This blog is aimed at those who are interested in the history of the Cotswolds region, which takes in parts of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

The focus is on social history, investigating case studies and using local archives to unearth the fascinating stories of past Cotswold residents.

I aim to also include photos, videos and original research that may help others who’d like to find out more about their Cotswold ancestors.

This blog is written by Nell Darby, a freelance journalist and social historian based in the area. My particular interests are in gender, poverty and criminal history, and I am currently studying for a PhD in gender and crime in eighteenth-century rural England.

If there’s anything you’d like me to look at in particular, please contact me at nell [dot] darby [at] hotmail [dot] com.