Bourton-on-the-Water has a 2000 year history, dating back to the Iron age (The Salmonsbury area of the village).
The Romans settled here around 43 A.D. and occupied the Lansdowne area of the village. About 400 A.D. the Saxons settled in the village and gave it it's now familiar name of 'BURH' (meaning camp) and 'TON' (meaning 
village). "Village by the camp" In 1086 the Doomsday survey mentioned 'Bourton' as a village with 2000 acres, two mills and a Manor House. Bourton-on-the Water spent the middle ages as a prosperous wool trading community, and the majority of farmers were shepherds. Today, Bourton on the Water has a population of over 3,500 but is still classed as a village. There are many attractions for the visitor, most notably the Model Village, which was the first attraction for tourists in the 1950s. Birdland, the Motor Museum (home to BRUM from the TV series), and The Cotswold Perfumery are other places worth visiting and attract thousands of visitors each year. The Model Railway Exhibition is also well worth seeing. There are many Hotels, Pubs and Guest Houses and a wide variety of shops that should keep all the family happy.