A family trip to celebrate the season taught me about an other worldy link I never knew existed.
Every Christmas we head out of the hustle and bustle of outer London and make our way down to visit family in the Cotswolds. An annual tradition, we come together to enjoy chilled drinks in front of roaring fireplaces, making memories surround by the majestic beauty of the region.
As new arrivals expand the family ever further, having everyone stay together under one roof is becoming increasingly impossible. With bedrooms bursting in the family home, some of us retreated to The Stag in Stow, a traditional pub with a selection of rooms, set right in the heart of the picture-perfect Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold.
Being away from the family home gave us a chance to mingle with other visitors, and during a quick chat in the bar I discovered something I never knew. Stow-on-the-Wold has a fascinating link to a magical world even more enchanting than the honey-coloured houses of the Gloucestershire countryside.
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The charming Cotswold town is believed by some to have inspired elements of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. The most notable connection is St. Edward’s Church, whose north door is flanked by ancient yew trees, resembling the “Doors of Durin” from The Fellowship of the Ring.
Though there’s no direct evidence Tolkien visited the site, the imagery aligns with his mythic style. Tolkien loved the English countryside, and the Cotswolds’ rolling hills and medieval charm and its timeless quality may have influenced his vision of Middle-earth, particularly the Shire.
Historian and writer, Alice Loxton shared a video on Tiktok, calling it “one of the most famous doors in Britain.” She also outlined the history of the famous yew trees that are believed to be more than 300 years old.
The whole of Stow-on-the-Wold, with its medieval charm, bustling market square, and historical significance, carries a sense of timelessness that fans think fits perfectly with the feel of Toliken’s epic works.
While I have visited the Cotswold many times in recent years, I had no idea it had some a magic connection to Middle Earth.
We visited just a few days before Christmas and found the town transformed into a festive wonderland, with Christmas markets, lights, and decorations. Settling in to soak up the holiday spirit in this quaint setting, we enjoyed strolling through the streets, stopping for steaming hot coffee in cosy cafes.
I happily pottered around the towns famous Scott’s of Stow store, hankering after my very own country idyll to fill with exquisite china and posh-looking cushions, before joining the queue in The Cotswold Chocolate Company to buy fancy confectionary.
Being just a short drive from another stunning Cotswold town, we also paid a quick visit to Bourton on the Water to check out the famous floating Christmas tree and enjoy a spot of last minute shopping.
Laurie Lee’s Cider With Rosie is also believed to reflect the idyllic countryside spirit, even though it’s set in nearby Gloucestershire.
