Every Christmas, we escape the frenetic pace of outer London and descend upon the Cotswolds to visit friends and family. It’s a cherished ritual where we gather together to enjoy cosy chats around roaring open fires.

As our family grows, accommodating everyone under one roof has become a challenge.

With the family home bursting at the seems, some of us sought refuge at The Stag in Stow, a traditional country pub with rooms in the idyllic town of Stow-on-the-Wold.

Staying apart from the main household allowed us to socialise with fellow travellers, and it was during a casual bar conversation that I stumbled upon an intriguing fact. Stow-on-the-Wold may have been a muse for J.R.R.Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

A prime example of where the myth stems from can be found at St. Edward’s Church. With an ancient door framed by yew trees, its a dead ringer for “Doors of Durin” from The Fellowship of the Ring.

While there’s no concrete proof of Tolkien’s presence there, the church doors and surrounding countryside is strikingly similar to his legendary descriptions.

Tolkien had an affinity for the English landscape, and the undulating hills and historic allure of the Cotswolds could well have shaped his depiction of Middle-earth, especially the Shire.

Alice Loxton, historian and writer, has stirred the imaginations of Britain with her latest TikTok video, in which she refers to the location as “one of the most famous doors in Britain.”

In her video she shares the history behind the renowned yew trees, estimated to be over 300 years old.

Despite my numerous trips to the Cotswolds in past years, I was blissfully unaware of its enchanting connection to Middle-earth.

We visited just a few days before Christmas and found the town transformed into a festive wonderland, with Christmas markets, lights, and decorations.

Settling in to soak up the holiday spirit in this quaint setting, we enjoyed strolling through the streets, stopping for steaming hot coffee in cosy cafes.

I happily pottered around the towns famous Scott’s of Stow store, hankering after my very own country idyll to fill with exquisite china and posh-looking cushions, before joining the queue in The Cotswold Chocolate Company to buy fancy confectionary.

Being just a short drive from another stunning Cotswold town, we also paid a quick visit to Bourton on the Water to check out the famous floating Christmas tree and enjoy a spot of last minute shopping.

Laurie Lee’s Cider With Rosie is also believed to reflect the idyllic countryside spirit, even though it’s set in nearby Gloucestershire.