Stow-on-the-Wold
| Stow-on-the-Wold | |||
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| Coordinates | 51 ° 56 ′ N , 1 ° 43 ′ W | ||
| OS National Grid | SP191258 | ||
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| Residents | 2794 (as of 2001) | ||
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| Post town | Cheltenham | ||
| ZIP code section | GL54 | ||
| prefix | 01451 | ||
| Part of the country | England | ||
| region | South West England | ||
| Shire county | Gloucestershire | ||
| District | Cotswold | ||
| Civil Parish | Stow-on-the-Wold | ||
| British Parliament | The Cotswolds | ||
| Website: Town council's web site | |||
Stow-on-the-Wold is a historic market town in Gloucestershire in the heart of England . Perched on a 700- foot hill at the junction of major Cotswold roads, it was once one of the centers of the wool trade that made this English region rich. In the 19th century , up to 20,000 sheep were traded on the twice-yearly market days. Today the city has 2,794 inhabitants (2001 census).
Stow-on-the-Wold also played a role in the English Civil War . A number of battles took place in the area, in the course of which the old St. Edward Church was also damaged. On March 21, 1646, the royalists under Sir Jacob Astley were defeated here and held for some time in St. Edwards.
The image of the idyllic small town (translated from Old English 'town on the hill') is characterized by the honey-yellow quarry-stone houses typical of the Cotswolds on gentle rows of hills and make the place appear as a prime example of English country life.
The numerous antique shops and traditional pubs shape the picture of lively rural existence. Until a few years ago, there was a regular sheep market in Market Square around St. Edwards Hall, where the library is located. Today, farmers from the area use the space once a month to offer their goods. Another meeting point, be it for folk festivals or dog owners, is the cricket field on the western outskirts.
Also worth seeing in Stow-on-the-Wold are the two mighty yew trees that frame the north portal of St. Edwards and numerous landscaped gardens in the vicinity.
Stow-on-the-Wold is the birthplace of psychologist Frederic Charles Bartlett and was also the last residence of John Entwistle before his death in 2002.
Stow Horse Fair
The Horse Fair , also known as the Stow Fair, takes place every May . Thousands of gypsies meet on the meadows in front of the city to trade horses . This causes almost all hotels, pubs and shops to close for this period.
