MORETON IN MARSH, GLOUCESTERSHIRE - COTSWOLDS

Moreton-in-Marsh is a town in Gloucestershire, England. The name “Moreton” derives from “Farmstead on the Moor”, while “Marsh” is a corruption of “march”, which means “boundary”. Moreton is located on the boundary of four counties. A stone monument, the Four Shires Stone, stands on the boundary of Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Oxfordshire.

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 earliest signs of a settlement around Moreton dates back to 1st century Roman earthworks predating the Fosse Way, the Roman road that runs through the centre of Moreton-in-Marsh. The town is of Saxon origin and is over 1000 years old, the name Moreton meaning 'Moorland Settlement, and the much misunderstood 'in Marsh' originally being 'Henmarsh' - boggy land where wild birds were to be had.

Before the Norman Conquest, Moreton-in-Marsh was owned by the Earls of Mercia. In the Domesday Book it is shown as belonging to Westminster Abbey.

The town's environs are quite flat and low-lying. During World War II, a large area of this flat land to the east of the town was made into an airfield and used by Wellington Bombers. The former airfield is now the English Fire Service College, where firefighters are trained. In the nineteenth century the town was the southern terminus of the horse-drawn Stratford and Moreton Tramway.

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 has a museum devoted to the Wellington Bomber.

Moreton is the headquarters of the railway spot-hire company Cotswold Rail.

MORETON IN MARSH HOTELS

Lower Brook House

Lower Street, Blockley, Gloucestershire, GL56 9LS.
Situated in the perfectly traditional Cotswold village of Blockley, a warm welcome awaits at Lower Brook House. Enjoy all the comforts expected from a top quality establishment located in a spectacular setting.

Manor House Classic

High Street, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 OLJ.
Country House style property in The Cotswolds with excellent food & service located in the heart of Moreton in Marsh. The Manor House in the Cotswolds benefits from direct rail connection from Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington.

White Hart Royal Hotel

High St, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0BA.
This 16th century coaching inn, in which King Charles I found refuge. The restaurant and bar offer freshly prepared meals from an extensive menu. Conference facilities are also available.

MORETON IN MARSH RESTAURANTS

Annie's Restaurant - 3 Oxford Street, Moreton-In-Marsh
Cotswold Restaurant - High Street, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0AX
Hassan Balti - High Street, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0AD
Little Chef - Stretton On Fosse, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9RE
The Marshmallow - High Street, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0AT
The Marsh Goose - High Street, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0AX

MORETON IN MARSH ATTRACTIONS

Batsford Arboretum - one of the largest collection of trees and shrubs in the country.
Broadway Tower Country Park - home to the renowned printing press of Sir Thomas Phillips
Bourton House Gardens - Built on monastic lands, Bourton House, its Brewhouse stables and coach house have created a courtyard since the late 16th century.
Chastleton House - one of the finest and most complete Jacobean houses in England, with scenic gardens and a topiary that are truly Jacobean and Elizabethan in style.
Cotswold Falconry Centre - To educate people about birds of prey, in order to promote a greater understanding.

TOWNS NEAR MORETON IN MARSH

Blockley, Broadway, Chipping Campden , Stow-on-the-Wold

TRANSPORT LINKS

Moreton-in-Marsh is with-in easy reach of London with direct hourly services via Paddington Station, and bus links to the whole of the Cotswold region. For car drivers, Moreton is about twenty miles from junction 10 of the M40. Fifteen miles south of Stratford upon Avon taking the A3400 out of Stratford and then the A429 into Moreton. The town is 28 miles north of Oxford on the A44, 4 miles east of Stow-on-the-Wold taking the A429 and 8 miles south of Broadway on the A44. Visitors to Moreton-in-Marsh can park anywhere in the town without restriction or in the Railway Station.

Moreton in Marsh is served by Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station and Birmingham Airport is approx 32 miles away.