Castle Combe | The Burleigh Court Hotel

Near Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: An absolutely perfect day with friends in the English countryside. We left Pear Tree Cottage this morning around 10 o'clock and drove west through gorgeous bucolic vistas into the quaint English town of Castle Combe where we walked around the village and had a Ploughman's lunch at the local pub. Often described as the "most beautiful village street in England", Castle Combe takes you back to another time, and to another world. The homes are ancient, stone, and in perfect condition. It was a lovely afternoon.

Castle Combe street


Castle Combe scene


DT and Martin in Castle Combe


Pretty cottages

 
A study of tall men standing near short doors

Also in Castle Combe we found a very un-English kitchen implement: an olive spoon. Soon it will be gracing the appetizer tray at our cottage!

Martin continued driving past fabulous stone farms, estates, castles and the occasional Abbey.

Malmesbury Abbey

We were greeted at the 7th century Benedictine Monastery by a delightful character. He told us the history of Malmesbury Abbey and how it was partially destroyed by a lightning bolt and a twister. Our unofficial tour guide confided to me (DT, Martin & Shirley were up a turret looking at bibles) that we shouldn't tip him. He told me he was a drunk. "Once I won 3,000 pounds at the track and I drank it all away. I learned I have everything I need at this Abbey." He added, quietly, in such a thick accent I could barely understand, "Money is the root of all evil."

After my group returned from the tower, our reformed guide took us out to see the grave of Hannah Twynnoy. Probably the only person in England to be killed by a tiger, Hannah, a barmaid at the White Lion Inn, was killed by an escaped traveling circus tiger in 1703.

As we left, our elfish guide yelled to us: God Bless America!

After a beautiful drive through the country, we arrived at our destination, The Burleigh Court Hotel. I can't tell you how wonderful our accommodations are at this lovely old inn! Martin has stayed here before on business and DT and I are delighted at his choice.

Our room is on the top floor, far right, on the corner


Ivy-covered Burleigh Court Hotel


Here is the view from our room


Shirley, in the gardens at Burleigh Court

After a rest, and a long look at the British Open on television, we hopped back in the car and toured through adorably quaint English villages with adorably quaint English names such as Birdlip, Stroud, Tetbury and Malsbury. We stopped at a very English pub for a pint and then reversed our route back to the hotel in time for a gourmet meal on the terrace below our room.

Little nibbles before dinner


DT and I both ordered roast chicken with a mustard sauce

No one was dining at the inn tonight - except our Party of Four. We received very special treatment and enjoyed our charming (and very attentive) waiter and the beautiful view. After a perfect meal, we retired to the bar for coffee.