16 December 2023 , 07:20
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A pretty town with plenty of walking trails and quaint pubs is the perfect destination for those trying to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital.
Lechlade-on-Thames, located on the southern edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, is located just one hour away from London - and is a popular spot for refreshing winter walks in nature. The town, just northeast of Swindon, also has plenty of history to its name for lovers of the days of old, being chartered as a market town in 1210 by King John.
It is right at the border of three different counties - Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire - and boasts a walking trail that crosses into each of them. The path goes through Lechlade-on-Thames and provides a beautifully scenic river walk while, most importantly, leading you past country pubs in the town where you can stop for a pint and a pie.
The Riverside bar and restaurant in the town (Getty Images)You can also do a walk called the Three Counties Walk just out east of the town which takes you into the country and back along the Thames and by the end of it you will have passed through the counties of Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. The Seven Stiles Walk is up to the Round House where the Severn Thames Canal joins the Thames. The Round House is one of 30 houses built for lockkeepers who worked on the Thames and Serven Canal.
If walking along the Thames is not good enough for you, you can always get onto via a river cruise from Lechlade-on-Thames. Leaving from the Trout Inn the boat can seat up to 12 passengers for a relaxing float down the river. There are also kayaks, canoes and pedaloes available for hire though these only open up in the spring.
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The top-rated place for food on TripAdvisor is The New Inn. The Inn also has a hotel where you can stay for the duration of your getaway. The restaurant serves hearty pub grub classics with a gastro twist.
Halfpenny Bridge on the River Thames in the town (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Burgers, fish and chips, pies drenched in gravy - you name it they've got it, along with a choice of delicious puddings. The New Inn also do a Sunday roast as well with a special menu. A Christmas menu is also available at their Christmas party as well as on Christmas Day as well.
Another top-rated place for food is Lynwood & Co cafe. They serve exquisite brunches with sough dough toast, avocadoes, scrambled eggs and all that jazz with great vegetarian options. Other highlights are the Honey Glazed Pear & Brie Tart, Roast Chicken, Curried Onions, Paneer Cheese & Mango Chutney Melt and the Butternut Squash, Caramelised Onion, Bechamel & Gruyere Tart.
This Christmas, Lechlade-on-Thames is welcoming Santa's Sleigh every working day so that kids can go and meet Father Christmas. Lechlade-on-Thames has also many different shops selling amazing Christmas gifts and decorations to spruce up any home.
Boats on the River Thames in Lechlade (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)A florist in the town called Blue and Boheme is creating bespoke wreaths and garlands out of real plants to take your Christmas to the next level. They could make the perfect gift or could brighten up your own home back in London and serve as a reminder of your great trip away during the festive season, reports MyLondon.
Another shop on the high street in the town called Cotswold Christmas Shop does what it says on the tin. It sells beautiful handcrafted wooden ornaments, nutcrackers, and snow globes. For that special someone, you can even get a personalised bauble that they can hang on their tree and cherish for years to come.
The store had different themed Christmas goods too with German-style decorations, Hollywood baubles and Nordic gingerbread houses. It is the one-stop shop for all things Christmas.