Explore the Area
Willow Pond, Eckington is a great base from which to discover some wonderful unspoilt English countryside. It is the perfect place to ramble with some wonderful walks right on the doorstep or further afield.
We recommend that you have a car as there are lots of places of interest to visit including stunning National Trust properties, local towns and villages as well as a good smattering of pubs and restaurants. Here are a few suggestions:
Some Places to Visit
Bredon Hill
There really are some superb walks up and around the hill. The tower at the top is intriguing and the views are incredible. We have a good supply of maps and walks to borrow, if you wish.
Rambling and Cycling
There is a good network of footpaths in the area and again we have loads of maps illustrating these for you to borrow if you wish. The area is also very popular with cyclists both ‘on road’ and off road’.
Village Pubs
Eckington has two village pubs, both close to each other: The Bell and The Anchor. Both pubs are just a few minutes walk from Willow Pond.
Other pubs which we would recommend:
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The Inn at Welland. Our favourite place to eat for a treat. Extremely good quality local food with excellent service and friendly staff. 25 minute drive.
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The Jockey, Baughton. Award winning modern country pub and restaurant. 20 minute drive
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The Crown Inn, Kemerton. Traditional country pub which serves good local food. Sunday lunches are very popular. Good atmosphere. Feels like a friendly local. 5 minutes drive. Kemerton is pretty village with some good walks too.
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The Swan at Birlingham. Traditional pub with a reputation for fish. Can be walked to from Willow Pond, across the fields or a 5 minute drive.
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The Queen Elizabeth Inn, Elmley Castle. Good local food. Cosy, Casual. Pretty village. Good base for walks. 15 minutes drive.
Other nearby places of interest include:​
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Broadway: A beautiful and historic Cotswold village with a pretty high street, lined with horse chestnut trees, which includes a mixture of period houses and picturesque honey coloured Cotswold stone cottages which have lured visitors for centuries.
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Broadway Tower: Situated just outside Broadway. The folly was built by the Earl of Coventry and the grounds hold an adventure playground, a collection of rare animals and a restaurant which is housed in a converted Cotswold barn.
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Hidcote Manor:The finest gardens in the country are to be found just four miles outside Chipping Campden. Hidcote is owned by the National Trust.
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Kiftsgate Gardens: Situated next to Hidcote Manor and reputed to be one of its main rivals.
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Snowshill Lavender Farm:Situated in the Cotswold Hills overlooking Broadway and the Vale of Evesham. Started growing Lavender in 2000, and now has 35 different varieties stretching over 53 acres. Gift shop and tearoom serving lavender scones.
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Cheltenham Spa. Busy spa town with some very good restaurants, theatre and home to several annual festivals.
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Stanway House: Privately owned house, five miles south of Broadway.
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Sudeley Castle:A fine privately owned mansion at Winchcombe, which is open to the public.
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Stratford upon Avon:World famous for its Shakespearean connections. Visit the theatres, museums, shops and riverside park. Go boating on the River Avon. Stroll around the Butterfly Farm whatever the weather. Go for a theatrical tour of Stratford with Grimm’s Ghostly Tours. Tour on the Open Top Double Decker visiting ‘Shakespearean’ sites.
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Pershore: A fine Georgian town with all local amenities and an arts centre (No 8) situated on the Avon.
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Pershore Abbey and Abbey Park.
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Croome Park. Owned by the National Trust, dating back to the 18th century was once the home of the Earls of Coventry.
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Dovers Hill:Owned by the National Trust, this has a superb view from which the Black Mountains in Wales can be seen on a clear day. This is the site of the Cotswold Olympics founded by Sir Robert Dover in the 17th Century to keep the locals amused, but was banned in the 19th Century. It now takes place in the first week in June with a torchlight procession down into Chipping Campden following the games. The next day is 'Scuttlebrook Wake'. This is a carnival in Chipping Campden.
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Cathedral City of Worcester.
