I was wondering if someone would bring up the little shop in Bourton-on-the-water. As a transplanted Brit living in America, I still have a deep fondness for that town. Any time I actually get to go back and visit family in England, I always make time for a trip to B-o-t-W.
I grew up in the Wotton-Under-Edge/Kingswood/Thornbury area of the Southern Cotswolds. B-o-t-W was a short drive. Good Fish-n-chips, beautiful town, and plenty of little places to see and things to do.
The toy shop itself was one of my favorites. I compare my memories of it to a Hobbit hole or something. little doorways and many little paths. Had a good Scalextric selection way back when, but I always had to see the train layouts. They weren't/aren't the best done layouts ever, the scenery isn't perfect. But they are perfect in their own little way. Unlike most train layouts (especially those in the US), most of the tracks were just a big circle, so you could sit and watch them all day. A definite spectator bonus. But best of all, many of the trains could be started with a button. This kept kids, myself included up to present day, engaged and fascinated.
Sorry to bring this off topic a little bit, but that town, and that shop have a giant place in my heart. Now that I'm "settled down" and have a son, I look forward to bringing the new family to England for the first time, and you can bet Bourton-on-the-Water will be one of the first stops.
pup
I grew up in the Wotton-Under-Edge/Kingswood/Thornbury area of the Southern Cotswolds. B-o-t-W was a short drive. Good Fish-n-chips, beautiful town, and plenty of little places to see and things to do.
The toy shop itself was one of my favorites. I compare my memories of it to a Hobbit hole or something. little doorways and many little paths. Had a good Scalextric selection way back when, but I always had to see the train layouts. They weren't/aren't the best done layouts ever, the scenery isn't perfect. But they are perfect in their own little way. Unlike most train layouts (especially those in the US), most of the tracks were just a big circle, so you could sit and watch them all day. A definite spectator bonus. But best of all, many of the trains could be started with a button. This kept kids, myself included up to present day, engaged and fascinated.
Sorry to bring this off topic a little bit, but that town, and that shop have a giant place in my heart. Now that I'm "settled down" and have a son, I look forward to bringing the new family to England for the first time, and you can bet Bourton-on-the-Water will be one of the first stops.
pup
