Coln St. Aldwyns is a vibrant village, set in the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village has a beautiful Church with Norman Origins, a popular pub, The New Inn at Coln and the Community Stores and Café run by members of the community from Coln St Aldwyns, Quenington and Hatherop. Inside you’ll find a wonderful array of local and organic produce, an off-license and café serving coffee and cakes.
Coln St. Aldwyns forms one of three neighbouring villages, the others being the equally attractive Quenington and Hatherop. The former is home to the Keepers Arms pub and the latter, the renowned Hatherop Castle Prep School. The local area provides some spectacular walking country in a picturesque landscape of parkland, woods and water meadows.
Cirencester, known as the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’, is only 10 miles to the west and is a lovely market town with a fascinating history. In Roman times, Cirencester, was the second largest town only to London. The town became a very prosperous wool town in the medieval period, which is the basis for the charming buildings with ancient honey coloured stone in picturesque narrow streets.
The Market Place is the heart of the town and is home to a Charter Market (every Monday and Friday) and a Farmers’ Market (every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month).
The wonderful variety of quality independent shops makes shopping in Cirencester a delight. Enjoy exploring the courtyards with their individual style and the many historic streets radiating from the town centre. Cirencester is renowned for its special shops, individual boutiques, fascinating antique emporiums and craft shops as well as national chain stores.
Fairford is 4.5 miles to the south and sits on a lovely stretch of the River Coln and owes its fortune to its location – an important coaching town on the old London to Gloucester route. Some of the inns and hotels are reminders of this bygone era. There are some useful shops for everyday needs.
The area is renowned for having a number of fantastic schools, both private and state, all within easy driving distance including a selection of primary schools in Hatherop, Bibury, Fairford, Meysey Hampton and Southrop with secondary schools in Fairford, Burford and Cirencester. Nearby Prep Schools include Hatherop Castle, Rendcomb College, Prior Park, Beaudesert Park and St Hugh’s, with Rendcomb, Westonbirt and the Cheltenham Colleges for latter years.
Road communications are fantastic to the A417/A419 and A40 which in turn provide access to London, via the M4/M40 and M5 to the west. Rail links are also good, with regular trains from Kemble, Charlbury and Swindon.