Things to do
Don't miss the fabulous local walking and scenery that the area
offers. If you just want an easy stroll from the front door of the
Swan, take a walk through the beautiful valley of the Windrush to
the little medieval church of St Oswald, built on the site of a
Roman villa. Elsewhere, there are numerous walks of all shapes and
sizes and there's also a good selection of long-distance trails,
which can be adapted into manageable chunks - the Heart of England
Way, the Wychwood Way, the Oxfordshire Way and the D'Arcy Dalton
Way among them.
Half an hour drive from The Swan, history lovers should head to
Chastleton House, a fine Jacobean mansion with a
striking south front. The house was built by a local wool merchant
in the early 17th century, who purchased the estate from Robert
Catesby, one of the conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Also nearby is Kelmscott Manor, the Cotswold retreat of
William Morris and his family, friends and colleagues. Kelmscott is
home to fascinating and important collections of textiles,
furniture and paintings, spanning more than 300 years and
reflecting the ideas and creative legacy of those who lived and
worked there.
Gloucestershire
& Warwickshire Railway, West of Stow, this is the perfect
destination for anyone who still savours the unique thrill of steam
travel. Though no longer part of the national rail network, these
wonderful old trains have made a welcome return to the tracks and
are a great way to discover the delights of the Cotswolds.