WOTTON UNDER EDGE - some views of the town ...

Carlton House is ideally situated for Badminton Horse Trials and Gatcombe Horse Trials.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Westonbirt Arboretum - The national Arboretum in Gloucestershire is one of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world. an historic collection of over 3000 different trees and shrub species many of which are rare or endangered in their native lands. Westonbirt also hosts weddings and summer concerts by world famous names.

Berkeley Castle - home of the Berkeley family, the castle was built in the 12th century. It is the site of the infamous murder of Edward II in 1327. Shakespeare wrote Midsummer Nights Dream for the Berkeley family.

Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre - is the headquarters of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and was the first wetland centre opened by Sir Peter Scott in 1946. Slimbridge is famous for the arrival of the Bewick Swans every winter. There are 8 other WWT centres in England.

Owlpen Manor - is a Tudor Manor House set in a picturesque valley among bluebell woods, it has formal terraced gardens and magnificent yews. The house dates from 1450 to 1616. Today the interiors contain a series of unique painted textiles, as well as a representative collection of Cotswold Arts and Crafts furniture and fittings.

Woodchester Park Mansion - is an architectural masterpiece of the Victorian age abandoned by its builders before it could be completed. It has been virtually untouched by time since the mid-1870s, and today offers a unique opportunity to tour and explore a Gothic building in mid-assembly.

The Mansion is hidden in a secluded 400-acre landscape park of great beauty. The Mansion and its park are reputed to be haunted and regular events are held throughout the year for those who want to hunt for ghosts.

Newark Park - was built as a hunting lodge and was completed around 1550. In the 18th century the architect James Wyatt made it into a four square house. The house sits in 700 acres of unspoiled countryside with far-reaching views to the southwest. Around 1550 Sir Nicholas Poyntz completed work to his new hunting lodge high on a ridge above the town of Wotton-Under-Edge. The name Newark derives from the words 'new work'.

Newark was used during the filming of the BBC production of Tess of the D'Urbervilles in 2008.

Chavenage - was also used by the BBC for filming Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and the current series Larkrise to Candleford.

Painswick Rococo Garden - Painswick House was built in the mid 1730's. Benjamin Hyett created the fanciful Garden in a hidden valley behind the House.

In 1988 the current owner, Lord Dickinson handed control of the restoration programme to Painswick Rococo Garden Trust and granted the Trust a long lease of the Garden.

Cirencester - known as the "Capital Of The Cotswolds", is an historic Roman town in the heart of the Cotswolds with attractions from a Roman Ampitheatre to the nearby Chedworth Roman Villa . The Corinium Museum in an important source of information on the local history.

Cirencester has many fine examples of historic mosaics, including the one below which can be found near the Brewery Arts in the centre of Cirencester.

SHOPPING

Within easy driving distance of Wotton are:

Bath - is a beautiful Roman and Georgian city and is a World Heritage Site. The Roman Baths is one of Europe's finest ancient monuments, Bath's status as a world-class city was further enhanced by the opening of the remarkable Thermae Bath Spa in 2006. The revival of this 2,000-year old tradition means that Bath is a fully fledged spa city once again.

Bath is now a busy, vibrant city with excellent shopping both at the larger high street shops and independent shops.

Jamie Oliver has a branch of his Jamie's Italian in the centre of Bath.

Bristol - was once one of the most important trading ports in England, and the city's links with the ocean span hundreds of years. Much of Bristol's rich history is still evident today, acting as a lasting tribute to the adventurers and merchants who once set sail from the city docks.

Shopping in Bristol is diverse. The brand new Cabot Circus (opened in September 2008) home to House of Fraser, Harvey Nicolls and Raymond Blanc's Brasserie Blanc.

More shopping is available at Park Street, one of Bristol's most popular shopping streets in a beautiful Georgian setting. Particularly known for independent clothes stores, clubbing gear and fashion. Shoe stores, music stores, arts & crafts, book stores, hi-fi, furniture, lighting, and more. Plenty of tea and coffee shops and popular into the evening for restaurants.

There is also excellent shopping at Cribbs Causeway, just off junction 17 of the M5. The Mall has 135 stores and free parking.

Cheltenham - Most of the town centre lies within a conservation area of outstanding national importance.  Regency town houses , characterised by intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco facades, line the historic Promenade, squares and terraces.  Cheltenham has award-winning gardens , an impressive range of stylish shops and restaurants , and hosts festivals of horse racing, music and literature.

Gloucester - has Roman foundations,Victorian Docklands and the magnificent Norman Cathedral. It also has a bustling city centre with a range of shops, markets, restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions. Recently opened - the new Gloucester Quays outlet centre.

There are literary links abound with Beatrix Potter's Tailor of Gloucester and the Cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral which were a location of the Harry Potter movies.