Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds, was originally an Iron Age fort. Since the 12th century, this historic market town has hosted numerous fairs, including the Gypsy Horse Fair. The Stow Horse Fair is held twice a year, on the Thursday closest to 12th May and the Thursday closest to 24th October, this is a traditional fair for people to meet up and trade which dates back to 1476 when its Charter was granted; Stow is very busy for a day or two before and after each fair, and a number of shops, pubs and restaurants are closed. as well as craft fairs and a Farmers' Market every month. Market Square is surrounded by a beautiful array of Cotswold stone townhouses with antique shops, tearooms, traditional pubs, award-winning restaurants and a cricket museum surrounded by an ancient cross and the village stocks. Keen ramblers can enjoy many walks and cycle rides throughout the rolling hills of the Cotswolds which is home to the Macmillan Way, Monarch's Way and Heart of England Way all located a stone's throw away from the heart of Stow. If you're looking for an area of outstanding natural beauty, you'll find it here in Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds because of the River Windrush's central role in the village. Moreton-in-Marsh, a Saxon market town, and Broadway, a traditional English village, are both easily accessible and make for an enjoyable day trip. Cheltenham, about 20 miles away, is England's most complete regency town in terms of its architecture. The iconic horse-racing festival is held here in March, it is also a spa town with an incredible variety of shops, theatres and restaurants as well as numerous pubs and restaurants. There are also festivals celebrating literature, jazz, classical music, science, and the culinary arts held here throughout the year. With its 38 colleges (half of which date back to before 1600), the oldest university teaching room, the Bodleian Library, Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers Museums, and Botanic Gardens, Oxford, England's oldest university city, is known as "The City of Dreaming Spires." Stow-on-the-Wold is ideally situated for exploring Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Worcester, and the port city of Gloucester.