Arlington Row, 17th-century weavers' cottages in Bibury, England
Arlington Row is a row of limestone cottages with steeply pitched roofs and weathered stone walls, situated beside the River Coln in Bibury. The buildings stand closely together along a cobbled street, creating a unified group of pale stone structures that have remained largely unchanged in appearance.
These structures began as a monastic wool storage building in 1380. By the late 1600s they were converted into homes for weavers working in the local textile trade.
The row shaped how weavers lived and worked in rural England during its heyday. The cottages have become so recognized that they represent English village life in the minds of people worldwide.
You can view the exteriors year-round without restrictions, with parking available near the River Coln bridge just a short walk away. The buildings are easily accessible from the main village road, allowing you to walk around and photograph the facades at your own pace.
An American industrialist tried to purchase and move the entire row to the United States in the 1920s, but local preservation efforts blocked the plan. This attempted removal actually brought more attention to the cottages and strengthened their reputation as a symbol of English heritage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
