Five things to do in Filkins!

Liz Nicholls

To tie in with our competition this month, here’s a little insider’s guide from the team at The Five Alls…

Filkins

The Cotswolds Woollen Weavers. Housed in old barns, it makes traditional blankets, throws and country-style clothing on its ancient looms. Cotswold Woollen Weavers

Lechlade (the source of the River Thames) is the nearest large village, a five-minute drive from Kelmscott. There’s a high street linked with independent shops and cafes.

Kelmscott

Kelmscott is a small, hidden away village of old Cotswold stone houses and cottages. Its biggest draw is its idyllic rural location and Kelmscott Manor, former home of William Morris. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays 11am-5pm from April-October. The house is a two-minute walk from the Thames Path. Kelmscott Manor

Walk along the Thames Path alongside the meadows to Lechlade or in the other direction towards Faringdon.

Close by

Buscot Park, five minutes from Kelmscott, this grand, late 18th century house in gorgeous gardens and is still the family home of Lord Faringdon. Inside, a great art collection, including works by pre-Raphaelite artists such as Burne-Jones and Rossetti + Reubens, van Dyck and Murillo, as well as contemporary art. Buscot Park | Oxfordshire | Nation a l Trust

Buscot is a very pretty village with a field next to the Thames, where the river spills out into huge, pond area.

Burford, a 15-minute drive away. Small market town with lots of antique shops and independents, including the Cotswold Cheese Company. Also home to Burford Garden Centre, just outside town. It’s a huge upmarket shop selling all things garden and top quality plants + quality home furnishings, antiques, toys, clothes, gifts, toys, books. Also stocks good quality, locally made products, pottery, crafts and locally produced food and drink.

Local producers and farm shops nearby include; Upton Smokery – fab farm shop with home-made and local smoked produce. Close to Burford. Upton Smokery. Daylesford Organic Farm Shop is a 35-minute drive away.

Further afield

Chastleton House – Amazing Jacobean manor house in fairly dilapidated state. National Trust-owned and very Miss Havisham. It’s off the road to main Stow to Chipping Norton road and signposted. About a 30-minute drive from Kelmscott, close to Daylesford. Chastleton | Oxfordshire | National Trust

Local landmark

Faringdon Folly is an eccentric 20th century tower built in the 1930s with far reaching views from the top and surrounded by ancient woodland. Close to Kelmscott. Faringdon Folly Tower and Woodland

Don’t miss

Giffords Circus – Cotswolds touring circus (May-October) that performs in local villages including nearby Great Barrington, Kingham and Blenheim Palace from May-Sept end annually. www.giffordscircus.com

Cotswold Wildlife Park, five minutes from Kelmscott. Recently awarded Fourth Best Zoo in the UK on TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Attractions Awards and also rated twelfth best zoo in Europe. Open Year round Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens