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Home , Cheltenham, Cotswold Way, Dowdeswell Reservoir, Hailes Abbey, Hidcote Manor Garden, Leckhampton

Explore the by public transport

l Places to see, things to do l Bus and train route maps l Great taster days out l National access points and route plan 2012

Save money with our new Cotswolds Discoverer bus and rail ticket - see page 8

Check out our new online timetables at: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk Enjoy the Cotswolds This is the thirteenth issue of this popular and widely acclaimed series of ‘Explore the Cotswolds’ guides. Published by the Cotswolds Conservation Board, they are designed to promote sustainable transport for visitors and the local community, using the network of trains and rural buses that serves most of the Cotswolds throughout the year.

NEW online timetables accompany this guide covering the northern, central and southern parts of the Cotswolds, which can be viewed at: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

Most of the Cotswolds can be reached using public transport, and travelling by bus and train is a great way to see more of the beautiful countryside and fascinating towns and villages of this area.

The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is the largest of 46 AONBs in , and Northern covering 2,038 sq km/787 sq miles and is the second largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District National Park.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board works to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Cotswolds as well as to increase understanding and enjoyment of the area. The Board’s Voluntary Wardens organise a programme of free guided walks throughout the area – look out for details in the Cotswold Lion newspaper or visit: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk.

The area attracts visitors all year round and is a fascinating place to explore. Charming villages, historic towns, impressive churches and rolling countryside. It is ideal for walking, cycling and riding with a mixture of short, circular and long distance paths, country roads and bridleways.

Look out for locally produced goods including a wide range of food which you can buy from farmers’ markets and farm shops. You can choose from many local arts and crafts, and visit historic churches, country houses and glorious gardens.

Further information: visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk for full details of walking, cycling and visiting the Cotswolds including downloadable routes, guided walks and events listing.

Cotswolds Conservation Board , GL54 3JH Tel: 01451 862000 Fax: 01451 862001 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk Places to see, things to do This is a list of just some of the places to see and things to do in and around the Cotswolds AONB, when travelling by public transport. Contact Visitor Information Centres (listed in this guide on the final fold in page), or the place you want to visit, for more details including opening times. Find out more about attractions, places to visit and things to do in the Cotswolds AONB by visiting www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

These symbols are used on the following pages – Parks/gardens Special interest Historic house/building

Museum Ancient site

Refreshments Toilets Restaurant Gift/plant shop National Trust Wheelchair access Limited wheelchair access

Colours of number circles relate to areas of the AONB and timetable information pages on www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk – Northern area Central area Southern area Numbers within circles refer to locations shown on maps.

1 Kiftsgate Court Garden – The gardens at Kiftsgate Court offer a wonderful combination of vivid colour and heady scent in the summer borders, gentle white blooms in the tranquil sunken garden, and a pretty four- square garden edged with box. The gardens were planted in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries and continue to evolve. The bluebell wood is a breathtaking sight in early May. Getting there: nearest train station – Moreton-in- Marsh. Take the 21/22 bus, alight at Mickleton. 4.8km/3 mile return walk to the gardens. www.kiftsgate. co.uk , Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 438777.

2 Wellington Aviation – This small museum is dedicated to those who served or passed through RAF Moreton-in-Marsh, on the RAF bomber command courses. Memories are kept alive with the vast range of artefacts from the war years and beyond. Propellers and wheels are lined up outside the building, along with a casing tail section showing the Barnes Wallis designed geodetic structure responsible for the aircraft’s strength and ease of repair. Many ex-personnel call today for information on those who served there over sixty years ago. The museum has numerous prints for sale including a view of the market square on Normandy Embarkation day 1944. Getting there: 21/22, 23, 801 or 855 bus, alight at Moreton-in-Marsh. www.wellingtonaviation.org Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01608 650323.

1 3 Hidcote – Hidcote Manor Garden has its origins in the Arts and Crafts movement and is regarded as one of the most influential gardens of the 20th Century. It is designed as a series of outdoor rooms divided by clipped hedges and walls. Each area has its own character, whether devoted to a particular species, colour or mood, or as a profusion of cottage-style planting. Getting there: 21/22 bus, alight at Mickleton. 4.8km/3 mile return walk to the gardens (route is uphill and steep). www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 438333. ©NTPL/Paul Harris

4 Court Barn Museum – A celebration of the talented designers and craftspeople who have worked in Chipping Campden and the north Cotswolds since the beginning of the twentieth century. This is a story of the Arts and Crafts movement and its legacy. Find out how a small town became a gathering place for designers and craftspeople of national and international reputation, including C.R. Ashbee, Gordon Russell, Hart Silversmiths and Robert Welch. Events and exhibitions are held throughout the year. Getting there: 21/22/ 608 bus, alight at Chipping Campden. www.courtbarn.org.uk Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 841951.

5 Mill Dene – RHS recommended. Mill Dene is an ancient Cotswold water- mill surrounded by a 2.5 acre garden. The garden is in a little valley which follows a stream, passing and a grotto on its way. The terraces of the garden start at 500’ and rise to 550’, from a Rose Walk passing a tiny cricket lawn to the Herb garden at the top. The village Church is the back drop to the garden. Lunches and teas can be enjoyed by the mill pond watching the trout and the kingfisher. Getting there: 21/22 bus, alight at Blockley. www.milldenegarden.co.uk Moreton-in- Marsh, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 700457.

6 Sezincote House and Gardens – www.sezincote.co.uk Bourton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 700444.

7 Broadway Tower – www.broadwaytower.co.uk Broadway, Worcestershire. Tel: 01386 852390.

2 Gloucestershire- Railway – www.gwsr.com 8 Toddington, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 621405.

9 – www.english-heritage.org.uk , Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 602398.

10 Winchcombe Folk and Police Museum – www.winchcombemuseum.org.uk Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 609151.

11 Winchcombe Railway Museum and Gardens – www.winchcomberailwaymuseum.co.uk Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 609305.

12 – www.sudeleycastle.co.uk Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 602308.

13 Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection – www.cotswold-motor-museum.co.uk Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 821255.

Model Village – www.theoldnewinn.co.uk Bourton-on-the-Water, 14 Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 820467.

15 Birdland Park and Gardens – A natural setting on the with over 500 birds from around the world and the only group of King Penguins in the UK. Flamingos, cranes, pelicans and storks can be seen in this natural water habitat, with over 50 aviaries of parrots, hornbills, kookaburras, ibis and many more. Many form part of European breeding programmes. Visit the Desert House, Discovery Zone, Encounter Zone, Penguin Café, picnic areas, play areas and gift shop. The 2.5 acre Marshmouth Nature Reserve, supported by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, was opened this year. Otters and water voles inhabit the site and over 60 species of bird have been recorded. Get involved with special event days such as: Feed a Penguin/Keeper for the Day/Bird of Prey Days/Reptile Awareness Days/Meet a Keeper. Getting there: Alight at Bourton-on-the-Water via the 801 or 855 bus. A five minute walk. www.birdland.co.uk Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 820480.

16 Bourton Model Railway – www.bourtonmodelrailway.co.uk High Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 820686.

3 17 Dragonfly Maze – Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 822251.

Blenheim Palace – The 18 birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill – a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh. See gilded state rooms and the elegant Long Library. The Palace is set in 2,100 acres of spectacular parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and surrounded by sweeping lawns and formal gardens. Getting there: Take the S3 bus to the gates of Blenheim Palace on Hensington Road in Woodstock. Please ask the driver to identify the appropriate stop. The bus runs every 30 minutes. www.blenheimpalace.com Woodstock, . Tel: 0800 849 6500.

19 Cathedral – A warm welcome awaits you at . This glorious sacred space has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,300 years. It is one of the finest medieval buildings in the country, the burial place of royalty and the city’s main heritage attraction. Trace 1,000 years of architectural styles from Norman through Perpendicular to the present day, including magnificent , royal tombs, and the spectacular medieval fan-vaulted cloisters. Getting there: Take the 12/91, 14, 852 or 853 bus, alight at Gloucester. www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk College Green, Gloucester. Tel: 01452 528095.

Holst Birthplace Museum – The 20 museum is a memorial to Holst, one of England’s most respected composers, best known for his work . The story of the man and his music is told alongside a fascinating display of personal belongings including his piano. It is one of only two composer birthplace museums in the country (the other being Elgar’s). Visitors may learn more of Holst’s life, his music, his family and friendships, whilst being reminded of domestic life at the end of the 19th Century. See website for opening hours. Getting there: located in the centre of which has many regular bus services. www.holstmuseum.org.uk Clarence Road, Cheltenham. Tel: 01242 524846.

The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash – www.thebirdpark.co.uk Cranham, 21 Gloucestershire. Tel: 01452 812727.

4 22 Rococo Garden – The sole surviving garden in the English Rococo style. Planted as a flamboyant pleasure garden in the 1740s the garden has been the subject of a remarkable restoration project. It features long vistas, geometric patterns and intriguing architectural garden structures. The woodland is carpeted with a spectacular display of snowdrops early in the year. Electric assist bikes available for hire to explore the surrounding Cotswolds countryside: www.painswickpedals.co.uk Getting there: Take the 46 bus, alight at Painswick. Just north of Painswick opposite Golf Course Lane, just off the Cotswold Way www.rococogarden.org.uk Painswick, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01452 813204.

Chedworth Roman Villa – www.nationaltrust.org.uk , 23 nr Northleach, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 890256.

24 Keith Harding’s World of Mechanical Music – www.mechanicalmusic.co.uk High Street, Northleach, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 860181.

25 Bibury Trout Farm – One of Britain’s oldest, and certainly most attractive, trout farms, spanning 15 acres in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Cotswolds, the Coln Valley. Children will delight in seeing the trout leap out of the water in their quest for food thrown by visitors – be careful not to get splashed! In the summer, our ‘Catch Your Own’ fishery is an ideal opportunity for the more adventurous of all ages to catch some supper or try a new hobby. A large variety of other wildlife can be seen – cygnets and ducklings are a very popular sight. Getting there: Take the 860, 861, 865 or 866 bus to Bibury, stops right outside. www.biburytroutfarm.co.uk Bibury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01285 740215.

26 Cotswold Woollen Weavers – www.naturalbest.co.uk Filkins, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01367 860491.

27 Corinium Museum – www.cotswold.gov.uk/go/museum , Gloucestershire. Tel: 01285 655611.

16 5 28 Cirencester Park – www.cirencesterpark.co.uk Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01285 640410.

29 Chavenage House – www.chavenage.com , Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 502329.

30 Tetbury Police Museum – www.visittetbury.co.uk/police-museum Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 504670.

31 – Britain’s largest water park with 140 lakes – lakeside nature walks, , bird watching, cycling, angling, sailing and swimming. Call into the Gateway Centre for local information and maps. Open 7 days a week. Getting there: 51/151 bus. Alight at South Cerney. www.waterpark.org Tel: 01793 752413.

Westonbirt Arboretum – www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt 32 Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 880220.

33 Abbey House Gardens – www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk Malmesbury, . Tel: 01666 822212.

– 34 Athelstan Museum www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 829258.

Malmesbury Abbey – www.malmesburyabbey.com 35 Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 826666.

Dyrham Park – www.nationaltrust.org.uk , nr , 36 Wiltshire. Tel: 0117 9372501.

Chippenham Museum – www.chippenham.gov.uk 37 Chippenham, Wiltshire. Tel: 01249 705020.

38 Bath - Roman Baths – www.romanbaths.co.uk Tel: 01225 477785.

39 Prior Park Landscape Garden – www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bath. Tel: 01225 833422.

40 Barton Farm Country Park – www.wiltshire.gov.uk Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. Tel: 01225 713425.

6 Cotswold Way National Trail

The Cotswold Way National Trail has 16 places where it is practical to start and finish your walk using public transport from nearby towns and covers just over 100 miles of quintessentially English countryside. The illustration below shows how the Cotswold Way is split across three areas in this booklet and on the new online timetables at www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk. Days out and short break information sheets for the trail are downloadable at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Cotswold basing yourself in Bath, or Cheltenham, starting from and returning to these places.

9.6km/6 miles CHIPPING CAMPDEN BROADWAY 10.5km/6.5 miles

WOOD STANWAY 8.8km/5.4 miles WINCHCOMBE

Northern area CLEEVE HILL 9km/5.6 miles 8.9km/5.5 miles 7.6km/4.7 miles RESERVOIR 9km/5.6 miles PAINSWICK 13.9km/8.6 miles area Central 12.6km/7.8 miles KING’S STANLEY

11.6km/7.2 miles

DURSLEY 11.8km/7.3 miles

WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE 11.9km/7.4 miles

HAWKESBURY UPTON

Southern area 12.4km/7.7 miles

TORMARTON 10.6km/6.6 miles

COLD ASHTON 16.5km/10.2 miles

BATH

7 TASTER DAY OUT – by bus/on foot A trip across the North Cotswolds Public transport makes it possible to spread an enjoyable and busy day across several centres in the north Cotswolds. Getting there: Allow a full day to give you adequate time to take in three to four towns and villages interlinked by the 801 and 855 services operated by Pulhams Coaches (www. pulhamscoaches.com). This service is included within the Cotswolds Discoverer ticket – see www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/discoverer for more information. Attractions: Each town is individual and offers plenty to do. Walk: Circular walk of 7.3km/4.5 miles. Allow two hours. Easy with some stiles. Refreshments: Wide choice in main towns.

THE Cotswolds Discoverer It’s just the ticket! Discover the beauty and attractions of the Cotswolds by bus and by train – and save money too!

From just £10, you can enjoy unlimited* Tickets can be bought travel by bus and rail around the Cotswolds at any UK rail station and on participating – one of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. bus services. Adult 1-day: £10 (£8.30 with Railcard) * not valid on rail services before 08.50, Adult 3-day: £25 (£20 with Railcard) Mondays to Fridays Half price for under 16s

www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/discoverer

8 WHAT YOU’LL SEE ON YOUR JOURNEY: You could start with coffee and a wander through Moreton-in-Marsh with its wide main street and pretty back lanes. Visit on a Tuesday and you have the added draw of a rich and lively market. The oldest building is said to be the 16th-century Curfew tower which rang out over the High Street nightly until 1860 to remind people of the risk of fire. A scenic bus ride gives the option to hop off in Stow-on-the-Wold or to carry on to Bourton-on-the-Water. The Windrush flowing through the centre makes Bourton the “Little Venice” of the Cotswolds, with ample shopping opportunities, coffee stops and eateries. Things to do include a model of the village as it was in 1937, a perfume factory, plus Birdland park and gardens. The surrounding countryside begs to be walked. The Jubilee Walk route suggested here takes you through the Greystones Farm Nature Reserve, allowing you via superb interpretation aids, to trace a story that stretches back 6,000 years when dense woodland was first cleared as pasture. Pressure for modern farming methods has been substantially resisted and you can enjoy glorious early summer flowers. The walk takes in the timeless village of with its long village green, pretty duck pond and church where composer was resident organist at the age of 17. Back past the old Rissington corn mill, then skirt round lakes created by gravel extraction which are now popular for fishing and bird watching. A final short bus hop takes you on to Northleach. Once famous across Europe as a vibrant centre for the Cotswolds wool trade, it has a fine 15th century church built with stone from the local quarry, with carvings and memorial brasses telling the story of benefactors made rich by sheep. A collection of small independent shops offers everything from fresh bread and cakes, to specialist wines, fine quality meats and cheese. There are even dolls houses and music boxes in this calm little treasure of a town. For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”. See Northern area rail and bus timetables online at: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/discoverer www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

9 TASTER DAY OUT – on foot Miles without stiles Badminton: woodland and parkland One of a series of Cotswolds walks to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Walk the Duke of Beaufort’s estate, across a grassy airstrip and past castellated barns and cottages. 7.5km/4.5 miles. Allow 2.5 hours. Grade: a gentle climb and descent of 60m/200ft but parts may be muddy. Getting there: bus no. 41 (Andybus & Coach), frequent daily service between Malmesbury and . Alight at Badminton (near ). Attractions: two very small castles, the distinctive Slait Lodge, Little Badminton church, Badminton Park estate and deer park and Park Pond, amongst a wealth of other sights. Refreshments: Drinks, ices and snacks can be purchased at Badminton village post office where you start your walk (closed on Sundays). WHAT YOU’LL SEE ON YOUR JOURNEY: Begin at the post office and take the road out of the village towards Little Badminton. Pass the distinctive Slait Lodge, walk alongside the wood and towards a distant black and white barn. It is the hangar of the landing strip used for the Badminton Horse Trials, held every spring. Climb briefly and head onto a signed bridleway – this takes you to Seven Mile Plantation. Go through trees, follow a permissive bridleway, pass bird boxes and in spring a wealth of woodland flowers. Go past a farm and head into Little Badminton. The churchyard is large but the church is small. Follow round the rough green and an old dovecote, past a small pumping station. Just before Upper Slait Lodge head into Badminton Park. It is a deer park so dogs should be on a lead. Carry on up the hill and you’ll see Park Pond, with a glimpse of the big house beyond. Approaching a lodge with a crest, carry on between stables and farm buildings to the estate office, and then head back to the post office.

For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”. See Southern area rail and bus timetables online at: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

10 Taster day out – on foot A walk from Marshfield Marshfield is one of those often unexplored villages in the south Cotswolds where turning off the main road for a well earned break in the small centre can be really rewarding – and a great opportunity for a walk. Getting there: bus no. 635 (Faresaver) regularly operates between and Chippenham – see the Southern timetable pages of escapetothecotswolds. org.uk, visit www.traveline.org.uk or call 0871 200 2233. Attractions: An historic village where all the stone houses in the High Street are over 100-years- old and with parish church from the Middle Ages. Walks – 4km (2.5 miles), 5.6km (3.5 miles) or 7.2km (4.5 miles). Easy in the town, steep in places beyond. Refreshments: Take a break at one of the popular local inns or at the Sweet Apples tea shop. WHAT YOU’LL SEE ON YOUR JOURNEY: The A420 by-pass that skirts Marshfield gives it an essentially peaceful High Street with a small selection of local traders – everything from a homewares shop to householders offering free range duck eggs. Start at the church which was restored in the 1880s to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Admire in particular some 130 hassocks made by villagers over a period of ten years. Going west, you will pass the old National School which was built in 1861, and eight almshouses dating from the early 1600s and incorporating a small chapel. From here, you can follow bridleways south down the picturesque valley and take your pick from return journeys to give you total walking distances of about 4km (2.5 miles), 5.6km (3.5 miles) or 7.2km (4.5 miles). If you want to go a bit further outside the village, you might be tempted by two establishments that have earned it wide fame. Marshfield Bakery (near the M4) sends its speciality cakes and biscuits across the UK and beyond, and has a shop. The nearby family-run Marshfield Ice Cream might tempt you with 26 flavours all produced from its own dairy herd. But farm visits need to be organised in groups so ring first (01225 891221). You can also buy your ice cream in the village. For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”. See Southern area rail and bus timetables online at: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

11 Northern bus routes D ]] ]]] ] ]] ]]] ]]] ]] ]]] ] ] Frequency ]] ]]] ] ]]] ]]] ]] ]]

Oxfordshire Oxfordshire

Pulhams Coaches Stagecoach Oxfordshire Swanbrook Coaches Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel Stagecoach Oxfordshire Stagecoach Oxfordshire Pulhams Coaches Stagecoach Castleways Operator Stagecoach RH Transport RH Transport RH Transport Pulhams Coaches Veolia Transport/Astons Castleways Stagecoach in Warwickshire ]] R egular (buses every one to three hours per day) Ascott-under-Wychwood Cirencester/Kemble Charlbury Gloucester Moreton-in-Marsh Carterton Cheltenham Chipping Norton Evesham Milton-under-Wychwood Milton-under-Wychwood Chipping Norton Willersey 18

-upon-Avon Chipping Norton Moreton-in-Marsh Oxford Stratford-upon-Avon Oxford Banbury Cheltenham Moreton-in-Marsh Milton-under-Wychwood Willersey Cheltenham Route Charlbury Witney Stratford Cheltenham

]]] F requent (one or more buses per hour per day)

(route extension - Sundays only)

tra i ns X8 855 50/50A S3 527 853 21/22/23 S1/NS1/S2/NS2 233 233 488/489 540 559 606 801 BUSES C1 X9 15 I nfrequent (three or less buses per day) D = Also operates as a demand responsive service at times 6 Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: ] For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk 12 4 5 Blockley 7 TO CIRENCESTER 11 12 28 Cirencester Park – www.cirencesterpark.co.uk Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01285 640410. Northern bus & train route map 29 Chavenage House – www.chavenage.com Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 502329. For the latest timetable information and route Buses and trains maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk to Worcester

30 Tetbury Police Museum – www.visittetbury.co.uk/police-museum Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 504670. Moreton-in-Marsh Broadway An ancient market A beautiful village, town with a wide market street 31 Cotswold Water Park – Britain’s typical of the area. largest water park with 140 lakes Charles II and – lakeside nature walks, trails, Cromwell rested at the Lygon Arms bird watching, cycling, angling, 4 sailing and swimming. Call into the Gateway Centre for local 7 information and maps. Open 7 days a week. Getting there: 51/151 Blockley Chipping Norton bus. Alight at South Cerney. 5 An old wool town with 17th Century stone buildings. Look out www.waterpark.org for the Guildhall windows with Tel: 01793 752413. Stow-on-the-Wold Highest of the 6 their Tudor origins. Beautiful Cotswold towns church – St Mary’s 11 with an impressive Westonbirt Arboretum – www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt 32 market square Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 880220. 12 Warden’s Way and The 33 Abbey House Gardens – www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk Malmesbury, Windrush Way Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 822212. Two excellent walks between Charlbury Winchcombe and Bourton- A rural town, small on-the-Water museum. Brunel railway Athelstan Museum – www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk station. Once a centre of 34 the glove making industry Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 829258. 15

Malmesbury Abbey – www.malmesburyabbey.com 18 35 Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 826666.

Bourton-on-the- Northleach Water Dyrham Park – www.nationaltrust.org.uk Dyrham, nr Chippenham, An ancient wool town. Beside the River 36 Wiltshire. Tel: 0117 9372501. Some cottages date Windrush with its from the 17th Century. five bridges Beautiful wool church TO CIRENCESTER Chippenham Museum – www.chippenham.gov.uk 37 Chippenham, Wiltshire. Tel: 01249 705020.

38 Bath - Roman Baths – www.romanbaths.co.uk Tel: 01225 477785. Key 3 Hidcote Gloucestershire- 12 Sudeley Castle 16 Bourton Model Railway 8 Warwickshire Railway 39 Prior Park Landscape Garden – www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bath. Access to the Cotswold 4 Court Barn Museum Cotswold Motoring 17 Dragonfly Maze Tel: 01225 833422. Way National Trail 9 Hailes Abbey 13 Museum and Toy 5 Mill Dene Garden Collection 18 Blenheim Palace 1 Kiftsgate Court Garden 10 Winchcombe Folk and 6 Sezincote House and Police Museum 14 Model Village 40 Barton Farm Country Park – www.wiltshire.gov.uk Bradford-on-Avon, 2 Wellington Aviation Gardens Wiltshire. Tel: 01225 713425. Winchcombe Railway Birdland Park and 7 Broadway Tower 11 Museum and Garden 15 Gardens

6 13 14 Taster day out – on foot Tetbury town and country It’s hard not to be tempted by all that historic Tetbury has to offer. This walk takes in both the elegant town and a swathe of the lush surrounding countryside. Getting there by bus: easily accessible by bus no. 881 (Cotswold Green) from Cirencester or bus no. 29 (Cotswold Green) from Yate – see the Southern timetable pages of escapetothecotswolds.org.uk, visit www.traveline.org.uk or call 0871 200 2233. Attractions: An old woollen town noted for its architectural interest and dominated by one of the tallest spires in the country. Walk: 5.7km/3.5 miles. Allow two hours. Grade: easy with short climbs and some stiles. Refreshments: A wide selection of offerings in Tetbury. What you’ll see on your journey: The walk starts in the centre of the town at the local icon, the Market Hall which dates from 1655 and has served as a market place, fire station and gaol. On its roof is a cupola containing a bell surmounted by a weather vane featuring a pair of dolphins which has become the unofficial coat of arms for the town. Take in the wider atmosphere of the town with its distinctive curving streets and fascinating Jacobean and Elizabethan facades by diverting briefly down Long Street. The Tetbury Police Museum is worth a visit. Back on the walk route, you will come to old weavers’ cottages along the graceful flight of Chipping Steps where the unemployed used to offer their services at Mop Fairs. Striking out on the walk route past allotments into open countryside takes you steadily upwards to a point where you can best appreciate the graceful spire on the parish church which dates from medieval times and was beautifully restored in the 1990s. If you have more time to spare, Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south of Tetbury and has one of the largest collections of trees and shrubs in the world. For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”. See Central and Southern area rail and bus timetables online at: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

15 15

For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk bus routes bus Central

Buses Route Operator Frequency 12/91 Gloucester Stagecoach in Gloucester ]]] 14 Gloucester Stroud Stagecoach in Gloucester ]]] 20 Stroud Stagecoach in the Cotswolds ]]] 40 Stroud Wotton-under-Edge Cotswold Green ]] 46 Cheltenham Stagecoach in Gloucester ]]] 51 Cheltenham Cirencester/ Stagecoach in Swindon ]]] 54/54A Stroud Cirencester Cotswold Green ]] 74/77 Swindon /Cirencester APL Travel ]] 93 Cirencester Malmesbury Andybus ]]] ]]

16 210 Dursley Cam & Dursley Station Cotswold Green 224 Bristol Dursley Mikes Travel ]] 309/310/311 Bristol Dursley First in Bristol ]] 504 Wotton-under-Edge Stroud Stagecoach in the Cotswolds ]] 801 Cheltenham Moreton-in-Marsh Pulhams Coaches ]] 852 Gloucester Cirencester Pulhams Coaches ]] 853 Oxford Gloucester Swanbrook ] 854 Cirencester Yanworth/Winson Pulhams Coaches ] 855 Bourton-on-the-Water Kemble Pulhams Coaches ]] 865 Lechlade Cirencester APL Travel ] 881 Cirencester Tetbury Cotswold Green ] Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: ]]] Frequent (one or more buses per hour per day) ]] Regular (buses every one to three hours per day) ] Infrequent (three or less buses per day)

Trains 5 17 Dragonfly Maze – Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 822251. Central bus & train route map Blenheim Palace – The 18 birthplace of Sir Winston For the latest timetable information and route Churchill – a masterpiece maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk TO WORCESTER of English Baroque architecture, designed by Frequent trains and buses between Gloucester and Sir John Vanbrugh. See Cheltenham gilded state rooms and the elegant Long Library. The Palace is set in 2,100 acres of spectacular An ancient wool town on parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and surrounded by sweeping the River Windrush. Visit the lawns and formal gardens. Getting there: Take the S3 bus to the gates of Norman and Gothic church. Tolsey Museum of local Blenheim Palace on Hensington Road in Woodstock. Please ask the driver Painswick history in the 16th Century to identify the appropriate stop. The bus runs every 30 minutes. Queen of the merchants’ meeting place www.blenheimpalace.com Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Tel: 0800 849 6500. Cotswolds – 15th Century church with 99 yew 21 24 trees. Originally 23 Gloucester Cathedral – A warm a wool town and 19 Bibury centre for cloth welcome awaits you at Gloucester Visit Arlington Row, a group dyeing 22 Cathedral. This glorious sacred of 17th-Century weavers’ space has been a place of Christian houses. Exceptionally worship for over 1,300 years. It is beautiful church, part Saxon one of the finest medieval buildings in the country, the burial place of 25 royalty and the city’s main heritage attraction. 26 Trace 1,000 years of architectural styles from Norman through Perpendicular to the present day, including magnificent stained glass, 27 royal tombs, and the spectacular medieval fan-vaulted cloisters. Getting 28 there: Take the 12/91, 14, 852 or 853 bus, alight at Gloucester. www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk College Green, Gloucester. Tel: 01452 528095.

Cirencester Holst Birthplace Museum – The Capital of the Cotswolds 20 museum is a memorial to Holst, 29 and the second largest city one of England’s most respected TO MALMESBURY in Roman Britain. Visit the Corinium museum. Fine composers, best known for his work parish church, the largest in The Planets. The story of the man Gloucestershire. Cirencester and his music is told alongside Park has 3,000 acres of Tetbury parkland, woodland and a fascinating display of personal Busy, charming old farms belongings including his piano. It is wool town. Antiques one of only two composer birthplace centre, specialist museums in the country (the other cheese shops being Elgar’s). Visitors may learn more of Holst’s life, his music, his family and friendships, whilst being reminded of domestic life at the end Key of the 19th Century. See website for opening hours. Getting there: located 19 Gloucester Cathedral 23 Roman Villa 27 Corinium Museum in the centre of Cheltenham which has many regular bus services. Access to the Cotswold Way National Trail www.holstmuseum.org.uk Clarence Road, Cheltenham. Tel: 01242 524846. 20 Holst Birthplace Museum 24 Keith Harding’s World of 28 Cirencester Park Mechanical Music Access to the 21 The Bird and Deer Park, 29 Chavenage House National Trail Prinknash 25 Bibury Trout Farm The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash – www.thebirdpark.co.uk Cranham, 21 Gloucestershire. Tel: 01452 812727. 22 Painswick Rococo Garden 26 Cotswold Woollen Weavers

4 17 18 Taster day out – by bike Northleach Hazleton on and off-road This cycle ride takes you around the high wold with its open fields and secret valleys. It also dips down into the upper Leach and Coln valleys giving you both contrasting landscapes and good descents, plus ascents too! Please try to get to it on your bike if possible. 5.63km/16.5 miles, shorter mini ride also available. Grade: varied - sections on and off road, can be muddy when wet, with good ascents/descents. Getting there: easily accessible by bus no. 801 or 855 (Pulhams Coaches) or 853 (Swanbrook) although you will need to double check if they are happy to carry bicycles – see the Central timetable pages of escapetothecotswolds.org.uk, visit www.traveline.org.uk or call 0871 200 2233. Attractions: Escape to the Cotswolds discovery centre, open fields, secret valleys, great views, bridleways, woods, dry stone walls and some great off roading. Refreshments: many excellent places to eat, drink and rest along the way. You can cover a fair bit of ground in a ride and still find the secret places inaccessible to cars and public transport. It’s also great fun! You may find you have to get off for short stretches.

Please wear a helmet and be aware of changing conditions. Off-road riding is much easier in frozen or dry conditions than when the mud is wet, but not necessarily more fun! Riding a bicycle is permitted on public roads, byways, restricted byways and bridleways but not footpaths, please be considerate of other users.

What you’ll see on your journey: A circular route, starting from the ‘Escape to the Cotswolds’ discovery centre at the Old Police Station, Northleach, passing through Turkdean, , , Hazleton, , Yanworth and back to Northleach. There is a shorter mini loop by taking a cut through on a restricted byway between Turkdean and Hazleton which is not only a good ride in its own right, but it creates an almost completely off road ride when combined with the northern loop.

For detailed downloadable map and directions, visit: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on ‘Cycling & Riding’. See Central area rail and bus timetables online at: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

19 Southern bus routes ] ]] ]] ]]] ] ]]] ]] ]]] ]] ]] ]] ]] ] ]] ]]

Cotswold Centre for Voluntary Services Cotswold Green Andybus Stagecoach in Swindon Faresaver Wessex Connect AD-Rains Coaches Andybus Cotswold Green Mikes Travel Wessex Connect Wessex Connect Faresaver Faresaver Cotswold Green ]] R egular (buses every one to three hours per day) Tetbury/Stroud Malmesbury/Yate Cirencester/Swindon Marshfield Wotton-under-Edge Chippenham Cirencester Cam & Dursley Station Dursley Bath Dursley Chippenham Tetbury

]]] F requent (one or more buses per hour per day) Tetbury Yate Swindon Cheltenham Bath Yate Malmesbury Chippenham Dursley Bristol Old Sodbury Bristol Wick Bristol Cirencester Route B uses 27 29 41 51 79 84/86 91 92/93 210 224 620 626 634 635 881 T ra i ns I nfrequent (three or less buses per day) ] Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk 19 20 3 3 Hidcote – Hidcote Manor Garden has its origins in the Arts and Crafts movement and is regarded as one of the most influential gardens of the 20th Century. It Southern bus & train route map is designed as a series of outdoor rooms divided by clipped hedges and walls. For the latest timetable information and route Each area has its own character, whether maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk devoted to a particular species, colour or mood, or as a profusion of cottage-style planting. Getting there: 21/22 bus, alight Dursley Tetbury at Mickleton. 4.8km/3 mile return walk to Busy Busy, charming the gardens (route is uphill and steep). with good walking old wool town. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote opportunities and on Antiques centre, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. the Cotswold Way specialist cheese Tel: 01386 438333. shops

©NTPL/Paul Harris 31

Wotton-under-Edge Court Barn Museum – A celebration of the 30 4 A busy town and former centre talented designers and craftspeople who for the woollen industry. have worked in Chipping Campden and Heritage centre the north Cotswolds since the beginning of the twentieth century. This is a story of the Arts and Crafts movement and its legacy. Find out how a small town became TO SWINDON a gathering place for designers and craftspeople of national and international 32 Westonbirt reputation, including C.R. Ashbee, Gordon Year round Russell, Hart Silversmiths and Robert delight from Welch. Events and exhibitions are held 33 34 bluebells in throughout the year. Getting there: 21/22/ 35 the Spring to Autumn fire 608 bus, alight at Chipping Campden. in the maple www.courtbarn.org.uk Chipping glade Campden, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 841951.

Key 5 Mill Dene – RHS Access to the Cotswold Way recommended. Mill Dene is National Trail an ancient Cotswold water- 36 Access to the Thames Path mill surrounded by a 2.5 acre National Trail garden. The garden is in a little valley which follows a stream, 37 30 Tetbury Police Museum passing willows and a grotto 31 Cotswold Water Park on its way. The terraces of the garden start at 500’ and rise to 32 Westonbirt Arboretum 550’, from a Rose Walk passing a tiny cricket lawn to the Herb 33 Abbey House Gardens garden at the top. The village 34 Athelstan Museum Church is the back drop to the garden. Lunches and teas can be enjoyed by the mill pond watching the trout and the kingfisher. Getting there: Frequent buses and 35 Malmesbury Abbey 21/22 bus, alight at Blockley. www.milldenegarden.co.uk Moreton-in- trains between Bristol Marsh, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 700457. and Bath 36 Dyrham Park 38 37 Chippenham Museum Bradford-on-Avon Bath Sezincote House and Gardens – www.sezincote.co.uk Attractive riverside Roman Baths 6 A beautiful 38 Bourton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 700444. 39 town. Ancient bridge city and World over the Avon. Historic 39 Prior Park Landscape Garden Heritage site – visit Tithe Barn Prior Park with its 40 Barton Farm Country Park 7 Broadway Tower – www.broadwaytower.co.uk own bus link Broadway, Worcestershire. Tel: 01386 852390. 40 2 21 22 Gateways to the Cotswolds by bus, train & coach Places to see, things to do For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk This is a list of just some of the places to see and things to do in and around the Cotswolds AONB, when travelling by public transport. Contact Visitor Information Centres (listed in this guide on the final fold in page), or the place you want to visit, for more details including opening times. Find out more about attractions, places to visit and things to do in the

D Cotswolds AONB by visiting www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk ]]] ]]] ]] ] ]] ]]] ]] ]] ]] ] ]] ]] ]] ]] ]]] Frequency ]] ]] ]] ]]] ]]] ] ]] ] ]]] ]]] ]]]

These symbols are used on the following pages – Parks/gardens Special interest Historic house/building

Museum Ancient site

Refreshments Toilets Restaurant Gift/plant shop National Trust Wheelchair access Limited wheelchair access

Colours of number circles relate to areas of the AONB and timetable information pages on www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk –

Northern area Central area Southern area Numbers within circles refer to locations shown on maps.

1 Kiftsgate Court Garden – The gardens at Kiftsgate Court offer a wonderful Operator Veolia Transport First Wyvern Pulhams Coaches Andybus Stagecoach in Swindon APL Travel Mikes Travel Wessex Connect Cotswold Centre for Voluntary Services Cotswold Green Cotswold Green Castleways Pulhams Coaches Stagecoach in Gloucester Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel Pulhams Coaches Stagecoach in Warwickshire Stagecoach Oxfordshire RH Transport Stagecoach in Warwickshire Swanbrook Coaches RH Transport Stagecoach Oxfordshire Stagecoach Oxfordshire RH Transport Castleways ]] R eg u lar (buses every one to three hours per day) combination of vivid colour and heady scent in the summer borders, gentle white blooms in the tranquil sunken garden, and a pretty four- square garden edged with box. The gardens were planted in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries and continue to evolve. The bluebell wood is a breathtaking sight in early May. Getting there: nearest train station – Moreton-in- Marsh. Take the 21/22 bus,

Cheltenham Evesham Cirencester Malmesbury/Yate Bourton-on-the-Water Cirencester/Cheltenham Lechlade/Cirencester Dursley Old Sodbury Tetbury Cirencester Dursley Broadway Dursley Moreton-in-Marsh Cheltenham Stratford-upon-Avon Carterton Milton-under-Wychwood Stratford-upon-Avon Gloucester Chipping Norton Milton-under-Wychwood Charlbury Milton-under-Wychwood Evesham alight at Mickleton. 4.8km/3 mile return walk to the gardens. www.kiftsgate. co.uk Chipping Campden,

Gloucestershire. Route E xpress Tel: 01386 438777. ]]] F re qu ent (one or more buses per hour per day) London Victoria Coach Station/Heathrow to Bath via Chippenham London Victoria Coach Station/Heathrow to Cheltenham, Gloucester and via Cirencester Evesham Worcester Swindon Kemble Swindon Swindon Bristol Bath Old Sodbury Stroud Cam & Dursley Stn Cheltenham Gloucester Gloucester Stratford-upon-Avon Moreton-in-Marsh Coventry Oxford Chipping Norton Banbury Oxford Witney Witney Oxford Charlbury Willersey 2 Wellington Aviation – This small museum is dedicated to those who served or passed through RAF Moreton-in-Marsh, on the RAF bomber command courses. Memories are kept alive with the vast range of artefacts from the war years and beyond. Propellers and wheels are lined up outside the building, along with a casing tail section showing the Barnes Wallis designed geodetic structure responsible for the aircraft’s strength and ease of repair.

Many ex-personnel call today for information on those who served there

over sixty years ago. The museum has numerous prints for sale including NX 403 NX 444/NX445 Bu ses FROM W orcestershire 540 550/551 559 855 FROM WILTSHIRE 41 51 74/77 FROM BRISTOL, BATH AND S U RRO NDING AREAS 224 620 27 FROM GLO U CESTERSHIRE 54/54A 210 606 852 12/91 T rain S LONG DISTANCE COACHES – NATIONAL FROM WARWICKSHIRE 21/22/23 801 16/X17 FROM OXFORDSHIRE S1/NS1/S2/NS2 X8 50/50A 853 X9 233 S3 C1 a view of the market square on Normandy Embarkation day 1944. Getting there: 21/22, 23, 801 or 855 bus, alight at Moreton-in-Marsh. www.wellingtonaviation.org Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. I nfre qu ent (three or less buses per day) D = Also operates as a demand responsive service at times Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: ] Tel: 01608 650323.

23 24 1 Enjoy the Cotswolds Gateways to the Cotswolds by bus, train & coach

This is the thirteenth issue of this popular and widely acclaimed series of For the latest timetable information and route ‘Explore the Cotswolds’ guides. Published by the Cotswolds Conservation maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk Board, they are designed to promote sustainable transport for visitors and the local community, using the network of trains and rural buses that serves most of the Cotswolds throughout the year.

NEW online timetables accompany this guide covering the northern, central and southern parts of the Cotswolds, which can be viewed at: Trains to/from Birmingham New Street, Birmingham www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk Snow Hill and Hereford Trains to/from Birmingham Moor Most of the Cotswolds can be reached using public transport, and travelling Street and Birmingham Snow Hill by bus and train is a great way to see more of the beautiful countryside and fascinating towns and villages of this area.

The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is the largest of 46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland covering 2,038 sq km/787 sq miles and is the second largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District National Park.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board works to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Cotswolds as well as to increase understanding and enjoyment of the area. The Board’s Voluntary Wardens organise a programme of free guided walks throughout the area – look out for details in the Cotswold Lion newspaper or visit: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk.

The area attracts Trains to/from Birmingham visitors all year round New Street and Bristol and is a fascinating place to explore. Charming villages, historic towns, impressive churches Trains to/from and rolling countryside. Cardiff Central It is ideal for walking, cycling and riding with a mixture of short, Bibury circular and long distance paths, country Trains to/from London Paddington, Birmingham roads and bridleways. New Street, Reading and Look out for locally Southampton produced goods including a wide range of food which you can buy from farmers’ markets and farm shops. You can choose from many local arts and Trains to/from crafts, and visit historic churches, country houses and glorious gardens. , Cardiff, Birmingham Further information: visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk for full details and London of walking, cycling and visiting the Cotswolds including downloadable routes, Paddington guided walks and events listing.

Trains to/from London Paddington and Bristol Cotswolds Conservation Board Fosse Way, Northleach Key Gloucestershire GL54 3JH Access to the Cotswold Way Trains to/from Bristol Temple National Trail Tel: 01451 862000 Fax: 01451 862001 Meads, London Paddington, Email: [email protected] Weymouth, Dorchester and Yeovil Access to the Thames Path Website: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk National Trail Enjoy the Cotswolds Visitor Information Centres Information centres in and around the Cotswolds can provide details about cycle hire, horse riding, guided coach and walking tours, caravan and campsites and other accommodation. Note: some smaller centres may close during the winter months and in some instances queries are handled by the local authority.

Banbury Tel: 01295 753752 Moreton-in-Marsh Tel: 01608 650881 Bath Tel: 0906 711 2000 (calls charged at 60p per minute) Nailsworth Tel: 01453 839222 Bourton-on-the-Water Oxford Tel: 01865 252200 Tel: 01451 820211 Painswick Tel: 07503 516924 Bradford-on-Avon Tel: 01225 865797 (Summer only) or 01453 760900 Broadway Tel: 01386 852937 Stratford-upon-Avon Tel: 01789 268826 Burford Tel: 01993 823558 Stroud Tel: 01453 760960 Cheltenham Tel: 01242 522878 or 01453 760900 Chippenham Tel: 01249 665970 Stow-on-the-Wold Chipping Campden Tel: 01451 870150 Tel: 01386 841206 Tetbury Tel: 01666 503552 Chipping Norton Tel: 01993 813276 Tel: 01684 855040 Chipping Sodbury Tel: 01454 888686 Winchcombe Tel: 01242 602925 Cirencester Tel: 01285 654180 Witney Tel: 01993 775802 Evesham Tel: 01386 446944 Woodstock Tel: 01993 813276 Gloucester Tel: 01452 396572 Wotton-under-Edge Malmesbury Tel: 01666 823748 Tel: 01453 521541 Youth Hostels Hostels are located in Bath, Oxford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Stratford- upon-Avon. For full details contact the Youth Hostel Association, tel: 0870 870 8808, website: www.yha.org.uk The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Natural Outstanding of Area Cotswolds The An difficulties resulting from the use of the information in this guide. this in information the of use the from resulting difficulties or delays losses, accidents, for responsibility no accept can Board Conservation Cotswolds the but booklet this in information the of accuracy the ensure to made been has effort Every Turner Nick copyright images: cover front inside & cover Front Holidays, Bank and Saturdays to Wednesdays October, to April Open Northleach. at A429 the on Prison Old The in Located Beauty. Natural Outstanding of Area Cotswolds the for centre discovery the Cotswolds’, the to ‘Escape Visit landscape. outstanding an it make villages captivating and woods grasslands, rolling walls, world. the across people by loved and known England, of areas beautiful most the of one is Cotswolds The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Natural Outstanding of Area am to 11am WORCESTER Tel: GL54 Gloucestershire Northleach, Way, Fosse Board, Conservation Cotswolds Website: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk Website: [email protected] Email: pm. FREE admission. FREE 4pm. 01451 Fax: 862000 WINCHCOMBE ts distinctive golden buildings and stone and buildings golden distinctive Its 01451 -THE-WATER BOURTON-ON 862001 3JH -IN-MARSH MORETON available for: Online information

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