First of all we are exlporing the reasons why Bride and Grooms pick Gloucestershire for their wedding other than having family ties in the area. Here is a list of all the licensed wedding venues in Gloucestershire.

www.forbetterforworse.co.uk

The Costwolds is home to 85,000 people and has one of the lowest population densities in England with less than 300 residents in over half it's parishes. The Region attracts 38 million visitors a year.

There are many reasons why people are attracted to Gloucestershire, from the beautiful country walks to the idyllic small towns and the tranquillity. There are famous cities such as Gloucester and well-known beautiful towns like Cheltenham and hundreds of delightful villages such as Burford.

Above all, the local honey-coloured limestone, used for everything from the stone floors in the houses to the tiles on the roof, has ensured that the area has a magical uniformity of architecture.

You will see 'Drystone walls' everywhere in the fields. Many were built in the 18th and 19th centuries, a matter of considerable skill as there is no cemnet to hold the walls together. They represent an important historical landscape and a major conservation feature and are of course still used by farmers to enclose sheep and cattle. The larger market towns and villages of the Cotswolds are famous for their shops, such as Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester, Chipping Norton and Tetbury.

Cotswolds - This comes from the name of a man in the 12th century who owned high forest land- he was called Codwald. Also another explanation is that the word 'COT' meant and animal pen (sheep in this instance) or containment and Wolds means rolling hills.

Walking in the Cotswolds countryside is relaxing and a great way to see more. You can enjoy your surroundings at first hand, see the flowers, hear the birds and have time to talk with people you meet. There are some great walks in the Cotswolds, many based in and around the characteristic villages and market towns.

www.cotswold.info/gardens

To explore some of the historic towns in the Cotswolds, why not spend an hour following a town trail taking in the architectural hertiage and history written in stone, before stopping for a drink at a traditional pur ot afternoon tea at a tea-room.

Places to eat: www.sugarvine.com

The Cotswolds is an agriculture area and its food producers have wonderfully tasty wines, fruits, vegetables, the specialty Old Spot Pork and Double Gloucester cheeses.

You are able to buy these from local shops in towns and villages in the Cotswolds. Farmer's markets are also held regulary in many of the market towns in the area, including Stroud, Tetbury and Nailsworth.

Places to Stay: www.booking.com

In the Cotswolds there are some great places to stay, from luxury spas to small beautiful Bed & Breakfasts.

Attraction: www.tonyhowell.co.uk

Westonbirt the National Arboretum is one of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world. An historical collection of over 3,000 different trees and shrub species many of which are rare or endangered in their native lands. Covering six hundred acres, the arboretum is an inspiring place to relax, get back to nature and indulge your senses. The diversity and history that surround Westonbirt and it's tree collection is truly astonishing- with every tree providing a memorable story or link to the past or future.

Some great pictures can be seen on Tony Howell's website of the trees and beautiful atumn colors of the Acers, Maples and many more fascinating trees.

Other popular tourist Favorites:

Gloucester Cathedral - www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Slimbridge - www.wwt.org.uk

National Trusts - www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Berkeley Castle - www.berkeley-castle.com

Bath, in the joining county, is well woth a visit as a world heritage site -

www.visitbath.co.uk

Matara's favourite places to visit:

Pubs

The Bell at Sapperton - www.foodatthebell.co.uk

The Vine Tree at Norton - www.thevinetree.co.uk

The Village pub at Barnsley - www.thevillagepub.co.uk

Restaurants

The Trouble House in Tetbury - www.troublehouse.co.uk

Williams Fish restaurant in Nailsworth - www.williamskitchen.co.uk

Country Hotels:

Barnsley House in Barnsley - www.barnsleyhouse.com

Buckland Manor in Broadway - www.bucklandmanor.co.uk

Lower Slaughter Manor - www.lowerslaughter.co.uk

Funky Places to visit:

Artique in Tetbury - www.artique.co.uk

Hobbs bakery in Nailsworth - www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk

Daylesford Organic farm shop near Stow-on-the- Wold - www.daylesfordorganic.com