We are just back from a lightning tour of the Cotswolds, the purpose of which was to look the area over and see where we might book a holiday cottage either later this year or early next. We also learned a lesson on this trip, and that is to give even the most unpromising things a fair chance. By deciding to pay the entry price for what looked like very small museums from the outside, they amazed us with how interesting and even vast they were on the inside. I'll come back to the larger of the two (in Evesham) soome other time but first will show you a glimpse of the John Moore museum in Tewkesbury.
Nestled in the shadow of Tewksbury Abbey there is a long row of 15th Century cottages, thankfully saved and renovated because to lose all the buildings of this type would be a real disaster. John Moore was a scholar, writer, poet and naturalist and his museum is amazing. We even bought one of his books, a 1937 1st Edition "The Cotswolds", which was his first love as a subject. To enter the front door of one of these cottages, built in 1410, is an experience in itself.
Inside, all is renovated and small, very small, but over three floors we are treated to a glorious display of all sorts of taxidermy. Ironically, before we realised this I was explaining to the curator how I liked the Victorian glass cabinets full of animals and birds. We then found cases full of such delights, and it seems that taxidermy in the modern world is definitely alive and well. It needs to be made clear of course that the animals are not killed for this purpose.
We then exit via the back of the building and are taken down to a cottage further along the row, which has been laid out in its original form.
The back way in to the medieval cottage
The main living chamber with central fire pit
Looking up above the fire pit, ceiling complete with 15th Century soot
Stairs up to bedroom
Original 1410 timber stairs
And a bedroom for the whole family
All in all, an excellent and interesting experience that gave far more than we expected.
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