A Visit to the Cotswolds - Part 1: Moreton in Marsh including Tolkien connections

E was working last Saturday and B was meeting ex work colleagues in Malvern so after we had given the latter a lift to the station D and I decided to spend an afternoon visiting a few Cotswold villages. Moreton in Marsh is only an hour way (30 mins on the M42 and M40 and then half an hour along the A429) and was really the closest option and we arrived just before one o'clock.



It was very busy, to put it mildly!, and Timothy was pleased that we managed to find what must have been the last parking space on the main street.

Not too many photos of buildings because to be honest the parked cars up and down the street made taking pictures rather difficult.

Moreton in Marsh is one of the main market towns in the North Cotswolds and is located on the Fosse Way. It developed in the 13th century as a market town with a main street, back lanes and burbage plots. The market charter was granted in 1227.

Most of the buildings seen today along the High Street are 17th and 18th century.


We had a look round a craft fayre in the 18th century Redesdale Market Hall.

There was another reason for visiting this particular town - years ago when driving back from Avebury we stopped off at The Cotswold Cheese Company shop and the cheeses were delicious.

Just a few purchases and I can confirm they are even better than I remembered.

*D


JRR Tolkien is believed to have had connections with the town and The JRR Tolkien Society, following extensive research, believe that the Bell Inn is the inspiration for the Prancing Pony pub in Bree in the "Lord of the Rings". Similarities between the two buildings include the 3 storeys in both pub buildings. the entrance via a courtyard and the two towns (Bree and Moreton in Marsh) also have features in common.

*D


The oldest town building is probably the 16th century curfew tower on the High Street. Until 1860 the bell was rung each night to remind people of the dangers of fire. The bell itself is dated 1633. There is a tale that it once guided home a Sir Robert Fry who was lost in the fog.

*D

*D

Time for lunch and we decided on Tilly's Tea Room - highly recommended if you ever visit the area.

I had a Deluxe Milk Chocolate Melt and D had warm Milk, Honey and Nutmeg and

for lunch D had the all day Vegetarian Breakfast and

I had a Cheese and Tomato Toastie.

There were cakes but we were too full so bought some to take home.




The two hour parking limit was nearly up so we just had time for a quick look round a fossil shop - some very interesting examples but they were very expensive.

There was also some beautiful amber jewellery but too dear for me and I fell in love with this bench.

It is suggested that King Charles I stayed at the White Hart (Royal) Hotel after the Battle of Marston Moor on 2nd July 1644 during the English Civil War.

Before driving to Stow on the Wold I made a detour to show D the 16th century Four Shires Stone which is the historical meeting point of four counties - Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire - although boundary changes during the 20th century now mean the Worcester boundary is some miles away. I first discovered this fascinating stone when we visited Chastleton House. Again it appears there could be a Tolkien connection as it is believed he may have used the stone as inspiration for the Farthings Stone - a point in the Shire where three Farthings meet.

*D


Finally, on the way to our second destination where

*D

we visited a rather super church with the most amazing doorway which again could have provided Tolkien with inspiration. I'll write about this in Part 2.


*D - Photos taken by D with the Canon SX50 all other pictures by me with the Pansonic 330 bridge camera.