|
|
The Cotswolds is the
epitome of rural England and the small towns have been fortunate in
retaining and preserving the rural idyll and conservation plays a
large part in modern day planning and growth of all the towns.
Cirencester the "capital" of the Cotswolds is the largest
of the towns although Stroud gives the appearance of being larger
due to the woollen mills and small villages that grew up around the wool
trade in the 16th and 17th centuries and spreading throughout the valleys.
Since early man Cirencester has been the hub for everyday living and was
the capital of the Dobunni tribe and the second largest town to London whilst
the Romans stayed. Today it is the administration centre for Cotswold
District Council. |
| The honeycoloured oolitic stone is used in
abundance throughout the towns and villages and in particular
Chipping Campden, which, could be the most picturesque of all. History has
produced magnificent churches and large wool merchants houses that line
the main streets and lay testament to the wealth of the merchants who used
their money to build the towns we admire today.
|
| Most of the towns are vibrant but rely on tourism to
generate the local economy. Farming was the biggest industry but now
doesn't generated the income that it once did but farmers are fighting
back. Many of the towns hold monthly farmers markets selling local
products which have proved successful, but many farms are turning to
tourism to help save the rural economy. Many farms have converted outer
buildings into holiday properties or bed and breakfast establishments and
they now compete with the towns for the lucrative business that tourism
generates. |
|
|
|
