The Venice of the Cotswolds: Bourton-on-the-Water

 The Cotswolds are renowned for their honey-coloured stone villages and timeless charm, and perhaps the most famous of all is Bourton-on-the-Water. This postcard captures the quintessential beauty of the village, often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" due to the River Windrush flowing through its heart.

Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds

The Image: Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

This multi-view card features four distinct images, each showcasing the village's unique character:

• Top Left: A wide view of the River Windrush flowing past a grassy bank, with ducks on the water and classic Cotswold stone buildings and trees in the background.

• Top Right: The focal point of the village—one of the charming, low stone bridges that arch gracefully over the river. These bridges are the village's signature feature.

• Bottom Left: A quiet path following the bank of the river, framed by blossom trees and stone walls, evoking a serene, pedestrian pace of life.

• Bottom Right: A close-up on the famous honey-coloured architecture of the High Street, featuring prominent bay windows and traditional stone construction, capturing the heart of the village centre.

The images are framed by a stone border, enhancing the Cotswold feel of the entire card.

A Timeless Scene

Without a postmark or message, we can only date this card based on its style, which appears to be a modern colour photograph, likely dating from the 1970s through to the 1990s.

Regardless of the date, the views confirm why Bourton-on-the-Water is such a beloved tourist destination:

• The Stone: The uniform use of the local yellow limestone gives the entire village a warm, harmonious appearance.

• The Bridges: The multiple small, narrow bridges spanning the river create an atmosphere of gentle, historic beauty.

This postcard is a classic piece of British travel memorabilia, perfectly encapsulating the charm of the Cotswolds—a place where time seems to slow down.

Quick note on the lack of a back view here: I aim to digitally preserve all written history, but if a card is completely blank on the reverse, I sometimes skip the scan. This one was all about the beautiful front image!