Swinbrook

Follow the River Windrush east from Burford for around 2 miles and you will come across one of the most idyllic and peaceful settings in the Cotswolds.  Swinbrook is a very pretty small village comprising mainly 17th & 18th century houses, a beautiful cricket club, an historic church and a delightful Inn just seconds from the busy A-40.

Home to the famous Mitford Family for many years and the Fettiplace family for over 300 years, Swinbrook attracts visitors all year round to walk along the river, visit St. Mary's Church and to visit  the newly refurbished Swan Inn. 

The Church houses the incredibly intricate Fettiplace Tombs while in the churchyard is the final resting place of the Mitford Sisters. During summer months, Swinbrook takes on quite a bustle with regular cricket matches, horse shows and, of course, the soon to be infamous - Swinbrook & Asthall Riverday celebrations.

Asthall

Just a short walk down river from Swinbrook is an equally pretty village with a Manor House a Church and of course The Maytime Inn.

In Roman times there was a small settlement here on Akeman Street (the former Roman road linking Cirencester with St Albans) evidence of which can still be seen at certain times of year particularly when the cornfields are bare - post harvest.  Asthall Manor was home to the Mitfords for many years while nearby Swinbrook House was under construction, in fact Nancy Mitford wrote much of "Love in a Cold Climate" here.

             Photos - ^©Andy Trevaskis