This brings us to the Arts and Crafts Movement from 1,880 - 1,920’s. English reformer, poet, painter and designer, William Morris, founded a firm of interior decorators and manufacturers dedicated to recapturing the spirit and quality of medieval craftsmanship. Due to Morris’ efforts, he widened the appeal of the Arts and Crafts Movement to a new generation. This movement was not without controversy. The progressives claimed that the movement was trying to turn back the clock, and the Arts and Crafts movement could not be taken as practical in the industrialized society. Fortunately, this period produced many examples in the Cotswolds.
The features included: building with natural materials, wood, stone and brick, porches with stone porch supports, low-pitched gabled roofs with wide eaves, exposed beams, open floor plans, built-in-furniture and light fixtures, and fireplaces that were the symbol of family in the Arts and Crafts movement. Other characteristics were hipped or gabled dormers, wood shingling, and upper roofs extending to cover open porches. Fortunately, there were many, many fine examples of Arts and Crafts structures in the Cotswolds. These locations were in Rodmarton Manor, the Village Hall in Sapperton, the Corn Barn Museum in Chipping Campden, the Tudor Hall in Owlpen, Painswick Lodge, the Holcomb’s House and Gyle Almshouses in Painswick.
ARTS AND CRAFTS - 1880 -1902 - Rodmarton Village and Rodmarton Manor House
Finally, William Morris’s manor house retreat in the Cotswold village of Kelmscott, is not of the Arts and Craft variety, but is a stunning 16th century manor house, and is on the National Heritage List for England.
One final “Thank You” to the many people in the six counties of the Cotswolds for their assistance, guidance and patience. We could not have accomplished this joyful journey without the help of the collective “towns’ libraries, tourist centers, museum directors, and in many instances, local history and architecture experts who were most willing to assist us. Thank you also to the Cotswolds Official Tourist Information Site, the Oxfordshire Heritage Guide, Cotswolds District Council, Cotswolds Visitor Guide, and the British National Trust.
©Emily and Russ Firlik
Emily and Russ Firlik are retired educators. They continue to be active learners as “ slow travelers.” Instead of just passing through, they make the time to uncover the treasures that are in abundance throughout this world.