The best hikes from bus stations around Ilmington

During our short holiday on the edge of the Cotswolds, we stumbled upon Hidcote Manor Garden by chance. And we can say: it was one of the most beautiful garden designs we have ever seen. Every meter opens up a new perspective, new impressions, and new lighting conditions. We walked through the garden rooms in awe and are thrilled. Wikipedia writes: "The Hidcote Manor Garden is an English park in the Arts & Crafts style.[1] It is located in Hidcote Bartrim in the northeast of Chipping Campden in the county of Gloucestershire. The garden was created from 1907 by the American privateer Lawrence Waterbury Johnston and has belonged to the National Trust since 1948. Characteristic of the garden, which covers more than 40,000 square meters, are above all the division into different garden rooms, English Outdoor Rooms, the sightlines, English Vistas, the artfully trimmed shrubs, as well as the red perennial beds, English Red Borders. The Hidcote Manor Garden is located on a 183 m high plateau on the northern edge of the Cotswolds. Belonging to the county of Gloucestershire and located on the border with the county of Warwickshire, Hidcote is approximately two kilometers east of Mickleton, approximately seven kilometers northeast of Chipping Campden, and 16 kilometers south of Stratford-upon-Avon. The garden of Hidcote is listed in the National Heritage List for England in the highest class, Grade I." Our three-hour visit was rounded off with delicious cake and clotted cream in the café. Our conclusion: Anyone in the area should definitely stop by!

The Lark Stoke transmitter is a combined communications station in Gloucestershire that transmits TV and mobile phone signals, covering an area that includes parts of Tewkesbury, Birmingham, and Rugby. It is a relay station for the main Sutton Coldfield transmitter and handles services for Freeview HD. source: internet

Was named the Times Village Pub of the Year. Four cask on and North Cotswold Shagweaver in excellent condition. You would hope so for £5.45 a pint.

"Foxcote House is an 18th-century detached country house in the village of Ilmington, near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire, England. It has been a Grade II* listed property since September 1952.  The house was constructed c.1740, its design has been attributed to Edward Woodward. It was traditionally the family seat of the Canning family; ten generations of the Canning family resided at the house until the death of Robert Canning in 1848. Foxcote House was occupied by a private school before its purchase in the 1960s by Christopher Boot Holman, an heir of the pharmaceutical retail company Boots the Chemist. The Holmans restored the house and it was sold by them in 1997 to the American billionaire Les Wexner.  The Wexners attend the annual pheasant shooting season each October and host traditional British shooting parties in a former Catholic chapel that adjoins the house" Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxcote_House

The whole village is a 'highlight'. Another hidden gem in the Cotswolds. Highlights within the highlight have been posted separately so I won't repeat them here. Suffice to say that Ebrington is well worth a visit and provides a beautiful and peaceful base camp for exploring the wider areas.

"The Ebrington Arms is an idyllic Cotswold pub dating back to the 1600s. Set in stunning countryside overlooking the village green and thatched cottages, this independent pub has won many accolades over the years for being just a great pub!" Source: https://www.cotswolds.com/listing/the-ebrington-arms/36840301/ I can vouch for all of the above 😁

Beautiful views over the Cotswolds.

Upon reaching the 2 transmitter Masts at summit of Illmington downs there are 360 views to enjoy as far as Birmingham Broadway Tower and into Oxfordshire especially on clear day.