Adlestrop and Daylesford, the Gloucestershire villages with a link to Jane Austen.
Yes, I remember... ‘Adlestrop’: Poem by Edward Thomas, written in 1917, shortly before his death at the Battle of Arras. It is based on a railway journey he took on June 24, 1914, during which his train briefly stopped at the now-closed station in the Gloucestershire village.
St Mary Magdalene: Originally 13th century, rebuilt in 1750s, and heavily restored in 1856-60.
Jane Austen: Visited family in Adlestrop , at The Leighs. Mansfield Park is thought to have been inspired by the Old Rectory, Adlestrop House. It’s also thought that Warren Hastings, who owned Daylesford House, may be the character Joshua Rigg in Middlemarch, and Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility.
Grey Geese: The Grey Geese of Adlestrop is a local legend which sees a witch turn a flock of geese to stone on the top of Adlestrop Hill.
Larkswold: Craft and creative workshops are held in the original station master’s house.
St Peter’s Church: Norman church, rebuilt in 1816, and rebuilt again in 1859-63.
Daylesford House: Remodelled by architect Samuel Pepys Cockerell, basing it on a grand house that he had built in India.
JCB: Daylesford House is owned by Lord and Lady Bamford, major shareholders in the JCB excavator company.
Daylesford Organic: Organic farm, shop, restaurant, workshops and retreat.
GWR: Adlestrop Station on the Cotswold Line was opened in 1853 by the OW&W, changed to GWR in 1863, and closed in 1966.
Bus stop: Original station seat and sign from Adlestrop station.
Cricket ground: Adlestrop, Daylesford & Oddington Cricket Club. Two first-class cricketers were born in Adlestrop: Cecil Brownlow Twisleton Wykeham Fiennes (1831-1870) and his brother, Wingfield Stratford Twisleton Wykeham Fiennes (1834-1923).
Lady on Horse: In loving memory of my Mum, Kate Morgan, nee Jameson (1935-2023) who spent her life with horses, working and teaching in the Cotswolds, including Heythrop, Kiftsgate and Oriel Girls’ School.
Cards and prints available via kbmorgan.co.uk
