlington Row, is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful villages in the UK. Other charming villages like Burford and Northleach are also within a short drive.
What are the most popular attractions according to komoot users?
Komoot users highly appreciate the attractions around Aldsworth, with over 600 upvotes and more than 200 photos shared. The most popular spots include Bourton-on-the-Water village, known for its picturesque setting, and Arlington Row, Bibury, a nationally notable architectural conservation area. Greystones Farm Nature Reserve is also a favorite for its natural beauty and wildlife.
Where can I find traditional pubs or dining options in the area?
In Aldsworth (Gloucestershire), The Sherborne Arms has been operating as a village pub since 1799, housed in a transformed 17th-century farmhouse. Near Aldworth (Berkshire), you can find The Bell Inn, a 15th-century establishment that has won National Pub of the Year awards, and The Four Points. Many of the nearby villages like Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury also offer various cafes and refreshment options.
Are there any unique historical features related to the churches in the Aldsworth area?
Yes, the churches in the region hold unique historical significance. St Bartholomew's Church in Aldsworth (Gloucestershire) is notable for its Norman and Perpendicular architecture and a rare 15th-century spire. In Aldworth (Berkshire), St Mary's Church is famous for the 'Aldworth Giants,' a collection of 14th-century effigies of the De La Beche family, some over seven feet tall, representing the largest collection of medieval memorials to a single family in any parish church.
What is the best time to visit Aldsworth for walking and exploring?
The Cotswolds region, where Aldsworth (Gloucestershire) is located, is beautiful year-round. Spring offers blooming wildflowers, including bluebells in places like Long Copse near Aldworth (Berkshire). Summer provides pleasant weather for exploring villages and nature reserves. Autumn brings stunning foliage, and even winter walks can be charming, especially around the historical sites and cozy pubs. Check local weather forecasts for the most comfortable experience.
Are there any ancient Roman sites near Aldsworth?
Yes, about 10 miles from Aldsworth (Gloucestershire), you can visit the Cirencester Amphitheatre. These are the earthwork remains of one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Britain, offering a glimpse into the region's Roman past.
Can I find any trails or long-distance paths in the Aldsworth area?
Yes, the area offers several walking opportunities. Near Aldsworth (Gloucestershire), the village of Bourton-on-the-Water is the starting point for the Oxfordshire Way long-distance trail to Henley-on-Thames. In Aldworth (Berkshire), the ancient 87-mile pre-Roman footpath known as The Ridgeway crosses the north of the parish, providing historical walks with scenic views across the Berkshire Downs.
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