The village is on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, some 6 miles from Tewkesbury and 11 miles from Cheltenham. The village has a primary school and is within easy reach of junior and secondary schools together with colleges of further education and the excellent independent Bredon School. Alderton has a population of 500 residents and has a village store/post office, a black and white thatched pub, village hall and playing field. The original village was based around three farms and modern Alderton was developed in the 1960’s and 1970’s with elegantly designed houses and bungalows. Other amenities include allotment gardens and a village baby-sitting service in what is a warm and friendly village. Nearby Tewkesbury has perhaps the best example of a medieval Abbey and architecture in England, retaining its narrow streets and many alleys, it also has all modern amenities such as Tesco supermarket. Cheltenham, with a population of 100,000 people, is the most complete Regency Spa town in England. As well as being credited as the ‘garden town of England’ it is home to many music festivals, is the birth place of Gustav Holst, has an Art Gallery and Museum, in addition to three theatres. Cheltenham has renowned independent schools such as Cheltenham Ladies College and The Boys School as well as being home to the University of Gloucestershire. Cheltenham is an attractive cosmopolitan town with a main line railway station, two modern shopping arcades, branches of major supermarkets and retail outlets, but the jewel is the very elegant Promenade with exclusive designer outlets. In sporting circles, Cheltenham is best known for the Gold Cup horse race held at the Prestbury Park, which is also the venue for regular horse races and many varied exhibitions and events. The local area around Alderton is steeped in history. Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe is where Katherine Parr was confined and is the place of her burial. Stanway House, the home of Lord Nepath, was built as a country retreat for the Bishops of Tewkesbury and has one of the highest gravity-fed fountains in the country.