Fairford Travel Guide

Drive 10 minutes from Cirencester or take the bus to reach Fairford in the morning. Entering town along the A417, you'll immediately see St Mary's Church — a "wool church" rebuilt in the late 15th century by wealthy wool merchant John Tame, housing England's only complete set of 28 medieval stained glass windows. These windows were supervised by Barnard Flower, the King's Glazier at Westminster, with some designs based on the early printed Biblia Pauperum; the depiction of the devil in the west window is particularly captivating. Then stroll along the River Coln — crystal clear water with swans and ducks gliding peacefully, passing the 17th-century Old Mill and honey-coloured limestone terraces. Follow the Fairford Heritage Trail, exploring the 1738 Free School (now a community centre), the 16th-century Bull Hotel and other Georgian and Tudor buildings. On Wednesdays, catch the traditional market and sample local artisan bread and cheese. Enjoy dinner at a riverside pub to end your Fairford old town tour.

If time allows, combine Fairford with surrounding Cotswolds highlights for a 2-day 1-night trip. In the morning, head to the Cotswold Water Park — Britain's largest inland lake system covering 40 square miles with 140 lakes offering paddleboarding, kayaking, pedal boats, AquaVenture inflatable obstacle course, mini golf and sailing. The lakeside beach is a popular summer spot for families. In the afternoon, drive 10 minutes to Buscot Park — a late 18th-century neoclassical country house privately owned by the Faringdon family, featuring Peto-designed water gardens, a Four Seasons Garden and woodland avenues, with a tea room serving cream teas and handmade cakes. Then continue to Lechlade-on-Thames — the ancient market town where the River Coln meets the Thames, walking along the Thames Path to the confluence. Alternatively, hike the Coln Valley, passing perfectly preserved medieval stone hamlets like Coln St Aldwyns. End your Cotswolds trip with a riverside dinner at The Trout Inn.