Bibury Seasons

All the photographs in the book were taken in and around the village and on two walks. They give the reader a small insight into the village and some its beautiful surrounding countryside throughout the year. They show some of Bibury's most famous views as well as a few lesser known 'nooks and crannies'. These small gems often lie undiscovered by many visitors as they sit in the spectacular shadow of Arlington Row. Bibury sits scattered around the Church of St Mary that dates back to the 8th century. The Saxon period covered a time from the end of Roman Britain and the establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in the 5th century and came to an end in 1066 when William of Normandy came to England and defeated Harold. Some 30 or so years after the Black Death had wiped out almost half of the population and during the rein of Richard II (1377-1399) the world famous timber framed Arlington Row was built (around 1380,) its original use was as a wool store but was then converted into weavers' cottages during the booming 17th century economy. The steep pitch on the roofs are thought to have housed the workers' looms. Today Bibury retains a magical and etherial quality of England past. It seems as if it is woven into the fabric of the village. The quiet tranquility, ancient history and quintessential Englishness of Bibury attracts people from all over the world. William Morris who had a summer retreat nearby described it as surely the most beautiful village in EnglandA". A view which is difficult to argue with, even Hollywood recognised the village as being pure England, and used Arlington Row as part of the mythical village of 'Wall' in the film 'Stardust'. Henry Ford also thought Arlington Row was something of an English gem. Whilst visiting the Cotswolds he attempted to buy the entire row of houses and ship them back to his home in Michigan, and then re-build them so that he could include them in his history theme park. The Gloucestershire Archaeological Trust managed to block this plan and The Row was bought and restored by the Royal Society of Arts. The National Trust subsequently took ownership in 1949. Henry Ford had to make do with a cottage from another Cotswold village.