England
Gloucestershire

Lower Slaughter

Summary
A classic Cotswold village, with lovely cottages of Cotswold stone beside the sleepy River Eye.

The village
Lower Slaughter has been called the most beautiful village in England. While that assessment is certainly open to debate, there's no questioning the quiet beauty of this small Cotswold village near Bourton on the Water.

The name of the village may seem disconcerting at first; it has nothing to do with death, but is a modern mangling of the old English for "slough". The only "attraction" in Lower Slaughter is the Old Mill, with its restored water wheel and distinctive red brick tower. The Mill now houses a tea shop, a small store, and museum.

The real attraction of Lower Slaughter is the village itself, with cottages of Cotswold stone beside the slow-moving River Eye, really no more than a stream, crossed by two narrow footbridges.

The church, dedicated to St Mary, is lovely - there's that word again, with a tall spire (see images in the Photo Gallery). An enjoyable footpath joins Lower Slaughter with Upper Slaughter a mile or so away.

For a better look at the beauty of Lower Slaughter, please visit our Lower Slaughter Photo Gallery.

Notes
I have visited Lower Slaughter many times, and always left with a sense of peace. This is truly a beautiful little village. Come at evening of a long summer's day, and watch the golden sunlight strike the Cotswold stone cottages and reflect off the placid waters of the Eye, and see if you don't agree.

Lower Slaughter Photo Gallery
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Location
off the A429

Nearby
Bourton-on-the-Water
Stow on the Wold

Related:
Cotswolds