The 'unlikely influencer' exploring the Cotswolds

"I've seen views of the Cotswolds that nobody's seen for 30 years."

Robin Shuckburgh has been exploring the region since he was a boy, touring medieval churches with his brother.

He said the buildings had been completely open back then and they could climb the spiral staircases up on to the roof, taking in the beautiful views.

Now, in his 70s, Mr Shuckburgh calls himself "an unlikely influencer" as he brings stories from all corners of the Cotswolds to life through his YouTube channel, The Cotswolds Explorer.

The channel was set up eight years ago and so far has accumulated about 6.5 million views.

But Mr Shuckburgh, who lives in Bampton, Oxfordshire, said he did not become The Cotswold Explorer until he formed an "unusual partnership".

He met producer Ross Arrowsmith on the set of a food and drink show and together they created the channel.

"He was 19 at the time and I was already 70 years old, so when I say I am an unlikely influencer, that's the main reason why."

He said he had been thinking of retiring but had found the new opportunity "extremely psychologically satisfying".

"We've travelled some of the most beautiful country in the world and I think that's why it seemed such a good idea."

Mr Shuckburgh said they had seen the channel grow "substantially" over the past couple of years.

"We now have just over 67,000 subscribers all over the world and several million views a year.

"It's changed my life, to a degree, because I go out into the Cotswolds now with Ross and wherever we go, we are recognised and treated with enormous kindness."

He said his dogs Gizmo and Widget, who are often featured in the videos, were "much loved all over America".

"We read all our comments and they have been universally terrific."

Mr Shuckburgh said their filming process started by looking to see if the place they are visiting has a church.

"Because churches are sort of core to the Cotswold villages and it helps us to give us an anchor," he explained.

The channel's first feature-length film, Stars of the Cotswolds, was recently released.

It features Broadway in Worcestershire, Chipping Camden, Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury in Gloucestershire, Burford in Oxfordshire, and Castle Combe in Wiltshire.

"I just love Burford, I love the way it hides in the valley," Mr Shuckburgh said.

"You can drive along the A40 and not even know it was there - the only thing you see is the church spire.

"It's an extraordinary and incredible place."

Mr Shuckburgh said they were "keen" to offer their films to Cotswold hospitality businesses.

"We invite them to use our films by embedding them in their websites and social media.

"Let’s promote the area and grow our local businesses."

Their next project is a series on the great country homes of the Cotswolds, starting with Stanway House in Gloucestershire.

"That series I think is going to be absolutely wonderful."

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