Local Attractions

The nearest town to the Lower Mill Estate is Cirencester which is often referred to as the Capital of the Cotswolds and was the second largest town in Britain during Roman times.  It is a lively and attractive location full of smart shops, cafes and restaurants yet which still manages to echo its ancient past.  It's market square is dominated by the cathedral-like Parish Church of St. John Baptist (one of the largest in England).  Cirencester's market town status was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Traders still set up their stalls every Monday and Friday and since 1999 the town has had its own farmers' market. Crafts and antiques markets are also regular attractions.  Cirencester Park is a gorgeous place to walk and explore - from near the town gates along the Broad Walk, and through the polo fields, then miles of park, woodland and open countryside as far as Sapperton village.

Tetbury (10 miles) is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and the second largest town in the Cotswolds. It was an important market for Cotswold wool and yarn during the Middle Ages but today it is better associated with boutique shops, great food, and its Royal Connections.  The centre of the town is a conservation area and many buildings have graded listing. Look up as you walk the streets and see the architecture and natural stone for which the Cotswolds are famous.

Cotswold Sculpture Park (2 miles) sits on a 10 acre site that has been transformed into a mixed deciduous and conifer woodland with ponds, gardens and glades. Joining these diverse spaces are meandering paths that take you on a journey around the park providing an international centre for contemporary art.

Cerney House Gardens (10 miles) is a romantic, secret place in the Cotswolds, part of the home of the Angus family. Set around a Victorian walled garden, it is organic in approach with plants tumbling happily over each other and filling the air with perfume. Herbaceous borders are packed with old-fashioned favourites and surrounded by roses and companion climbers. You can walk through the wild flower bank or the woodlands.

National Trust Bibury (12 miles) has a row of tenanted 17th-century weavers' cottages and water meadow set in this quintessential Cotswold village on the banks of the River Colne.

Westonbirt Arboretum (14 miles) is a magical tree garden, where you can explore trees from all over the globe.  Planted in the heyday of Victorian plant hunting in the mid-19th century as part of the Westonbirt House estate, the arboretum forms part of a site which is listed Grade I.

Chedworth Roman Villa (15 miles) was rediscovered by the Victorians over 150 years ago. Leading the way in archaeology and conservation, Chedworth provides a unique insight into life during the Roman period in Britain courtesy of the National Trust.

NT Newark Park (19 miles) was built in 1550 by Nicholas Poyntz, previously an influential English courtier to Henry VIII  The house, garden and estate would grow and develop over 350 years, followed by a short but grave period of decline, to then be lovingly restored by a Texan architect in the 1970s and 80s.  The garden and estate showcase a range of seasonal specials, such as snowdrops, aconites and daffodils, wild garlic, summer borders and autumn cyclamen.