Cotswolds makes for a lovely autumn weekend break, as the area is
dotted throughout with some interesting antique centres and fairs.
dotted throughout with some interesting antique centres and fairs.
Before the dark winter days set it completely, my partner and I decided to head west to the Cotswolds. Our main aim was to visit the Antiques Fair at The Three Counties Showground at Malvern on the Sunday morning and on the way take in the lovely scenery of the Cotswolds.
Saturday was simply wonderful as far as both weather and shopping was concerned. First stop was at The Quiet Woman Antique Centre in Chipping Norton. This was a most inspiring place, filled with top quality items including Georgian writing desks and many small mahogany and oak tables which are easy to fit in any room design. Some wonderful writing desk items were also displayed, all very tastefully in little room settings. I was hoping to find some Arts & Crafts this weekend, as the best were produced right here in the Cotswolds during the turn of the last century, and I was not disappointed. Some fine copper candlesticks and vases were for sale, all outside my budget but such a treat just to look at. With this, we were filled with even more inspiration and headed further north west to Evesham. At the back of an old House Clearance business, there it was, the overmantel mirror, inlaid with Arts & Crafts copper, my partner had no idea he needed. After a lot of haggling, we spent the next half hour trying to fit it into the back of the car. Oh dear. Some 100 year old screws had to be unscrewed with great difficulty, sweat and tears. But after dismantling top of said item – it fitted into the car. The fact that I ended up
with weekend bags, jackets, picknick bag etc. in lap, was beside the point.
He was happy. Of course we had no idea if it will fit the fireplace at home…
with weekend bags, jackets, picknick bag etc. in lap, was beside the point.
He was happy. Of course we had no idea if it will fit the fireplace at home…
We checked into an old Victorian humdinger of a hotel in Great Malvern.
The Abbey Hotel is easy to find as it is, yes, next to the medieval Abbey, in Abbey Road. It has a fantastic view overlooking the Cotswolds and the Malvern Hills. It has a great atmosphere of a time gone by; when the wealthy upper classes headed to the area to take in the fresh air, take the waters and most of all to be seen. Strolling along the fine streets still lined with great houses, many now turned into B&Bs.
The Abbey Hotel is easy to find as it is, yes, next to the medieval Abbey, in Abbey Road. It has a fantastic view overlooking the Cotswolds and the Malvern Hills. It has a great atmosphere of a time gone by; when the wealthy upper classes headed to the area to take in the fresh air, take the waters and most of all to be seen. Strolling along the fine streets still lined with great houses, many now turned into B&Bs.
The showground is just 10 minutes south of Great Malvern. It was quickly very busy with buyers and here are some of the many things that caught my attention.
Malvern is on 25 January. Put that date in your new 2015 diary right away. Worth the trip!
