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Exploring the English Countryside: The Cotswolds with Hattie Bennett
Exploring the English Countryside: The Cotswolds with Hattie Bennett

Exploring the English Countryside: The Cotswolds with Hattie Bennett


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The Cotswolds is an area of rolling hills that range from the central county of Warwickshire to North Somerset in the West. In this lecture, we will explore this large area of outstanding natural beauty, dotted with honey-colored buildings in villages and market towns with neolithic stone circles, Roman forts, ancient churches, castles, and palaces.

We will kick things off by looking at the history of the area, starting with the Rollright Stones, "The Whispering Knights," a neolithic stone circle perched on the Cotswold Hills. Next, we will travel down the Fosse Way (Roman Road) to Chedworth and its magnificent Roman Villa. Going East, we will pause at the ruins of the Cistercian Hailes Abbey, destroyed by Henry VIII in the English Reformation, before visiting the Spa Town of Cheltenham, home to the famous Cheltenham Horse Race Festival, attended by Royalty, locals, and a large contingent from Ireland.

We’ll learn how the economic flourishing of the Cotswolds began in the Middle Ages, as a result of the wool trade, and several perfect examples of medieval towns. We will discuss Burford, whose famous High Street sweeps downhill to the River Windrush, flanked by ancient buildings and a superb 12th century church. Finally, we will look at some beautiful villages, old churches, and great pubs. The Cotswolds is popular with the glitterati, from Prince Charles to Kate Moss to David Beckham, and they (and us) are well catered to by a wide range of fabulous restaurants and chic shops.

Led by an expert on Art Historian and a Cotswold local, Hattie Bennett, this interactive lecture will introduce participants to the gorgeous landscape of the English Cotswolds. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased knowledge of the geography and history of the area.

Hattie has a degree in History of Art and an MA in Historic Interiors, she has a life-long passion and fascination in Fine and Decorative Arts, particularly works produced in Europe from the 16th to 18th century. After working for the Royal Collection in the Print Room at Windsor Castle, she was a curator for a private collector of 17th and 18th century prints and drawings. Hattie has worked for London's foremost framer of important old master paintings during which time she sharpened her appreciation and understanding of the decorative arts and the changing tastes of collecting. Recently she has been dealing in prints and works of art as well as taking groups of all ages to museums and galleries.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

70 minutes

Customer Reviews

Based on 90 reviews
67%
(60)
20%
(18)
13%
(12)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
T
Tara Gurber (Chicago, US)
Wonderful Presentation.

This presentation was great. So interesting. So insightful. I would love to visit The Cotswolds.

M
M.B.H. (Atlanta, US)
Back to the Cotswolds

Hattie did a terrific job, highlighting the most important points. Have bee three times an lookup forward to going back soon.

B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
Wonderful experience

I visited parts many, many years ago. Would love to go back again sometime in the future.

T
T. (Arlington, US)
Wonderful trip to the Cotswolds

I have wanted to visit the Cotswolds and now I want to visit even more. I now know specifically where I want to go in this region.

A
A.P. (Overland Park, US)
Wonderful trip ideas!

A wonderful tour through the Cotswolds with wonderful suggestions for our next trip!

Customer Reviews

Based on 90 reviews
67%
(60)
20%
(18)
13%
(12)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
T
Tara Gurber (Chicago, US)
Wonderful Presentation.

This presentation was great. So interesting. So insightful. I would love to visit The Cotswolds.

M
M.B.H. (Atlanta, US)
Back to the Cotswolds

Hattie did a terrific job, highlighting the most important points. Have bee three times an lookup forward to going back soon.

B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
Wonderful experience

I visited parts many, many years ago. Would love to go back again sometime in the future.

T
T. (Arlington, US)
Wonderful trip to the Cotswolds

I have wanted to visit the Cotswolds and now I want to visit even more. I now know specifically where I want to go in this region.

A
A.P. (Overland Park, US)
Wonderful trip ideas!

A wonderful tour through the Cotswolds with wonderful suggestions for our next trip!