Around Lechlade-on-Thames, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

Lechlade is easily accessible from Oxford, the Roman town of Cirencester, Cheltenham and Swindon.

Lechlade is an historic market town on the edge of the Cotswolds and a haven for river-lovers. With miles of bank between the lock and Ha'penny Bridge, there's always plenty of mooring available. Lechlade is the highest navigable point of the River Thames, and as such is the turning point for many narrow boats and cabin cruisers.

Lechlade c1890 looking east along the High Street. The Crown Inn's sign can be seen just to the left of the pole. What is now the Black Cat Tearooms is to the right of the tradesmen.

St Lawrence Church, whose spire dominates the surrounding countryside, was built in the late fifteenth century from the funds of a local wool merchant. In 1815 it was a source of inspiration for the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who wrote 'Stanzas in a Summer Evening Churchyard'. Crossing the Thames on the south side of the town center is Ha'penny Bridge, with its toll house forming part of the eastern parapet. On the upstream side, pleasure boats may be hired by the hour to explorer the upper Thames. In August, during the Raft Regatta, locals dare each other to jump into the (thankfully deep!) channel below.

St John's Lock attracts thousands of visitors each year. Many people are content simply to sit an watch the river float by, surrounded by the hazy meadows that separate the lock from the town. The walk along the bank of the Thames from St John's Lock to Ha'penny Bridge is one to savour, especially knowing the welcome that awaits you at the Crown Inn afterwards!

Lechlade grew up as a wool town and was once one of the busiest inland ports in the country. A now disused canal linked the River Severn to the River Thames at Lechlade, and was used for transporting wool and Cotswold stone. There are plans underway by a local committee to renovate this canal, located by the Roundhouse.

You'll have no trouble finding somewhere to eat; if you don't fancy a pub lunch at the Crown Inn, try the Black Cat Tearooms, just over the road or there's an Indian Restaurant and a Fish and Chip shop. For a special occasion we can recommend Colley's Supper Rooms, next door to the Crown.

There are many pleasant walks around Lechlade and the River Thames, the Three Counties Walk being among the best. To view details of the Three Counties Walk, you'll need Adobe Acrobat installed.

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Local shops include:

The Chocolate Teapot, unusual gifts for chocoholics.

The Christmas Shop, specialising in collectors items for the Christmas enthusiast.

The Old Bell Pottery, arts and crafts and dolls house miniatures.

Nice Things, a gift shop next door to the Black Cat Tearooms.

Whistlers, a fine art gallery, two doors away from the Crown Inn.

Looking4glass, a specialist glass shop selling beautiful ornaments.

The Oxford Wine Company, suppliers of fine wines, ports and champagnes, with a cafe upstairs.

The Bloom Room, selling beautiful flowers and plants.