| The Cotswolds
Harmony Kingdom's U.K. headquarters, Wimberley Mills, is privileged
to be located in one of the most beautiful rural areas in England, the
South Cotswolds. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the
Cotswolds is famous for its honey-coloured stone cottages, grand manor
houses and impressive churches. |
|
The name Cotswolds' refers to rolling hills and broad river valleys.
These wooded hills and valleys are especially suitable for grazing, particularly
for the native Cotswold sheep, which in medieval times were responsible
for the growth of the wool trade. For centuries Cotswold wool was used
in more than half of England's cloth and was exported to the continent,
bringing great wealth to the wool merchants who donated large sums to the
local churches and built themselves magnificent houses.
The river valleys form the setting for the towns and villages, which
nestle snugly amongst the hills. The market town of Stroud is the central
point where the five valleys meet. Cirencester, the capital of the Cotswolds,
was known during Roman times as Corinium Dubonnorum and was the second
largest city in Roman Britain.
Throughout the Cotswolds historic sites are in abundance, as are wildlife
activities. The canal that runs alongside Wimberley Mills was once the
only means of transport, except for the donkey paths that wind their way
down the steep hills. Today the canal acts as an animal reserve. To the
south of Wimberley Mills is Bath, the Georgian spa town, rich in Roman
history. To the north is Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace,
close to Warwick Castle, one of the largest medieval castles in the country.
To the east is the university town of Oxford, city of dreaming spires.
This setting has had great influence on the creators of Harmony Kingdom.
The box figurines share the same reverence towards nature, feeling of antiquity
and subtle colouration as the place in which they are created.
The Cotswolds |
