Adlestrop

Adlestrop is a village and civil parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It is located about three miles north of Stow-on-the-Wold. The village is known for its association with a poem of the same name by Edward Thomas, written in 1917, which commemorates a moment of quiet contemplation during a train journey through the village at the start of World War I. The poem highlights the serene, idyllic atmosphere of Adlestrop, contrasting with the impending conflict.

The parish of Adlestrop includes the hamlets of Oddington and Maugersbury. The Church of St Peter Adlestrop is a Grade I listed building, with parts dating back to the 12th century. The village itself is small and retains much of its traditional rural character. Adlestrop railway station, which features prominently in Thomas's poem, closed in 1968 as part of the Beeching cuts but has since been a focus of preservation efforts, with a museum dedicated to the railway and local history. The village's peaceful setting and historical significance have made it a point of interest for visitors, particularly those interested in literature and rural English life.