Cowbright: The tiny village of Icomb

back roads always lead to interesting places

The villages of the Cotswolds are only miles apart, so any time we head out with a destination in mind, we end up driving through several other villages to get there. In my mind, the smaller ones have every bit the character of the larger ones.

classic dry stack fences run along roads and separate properties

Icomb is just such a village. It boasts a population of 100 persons, and it is as charming as it can be. As with all Cotswold villages, it has its own church which is still in use.

I chatted for awhile with a very stooped old man out for a walk on his walker. He has lived in Icomb pretty much all his life. I asked if I could take his photo but he declined. However, I think he was as fascinated with me as I was at his village. There are no stores of any kind in Icomb - only houses, the church and the cemetery.

Celtic cross occupies the heart of Icomb

No matter where I look, there is charm! Below is the Vine Cottage, a very nice home with grapevines covering a large part of the front of the house, with grapes hanging and just beginning to turn.

front door, Vine Cottage

close up - flowers below, grapes above

I've always heard the expression "Tom, Dick and Harry" but had no idea of it's origin. Well, it seems that Icomb was the home of the original Tom, Dick and Harry Dunsdon, 18th century brothers who hid out in tunnels below the village in order to rob stage coaches and carry out other evil deeds. They were eventually caught and put to death.