With its historic links to the River Thames, fairytale-like thatched cottages, and 16th-century inns, it is little wonder that the tranquil Cotswolds village of Kemble has been selected to host a rural royal wedding. On Saturday, 6 June, Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, will marry his fiancée Harriet Sperling in a modest ceremony in Kemble, a civil parish nestled in the heart of Gloucestershire.
A Family Affair in the Cotswolds
The 48-year-old nephew of King Charles currently resides at nearby Gatcombe Park alongside his mother, his sister Zara Tindall, and her family. Meanwhile, Harriet Sperling, a 45-year-old NHS paediatric nurse, grew up in South Cerney, a village located three miles south of Cirencester. The couple will exchange vows at All Saints Church, an Anglican parish church believed to date back to the 11th century. Outside the church stands an ancient yew tree, which according to local legend, was used by Civil War Roundheads to tether their horses.
The Charm of Kemble
Beyond the churchyard, Kemble embodies the quintessential Cotswold village. The civil parish, historically part of Wiltshire, sits four miles southwest of Cirencester, often referred to as the 'Capital of the Cotswolds'. With a population of around 940 residents, the area features a mix of quaint limestone cottages, grand country estates, and a handful of modern builds. Nearly 70 of these homes are owned by a local charitable trust established in 1968, which aims to provide affordable rents and prevent locals from being priced out of the competitive Cotswolds housing market.
A Hub of Transport and Community
Despite its small size, Kemble plays a surprisingly significant role as a regional transport hub. Kemble Railway Station offers direct, fast rail links to London Paddington and Swindon in under 90 minutes, serving as a primary rail gateway for larger surrounding towns like Cheltenham and Gloucester. Just a stone's throw from the station is The Tavern Inn, a restored 16th-century, Grade II-listed pub known for its hearty Sunday roasts and generous selection of draught beers. Visitors can also explore the village's narrow footpaths, shops, cafés, village hall, Post Office, doctor's surgery, and Rural Cinema, or embark on scenic walks through the surrounding countryside.
Historical and Natural Highlights
Kemble is also the closest settlement to Thames Head, the traditional and official source of the River Thames. A short walk to Trewsbury Mead reveals a stone marker indicating where the famous river begins as a tiny trickle of water. Just over a mile outside the village lies Cotswold Airport, formerly RAF Kemble, which famously served as the home base for the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic display team. Today, it operates as a space for private aviation, events, and commercial airliner recycling. Long-standing traditions are maintained across the village, such as the annual Kemble Fête held in the historic grounds of Kemble House.
The city of Gloucester, renowned for Double Gloucester cheese and its annual cheese rolling event, is a 32-minute train ride from Kemble, while the affluent town of Cheltenham, home of jump racing, is 35 minutes away by rail.
