BOTLEY took a rural ride back to the start of the 19th century over the weekend to celebrate its most famous resident with a packed programme of events which rolled the clock back to its heyday as a coaching village.

Radical politician William Cobbett lived in Botley from 1805 to 1820, combining his passion for farming with his role as one of the foremost political journalists of his time.

He described the settlement as "the most delightful village in the world", claiming that Botley had everything that he loved and nothing he hated.

Now, visitors can judge for themselves by taking the new Cobbett Trail, which was officially launched during the William Cobbett Festival Weekend.

Stopping points along the self-guided walk, which follows in the footsteps of the author, have been marked with specially designed plaques.

Weekend visitors were also to reach the spirit of his age by viewing a Cobbett exhibition in Botley's Market Hall, meeting Wellington's troops at the Napoleonic Association camp in Botley Primary School and taking part in a Pride and Prejudice costume parade.

Eastleigh council's tourism chief Cheryl Butler said: "We think there is a real thirst for anything historical. Even if you are not interested in Cobbett, this is a nice little walk that takes you round places he knew and that still exist."