Great Tew is a picturesque village in Oxfordshire, not far from Chipping Norton and only a few miles from where we were staying. So we paid an afternoon visit after unpacking. There was a lot of building work going on so the village wasn't looking its best. The pub (Falkland Arms) and next door cafe (Quince & Clover) looked inviting but we were heading up towards the Norman church of St Michael's and All Angels.
From the road, you pass through this 17th Century gateway with just a short walk up to the church ...
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| Photo 1: !7th Century Gateway |
... which suddenly comes into view on your left ...
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| Photo 2: St Michael & All Angels, Great Tew |
The church has some
original Norman features but was largely rebuilt in the 13th & 14th Centuries.
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| Photo 3: Inside St Michael & All Angels, Great Tew |
Two flower arrangers were getting the church ready for a wedding on the Saturday (7th June) and were able to assist in moving a couple of large urns. We were also told that another wedding that summer was planned where the church would be decorated with 80,000 roses!! Names were not mentioned but perhaps it is
Steve Jobs daughter?? Whoever it is, we wish them luck although that many roses seems a tad excessive.
As we were walking back to the car, this somewhat unexpected chimney came into view ...
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| Photo 4: Chimney for Sawmill Beam Engine, Great Tew |
Apparently, part of a sawmill complex and built for a
beam engine which has since disappeared.
The following day we visited Blenheim Palace (
here and
here) which left Saturday to fill before we departed early on the Sunday.
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| Photo 5: The King Stone, Rollright Stones |
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| Photo 6: The King's Men Stone Circle |
I forgot to take a picture of the Whispering Knights which is the oldest part of this ancient monument and 5000 years old (similar age to
Stonehenge). Perhaps we were feeling a little peckish so we retired to a nearby
garden centre for some refreshments. We also came away with a few plants!
Did I mention the great views from the Rollright Stones?
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| Photo 7: View from the King Stone |
After partaking of refreshments, four of us went to
Chastleton House while the other pair headed for Chipping Norton. Mary & I visited
Chastleton House & Garden last October but it's always nice to revisit in a different season. It was a quick visit because we had to get back to our holiday accommodation to welcome some visitors at 4.30 pm. There was still time to pop into the church for refreshments (Angela's Legendary Brownie) raising funds for a local school.
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| Photo 8: Chastleton House |
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| Photo 9: Chastleton House Gardens |
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| Photo 10: Chastleton House Gardens |
On Sunday, we left our excellent holiday accommodation and headed for Burford - gateway to the Cotswolds - before our three parties headed off in different directions (Isle of Wight, North Devon and Hereford) for home.
Despite this area being a magnet for celebrities (the Chipping Norton Set) and Sir David Beckham living near Great Tew, we had a quiet and relaxed break with just the right amount of excitement.
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