Nestled in Gloucestershire this village sits peacefully beside the River Windrush, deep within the Cotswolds, yet remains largely unnoticed by tourists.
The River Windrush meanders through the enchanting village of Naunton, positioned between the bustling destinations of Stow and Cheltenham, hidden from many Cotswolds explorers. Its landscape boasts the same stunning beauty as its renowned neighbours, featuring identical undulating countryside and historic stone buildings, without the hectic crowds of adjacent settlements.
This delightful village houses approximately 350 inhabitants and little else, having been without retail establishments since 1999. Nevertheless, Naunton maintains a vibrant community spirit with numerous local groups and societies catering to activities such as golf, cricket and tennis.
The village attracts visitors through Naunton Downs Golf Club, renowned for its peaceful terrain and environmentally conscious course design. One TripAdvisor review declares: “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 most spectacular views across Naunton’s expansive countryside, tourists are advised to ascend the hillside. Indeed, multiple walking routes throughout the region entice people to discover the village, including the Guiting Power and Naunton Circular Walk.
The delightful and gentle stroll simply traces a pathway through the Windrush Valley, offering spectacular vistas of the village along the way.
Throughout the journey, walkers will encounter several historic landmarks, including the imposing Naunton Dovecote rising majestically in the valley alongside the river and St Andrew’s Church. The Dovecote stands as an exquisitely crafted Grade II listed structure that has been carefully restored to blend its ancient characteristics with contemporary features typical of agricultural buildings.
It remains largely untouched, as the structure has been modified throughout the centuries to preserve its significance to the village’s financial fortunes. Adjacent to this sits the remains of a compact turbine house containing a Francis-type turbine, constructed around 1929.
It harnesses a portion of the river’s current to generate hydroelectric power for the nearby Manor House.The location welcomes visitors throughout the day for those wishing to catch a glimpse whilst trekking through the countryside.
It serves as an ideal rest point between the public footpaths, Wardens Way and Diamond Way, and lies close to Windrush Way, enabling ramblers to pause and absorb the site’s heritage.
A Google review captures the essence of the location, saying: “Very interesting history around this place; the passing of age definitely has left its mark. This is the first dovecot I’ve ever seen, and I was amazed.
“We found it accidentally while walking around the village; the river next to it adds to the tranquillity of the landscape. No tickets are required to get in; there is a small donation box outside.”