The quaint Cotswold town of Shipston-on-Stour is a bit of a hidden gem (Image: Conor Knell) When one thinks of the Cotswolds, it's usually the same towns that attract tourists from all corners of the globe. Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Chipping Norton , Broadway, and Castle Combe are all well-known destinations for those seeking the quaint charm of an old-world village set against a picturesque landscape. However, many often overlook that Warwickshire encompasses the northernmost tip of the Cotswolds, which is where the stunning town of Shipston-on-Stour is located.
This town possesses all the ancient allure typical of any Cotswolds town, but spend just five minutes on its beautiful high street and you'll quickly notice the lack of tourists. There are no tour buses parked on the outskirts, nor clusters of holidaymakers taking photos of what locals might consider ordinary aspects of their town. When CoventryLive reporter Conor Knell visited the town, he said: "The atmosphere is wonderfully local and authentic.
It's simply an old town with everyday people going about their daily lives, surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills reminiscent of the start-up screen for Windows XP. function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.
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Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)}) "Though small, the high street is brimming with character. My first port of call, as it always is in any country town, was to explore the antique and charity shops." Some picturesque coloured houses in Shipston-on-Stour (Image: Conor Knell ) This led Conor to London House Past and Presents - a delightful antiques shop suitable for all ages.
Packed with old toys, books, and glassware, Conor said: "It had an inclusive feel, where you didn't enter feeling like the proverbial bull in a china shop. "Strolling around, you could hear locals engaging in friendly banter - a community where everyone knows each other. Outside the neighbourhood pet shop, a man was busy fixing his car.
Another passerby stopped to check on him before continuing his journey." READ MORE: The world's shortest street that's just seven feet long is in the UK Beautiful ancient buildings like The Horseshoe pub are all over the Cotswold town of Shipston-on-Stour (Image: Conor Knell) This might seem incredibly ordinary if you hail from a small town. But for those accustomed to the impersonal nature of big city life, it's a refreshing change.
Then there's the location. Unlike other Cotswolds towns that necessitate hours of driving on single-lane roads behind sluggish traffic, Shipston-on-Stour is merely 25 minutes from either Junction 12 or Junction 16 of the M40. READ MORE: Scenic village featured on Netflix with a cracking pub and horse sanctuary [LATEST] Historic village named among ‘prettiest’ in the UK [INSIGHT] Kate set for 'longest journey' this summer since announcing cancer diagnosis [UPDATE] Trending Moreover, if you're keen to explore Stratford-upon-Avon or any other Cotswolds attractions, it could be an ideal base to avoid the inflated accommodation costs associated with more popular destinations.
Conor concluded "After my trip to Shipston-on-Stour, I can wholeheartedly recommend this town - it's a hidden treasure. If you're seeking a taste of genuine English country living for a weekend and crave some tranquillity, it will fit you perfectly.".
