"Bourton...four villages in one." Top 5 Page for this destination Bourton on the Water by lou31

Bourton on the Water Travel Guide: 64 reviews and 195 photos

The little village - Bourton on the Water

The miniature village.

Apart from wanting to see this pretty Cotswold village I came to Bourton with a quest to see it's famous miniature village.

Situated behind the Old New Inn it really is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and design. I have a fascination for anything miniature and this really captivated me. My only regret was that because of time I could only stay a short while.
I have more pics and info in my tips.

These pages on Bourton are more like pages of the model village, but I couldn't help it.

There are actually four villages you see. Bourton proper. Then the model village and then a model of the model and inside it yet another!

A little bit of history...

The stream and bridges

The name Bourton comes from the Saxon word BURGH which means a fort or camp and TON which means a village or settlement. So it's name means 'the village beside the camp'. There is evidence of far earlier settlements in this part of the Cotswolds. Stone Age and Bronze Age burial mounds are common throughout the area. On the northern edge of the village is the sight of a Stone Age encampment, which was subsequently occupied by later civilisations. Iron Age currency bars from around 300 BC were found there during excavations carried out in the last century. They are now reside in the British Museum.

A pretty village...

Shops and tearooms

Now apart from the model village Bourton is very pretty. It had this nice little stream running down beside the main street complete with bridges. There were loads of shops and eateries as well...what more could you want? Unfortuneately my bus had to leave and I never got to see very much of the place.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A typical Cotswold village complete with scenic river.
Cons:Can't think of any one.
In a nutshell:A nice place to spend a day.

Last visit to Bourton on the Water: May 2005
Intro Updated Jun 4, 2006
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Reviews (10)

Some of the shops - Bourton on the Water

Shops galore! Shopping (3)

Oh I wish I had had more time! There were shops everywhere...Christmas ones, Confectionery ones, Antique ones...all... more travel advice

EWM with china shop next door - Bourton on the Water

Good bargains in Spring and Summer Shopping (3)

Edinburgh Woollen Mills had a shop in Bourton. They are worth going to for bargains in Spring and Summer. more travel advice

My plate for 6 pound. - Bourton on the Water

China and gifts galore! Shopping (3)

I found a great little shop selling lots and lots of china and homewares. It wasn't a very expensive shop and the china... more travel advice

model village...cottages in detail Things to Do (7)

This delightful cottage complete with garden was one of my favourites. I would have liked to explore the town and find... more travel advice

Comments (7)

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angiebabe Feb 21, 2009 at 8:54 AM

Hi Lou, I took a friend from Sydney when she was over a few years back and we greatly enjoyed the model village too. cute pics here.
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aussirose Jun 19, 2008 at 5:25 PM

Oh wow! I'm definately going to visit this place....when I get to Europe! :o) Hugs xx
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VeronicaG Aug 14, 2007 at 7:00 AM

The model village was so sweet--I can just imagine the number of hours and attention to detail its construction required! Regards from Texas...
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evaanna Dec 25, 2006 at 11:59 PM

Lovely place, like all Cotswolds villages. The model village is so cute.
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alancollins Jun 4, 2006 at 12:43 PM

Nice pics and tips. Looking for ideas to show a friend around the Cotswolds.
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iandsmith Sep 23, 2005 at 12:03 PM

I'll try and fill in some gaps for you, I'm booked in already. Good enthusiasm
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aussiejen Jul 11, 2005 at 4:39 PM

Gorgeous little town. Nice pics.