The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Bourton-On-The-Hill

"The Bell is an eighteenth-century inn on the western side of the High Street. It was regularly visited by author J.R.R. Tolkeinduring his early years at the University of Oxford. The inn has been attributed as inspiration for 'The Prancing Pony' which features in The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955)." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton-in-Marsh

A fantastic, quirky, ancient building steeped in history with lots of nooks and crannies to explore. A lovely courtyard for the summer and a crackling inglenook fireplace for autumn and winter. I've stayed in the hotel, had drinks in the bar(s) and dined in the restaurant and I can recommend a visit if you are in the area.

"The White Hart Royal Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh, a splendid tapestry woven through centuries of English history. Nestled at the crossroads of the ancient Fosse Way and the route from London to Worcester, this famed inn has stood as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of time. Originally known as The White Hart, its most illustrious guest was none other than King Charles I, who sought refuge here twice during the English Civil War, in 1644 and 1645. These visits, once the stuff of local legend, were substantiated by a rare 17th-century diary discovered in the Huntington Library, confirming the monarch’s stays during those tumultuous times.  The inn’s prominence grew with the advent of the turnpike roads in the 18th century, becoming a vital coaching stop." Source: https://whitehartroyal.co.uk/about-us/

"The building is a Grade II listed, 17th-century coaching inn on Moreton-in-Marsh's High Street, formerly known as the Unicorn Inn. It was renamed the Redesdale Arms in 1886 to honor the late Earl Redesdale. As The Unicorn Inn, the building was an important coaching inn from at least 1661. The name was changed to the Redesdale Arms in 1886 in memory of John Thomas Freeman-Mitford, the Earl Redesdale, who died in 1886. He was the grandfather of the famous Mitford sisters. The building is made of Cotswold stone with an oak-beamed interior." Source: AI Summary I've stayed at the hotel, drank at the bar and dined in the restaurant. Highly recommended. Good food, great atmosphere. It may be worth booking in advance for the restaurant especially at weekends and during the summer. Moreton in Marsh is popular with tourists all year round. You can find more information here: https://www.redesdalearms.com/ And here; https://www.gloucestershirepubs.co.uk/p

Great place for a lovely breakfast. The coffee is good too.

"Dating from the eighteenth century this village pub of Cotswold Stone is perched on a bank overlooking a small green and war memorial. Located only one mile from the renowned Donnington Brewery this friendly family run, one-bar premises is the focal point of community activity in the village. Flagstone floors and open fire greet locals and visitors alike with the full range of the good value Donnington Ales available along with home cooked food." Source: https://whatpub.com/pubs/NCO/0322/coach-horses-longborough#google_vignette I didn't venture into the pub but as I passed it certainly seemed to be popular with early evening crowd. And the aroma's coming from the kitchen almost tempted me to abandon my walk and treat myself to dinner.

On the patron saint of this church dedicated to "Saint Lawrence": Saint Laurentius is one of the early Christian martyrs from the third century, a time when Christianity was still forbidden. He was Archdeacon of Pope Sixtus II and, after his martyrdom, asked by the pagan Emperor Valerian to hand over the Church's treasure. Laurentius asked for three days' time, in the meantime he distributed the church property among the poor inhabitants of Rome and, after the agreed time, came with the poor to the emperor in order to present them to him as the church's treasure. He was then martyred to death, legend has it that he was alive on a grate - this attribute can be seen in many depictions of Saint Laurentius - roasted over coals. He is said to have been in good spirits and told his executioner on the one hand he was ready, whether he didn't want to turn him over.

Beautiful little 12th-century church located in the traditional Cotswold village of Longborough.