A Very Busy Day

After our arduous day of travel we were ready and eager to begin our touristing today with a day packed with doing not very much. We slept until [redacted] so after breakfast we just had time to pop in to town, stop briefly at the library and bakery and get some supplies for lunch.


After lunch we started more serious sightseeing.(Technically, after lunch and a short nap).Chipping Campden is known for its market hall. Built in 1627 it is a precursor I suppose of the modern shopping mall.A local craft fair was on next to it and we injected some money into the local economy there.


We continued strolling the high street and suddenly found a door in the stone wall that led to an enchanting secret garden.


It turned out to be the Ernest Wilson Memorial Garden named for a native son who brought circa 2000 plants to Europe from China and other parts of Asia. The plants in the garden are all from China originally. It couldn’t have been more than a couple acres but it was a lovely secluded place.

  Our walk continued to St. James Church which dates to the 13th century.It is said to be one of the finest wool churches in the country (wool merchants being the silicon valley philanthropists of a bygone era I suppose). Many of the tombstones in the church yard were so worn that they appeared blank. The oldest one we could read was from 1681.

 

We browsed our way back down high street (post cards, maps, more food) and got back home for a pre-dinner rest.


That’s High House right behind Victoria. Just to give you all fair warning, we’re thinking of buying it and not coming home. Cheers for now!



Comments

  1. Maggie BCMay 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM

    Everything looks enchanting! You lodgings look lovely, having a conservatory sounds very Jane Austen. Finding a secret garden so early in your trip is a wonderful omen. Keep the details coming to assist vicarious voyagers.

    ReplyDelete

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