Discover Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire

Brewery House, Stow-on-the-Wold: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brewery_House_-_geograph.org.uk_-_552196.jpg
Author: David Stowell


Stow-on-the-Wold is a market town in Cotswold district, in Gloucestershire, England. It is situated on a hill top, at 244 m (800 ft) above sea level, at the cross road of routes in the Cotswolds. The town has a population of 2,800 people (2012 estimate).

The presence of an Iron Age fort in the area provides evidence of human habitation in Stow-on-the-Wold going back to prehistory. Stow-on-the-Wold traces its history to the Norman period, when it was founded as a trading town at the crossroads. In the beginning, the town was called Edwardstow or Stow St Edwards, after the town's patron saint, Edward the Martyr.

In the medieval age Stow-on-the-Wold was well known for its fair. A charter was granted by King Edward III in 1330 for a 7-day fair in August. Then in 1476 King Edward VI replaced it with two 5-day fairs, held two days before and two days after the Feast of St Philip & St James in May.

In the early days, trading in Stow-on-the-Wold focused on livestock. By the 17th century, this gave way to handmade and manufactured goods, and in particular, wool. The wool trade was eventually replaced by horse trade. Today the horse fair is still being held at the edge of town.

Market Hall, Stow-on-the-Wold: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stow_on_the_Wold_Market_Hall_-_geograph.org.uk_-_447261.jpg
Author: Graham Horn

Visiting Stow-on-the-Wold

From London, take the M40 motorway to Junction 8, continue west on the A40 road till Burford. Drive through Burford High Street (A361) and continue on the A424 road heading north till arriving at Stow-on-the-Wold.

Places of Interest in Stow-on-the-Wold

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