Hidden village that rivals its famous neighbours with its picture perfect charm
- UK Hidden Gems
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Nestled in Gloucestershire, this village sits quietly beside the River Windrush, deep in the Cotswolds, yet it remains mostly overlooked by passing tourists.
The River Windrush winds through this charming village, tucked between the busy hotspots of Stow and Cheltenham, hidden away from many people exploring the Cotswolds.
Its scenery is just as beautiful as its well known neighbours, with the same rolling hills and historic stone buildings, but without the bustling crowds.
This lovely village is home to around 350 residents and not much else, as it has been without shops since 1999.
Even so, Naunton enjoys a lively community with lots of local groups and clubs for golf, cricket and tennis.
Visitors are often drawn to Naunton Downs Golf Club, praised for its peaceful setting and eco friendly course layout.
One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “Well maintained course with some challenging holes and beautiful views. The icing on the cake is the cosy clubhouse and its very helpful staff, so keen in answering your needs.”
For the best views across Naunton’s wide countryside, visitors are encouraged to head up the hillside. There are many walking routes in the area that tempt people to explore, including the Guiting Power and Naunton Circular Walk.
This gentle and pleasant route simply follows a path through the Windrush Valley, giving walkers lovely views of the village as they go.
Along the way, you will come across several historic spots, including the impressive Naunton Dovecote rising proudly in the valley near the river, and St Andrew’s Church.
The Dovecote is a beautifully designed Grade II listed building that has been carefully restored, keeping its ancient charm while adding touches seen in traditional farm buildings.
It has stayed mostly unchanged, with only small adjustments over the centuries to protect its importance to the village’s history.
Close by are the remains of a small turbine house containing a Francis type turbine, which was built around 1929.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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