Moreton-in-Marsh Tourist Information and Travel Guide

Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire is one of the principal market towns in the northern Cotswolds situated on the Fosse Way and now served by the main line railway from London. It grew up in the thirteenth century as a market town with a wide main street, narrow burgage plots and back lanes. There still is a busy Tuesday market with about 200 stalls
attracting many visitors. See image of Tolls charged in 1905.

Moreton has been a traveller's town for at least 1700 years and was used as a coaching station before the coming of the Oxford to Worcester railway in 1853. There are several pubs, inns, hotels, tea shops, restaurants and accommodation in the form of B&Bs and holiday cottages in the immediate vicinity. A popular caravan site exists just on the outskirts of the town.

The high street has many elegant eighteenth-century inns and houses including the Redesdale Market Hall, a Victorian 'Tudor' building of some distinction. The oldest building is likely to be the sixteenth-century Curfew tower on the High Street. Its bell was rung nightly until 1860 to remind people of the risk of fire at night. The Parish church of St. David was originally a chapel of ease for Bourton-on-the-Hill and in 1858 was rebuilt in medieval style.

Moreton-in-Marsh was founded on the Roman Fosse Way, later the traditional London to Worcester coaching route.

Two miles away in the hamlet of Dorn, many Roman remains have been found.

It was transferred to the ownership of Westminster Abbey just before the Norman Conquest, the estate sold only in 1856 after a thousand years of church ownership.

Close to the town is the Four Shires Stone marking the historic meeting point of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.

Moreton was granted its market charter in 1227 and the well known Market is still held every Tuesday throughout the year.

Many of the old buildings along the High Street date from the 17th and 18th centuries.

King Charles l is said to have stayed at The White Hart Hotel in 1644.

The Curfew Tower at the junction of High Street and Oxford Street dates from the 17th century, in daily use until 1860. It is said that it once guided home a Sir Robert Fry, lost in the fog, who gave money for its maintenance, in gratitude.

The market hall is named after the Redesdale family of Batsford House.

The Batsford Arboretum was planted by Lord Redesdale, one of the largest private collection of rare trees in England.

• See - Location map for Moreton-in-Marsh and Driving Instructions

ATTRACTIONS

Good shopping including antiques and the very popular Tuesday market. Several good eating places.

Visiting Famous Gardens

There are several famous gardens within 15 minutes car journey of Moreton-in-Marsh including Hidcote Manor, Snowshill Manor, Bourton House, Sezincote, Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate Court and Batsford Arboretum. See - Cotswold Gardens and North Cotswold Gardens Map and Driving Directions.

Places to Visit Nearby

• Chastleton House
• Rollright Stones
• Market Town of Stow-on-the-Wold
• Market Town of Chipping Campden
• Bourton-on-the-Water Village
• Broadway Village
• Broadway Tower
• Batsford Arboretum

Moreton-in-Marsh Taxis

CJP Cotswold Tours and Private Hire
Contact - Chris Peake, e-mail: chrispeake@cotswold-tours.com
Tel: +44 (0)1386 859078, Mobile: +44 (0)7787 193334. Website: www.cotswold-tours.com

Meon Private Hire and Courier Services
Contact - James Caine tel 07765 200237 e-mail - info@meonprivatehire.co.uk
Web Site - www.meonprivatehire.co.uk

Cotswold Taxis

Based Moreton-in-Marsh and Broadway and licensed by Cotswold District Council

AIRPORT TRANSFERS | COTSWOLD TOURS | LOCAL TAXI SERVICE

Safe, friendly and professional service. Advanced Driver Trained.

Tel: 07710 117471 Website:- www.cotswoldtaxis.com

Visit the Market Town of Moreton-in-Marsh