Whittington is a small and pretty Cotswold village with an Elizabethan Manor and a Medieval church

Whittington is a small Cotswold village, steeped in history and mentioned in Domesday. See if you can spot the 1860's Gothic style drinking fountain or the sun dial set on the front of one of the cottages dated 1757. Another cottage has an inset stone over the front door of 1587.

You can read the inscriptions on the War Memorial, and look at The Old School House and The Old Post Office, both now residential. Opposite, there is a mid 18th Century barn. You could while away a minute or so on a bench which sits on the green, just by the traditional red telephone box. How quintessentially English. The box no longer contains a telephone, but the village was keen to keep it when they were being removed by BT, and an agreement was made for it to remain.

The village of Whittington has a traditional red telephone box, albeit without the telephone.

Whittington Court is the impressive 16th Century manor house which you will pass on your left as you turn off the A40 into the village. The current building was probably begun by Robert Bruce Cotton, and his son John Cotton in 1556 on an earlier moated site. The interior of the Grade I listed house is Elizabethan. The house is open to members of the public at certain times of the year.

It is within a former gardeners cottage of Whittington Court that the presses of the Whittington Press are held. The first book was printed from the press in 1972 and they continue to print today.

Almost up against the Manor is the Medieval church dedicated to St. Bartholomew. A small moat surrounding the church is thought to have early origins of being a Roman road. If you would like to have a look around the church, and the door is locked, a local warden should be able to be able to give you access. The telephone number for the warden is on the noticeboard in the churchyard.

The Medieval church of St. Bartholomew in Whittington with Whittington Court behind.

A military camp was located in Whittington near to the Manor during the second world war, and the buildings were used in the 1950's to boost the number of residents in Whittington. The demolition of these properties, once no longer required, explains the erratic numbering of houses in the village. Who'd be a postman in a village where 76a is next door to 11!

Just a short walk or drive through Whittington is Cleeve Hill. At 1083 feet, Cleeve Hill is the highest point in the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire. If you have seen horseracing from Cheltenham on television, you will recognise Cleeve Hill with it's three tall radio masts as the backdrop to Cheltenham Racecourse.

A pretty Cotswold village, the Whittington village show is held in late summer.

The Whittington village summer show with stalls, Morris Dancers and childrens activities, is usually held on the first Saturday of each September. Why not take a short weekend break in the Cotswolds and come and stay at Whalley Farm.

If you would like to make a bed and breakfast booking at Whalley Farm, or if you have any queries, please contact Gill Rowe on Cheltenham 01242 820213 or Mobile 07786 437235. You can email your enquiry to rowefarms@farmline.com