Inside Cotswolds shop used by Jeremy Clarkson and former PM

Dubbed as one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the spot encompasses multiple counties, including Oxfordshire.

People travel from all corners of the globe for holidays in the Cotswolds, while others move permanently from overseas and now call it home.

With its stunning architecture from village churches to honey stone cottages and its breathtaking natural views, it’s safe to see why the area is so popular.

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Tim Widdows at No.5 Market Street. (Image: Newsquest)

One particular Cotswolds town which continues to crop up on tourists’ radars is the ever-charming Charlbury.

Located between the equally impressive quartet of Witney, Woodstock, Burford, and Chipping Norton, many use it as a base for travelling the area.

From Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm and his Farmer’s Dog pub to the stupendous Blenheim Palace, there is plenty to see nearby.

But that simple oversight overlooks Charlbury itself, which packs one hell of a punch for a small town.

Hospitality spots such as The Bull, a Michelin‑rated pub‑restaurant on Sheep Street, and The Bell, a seventeenth‑century coaching inn, have helped drive year‑on‑year interest in the town.

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Inside No.5 Market Street at Charlbury. (Image: Newsquest)

The former was even named as the best pub in the entire country last year by the National Pub & Bar Awards.

There is also a delightful deli and a couple of beautiful churches to look around, all mapped out on quintessential winding Cotswolds streets.

One stop each visitor to the town should make alongside all of this is to No.5 Market Street, which can be found across the road from The Bull.

Ran by Tim Widdows, the shop was previously named Cotswold Frames, reflecting his primary trade, which he still performs at the store today.

“I’m mainly a picture framer, but we sell lots of nice gifts and pieces as well at the shop,” he said.

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Inside No.5 Market Street at Charlbury. (Image: Newsquest)

“With The Bull and The Bell bringing in lots of Londoners and other tourists, the name gives nothing away, and they have to walk through the door and come and have a look!”

Tim, who grew up in Charlbury, has had a shop there for 20 years this month, having been across the road for the initial three years before moving to the current building in 2009.

“It’s the best thing that I’ve ever done, ” he added.

“Charlbury is a nice town. I mean, it’s a very sleepy town nowadays, but it’s gradually picking up again, I feel.

“On weekends, it can be like walking through London here with so many people milling about, so that’s good for business.

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Tim Widdows at with his best-selling baby slippers. (Image: Newsquest)

“I know a few locals not overly keen on the parking situation, but that’s Charlbury for you, but for the shop, it’s really helped.”

Tim believes that one key reason for Chalrbury’s newfound popularity is its geographical location in relation to what’s nearby.

“People tend to use this as a base because we are a good spot for visiting all the local places around us.

“Burford, Woodstock and Blenheim Palace are all nearby, and obviously Jeremy Clarkson’s farm, Diddly Squat, is up the road.

“Everyone needs somewhere to stop, and a lot of people choose Chalbury because it’s in close vicinity to the camping nearby and has lots of Airbnbs dotted about.

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Inside No.5 Market Street at Charlbury. (Image: Newsquest)

“We also have the train station, which is a big draw for those who come for the day from London.

“You can normally tell the people because they’re in the nice white plimsoles to go on a walk in the muddy Cotswolds.

“When they stop in, and I chat to them, they usually say they’re here for the day and have a meal booked in The Bull or Bell.”

The shop owner stocks a wide variety of gift items alongside his framing services, but one item in particular regularly flies off the shelves.

“Picture framing pays the bills, but come Christmas, the gift side of the business takes over,” revealed Tim.

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Inside No.5 Market Street at Charlbury. (Image: Newsquest)

“The best seller in the house is the Longhorn Cow slippers for babies, with a pair setting you back £16.

“Everybody seems to know someone’s expecting, and if they do buy them for someone else, we try to make sure that the baby has a photo taken wearing them and framed.

“That way, their folks can embarrass them later down the line when they get married!

“We’ve also got our own candle range named after my dog Darcy, which is made just outside Bath.

“They all have nice scents, which don’t smell like her, thankfully!”

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No.5 Market Street at Charlbury. (Image: Newsquest)

Charlbury has become a celebrity hotspot in recent years, with Sir David Beckham, Amanda Holden, and former Vice President Kamala Harris all visiting The Bull.

It is safe to say that Tim has had his fair share of famous faces through his shop’s door, including a former Prime Minister.

“Over the years, we’ve had both David Cameron and Jeremy Clarkson, who both obviously live locally, to name a few,” he said.

“A lot of celebrities live around these parts, including Ben Kingsley, so yes, it’s a really nice area.”

You can find Tim at No.5 Market Street in Charlbury from 10am until 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.