Northleach

Introducing Northleach

Little visited and under-appreciated, Northleach is a lovely little market town of half-timbered Tudor houses, imposing merchants’ stores and late-medieval cottages. There’s a wonderful mix of architectural styles clustered around the gorgeous market square and the narrow laneways leading off it, but the highlight of a visit is the Church of St Peter and St Paul, a masterpiece of Cotswold perpendicular style. The large traceried stained-glass windows and collection of memorial brasses are unrivalled in the region.

Near the square is Oak House, a 17th-century wool house that contains Keith Harding’s World of Mechanical Music (860181; www.mechanicalmusic.co.uk; admission £5; 10am-6pm; ), a fascinating museum of self-playing musical instruments, where you can hear Rachmaninoff played on a reproducing piano.

Just outside town on the A429, the Old Prison now houses a café, information point and a collectionof historic agricultural machinery. Further south on the same road is Chedworth Roman Villa (NT; 01242-890256; Yanworth; adult/under 18yr £5.50/3; 10am-5pm Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, 11am-4pm Feb-Mar & Nov), one of the most complete Roman villas in England. Built as a stately home in about AD 120, it contains some wonderful mosaics illustrating the seasons, bathhouses, and, a short walk away, a temple by the River Coln.

For overnight stays try Prospect Cottage (860875; www.prospectcottage.co.uk; West End; s/d £60/75; ), an atmospheric 17th-century home with bright simple rooms featuring pine furniture and spacious bathrooms. Alternatively, the Wheatsheaf (860244; www.wsan.co.uk; West End; s £50-60, d £60-80; ) has eight excellent-value en suite rooms decked out in slick contemporary style. The restaurant serves a good selection of light lunches (£6 to £8) and a modern British dinner menu (mains £11 to £13).

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009