Winchcombe is a small Cotswold town in the Cotswold AONB. The town sits on the Cotswold way as well as on five other long-distance paths and is an ideal base for walking. The town is known for Sudeley Castle, the former residence of Katherine Parr and her place of burial. Hailes Abbey is also a notable landmark as well as St. Peters Church, noted for its grotesques. The town has a population of around 4500 people, holds the Festival of Mime and Arts, has many unique shops and places to eat and drink, as well as having local amenities such as a post office, primary and secondary school (Winchcombe School), a library and its own radio station. The schools are both rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Cheltenham is about 7 miles from the town, a Spa town and the most complete Regency town in England, as well as being credited as the ‘garden town of England’. Cheltenham has renowned independent schools such as Cheltenham Ladies College as well as being home to the University of Gloucestershire and Cheltenham Racecourse.