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A weekend with walks AT A GLANCE

n Stay in a cosy cottage or B&B in Fairford n Walk along the River Coln n Visit St Mary’s Church n Explore the Cotswold Water Park’s nature reserves n Enjoy myriad water sports at the Cotswold Water Park n Visit the Royal International Air Tattoo

Leisurely walks and watery The Coln is a slow and lazy river Walking around Fairford and activities… offering delightful walks in quiet Water Park: countryside. A walk along the river may The town of Fairford sits on a lovely provide a glimpse of a kingfisher, swan, Fairford Heritage Trail approx 2 miles stretch of the River Coln between little grebe, brown trout or even a shy – This circular walk takes in the Cirencester and Lechlade. It owes its water vole. historical sites of the town including fortune to its location on the old London Fairford Mill, Oxpens and St Mary’s to Gloucester coaching route. Some of Fairford is most synonymous with the church. Available to buy from Fairford the inns and hotels hark back to this Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) Town Council, High Street. period. which takes place each July. This is the world’s largest military air show and River Coln Walk approx 2 miles – A Fairford Mill, the Oxpens, Market Place one of the UK’s premier outdoor level circular walk from the Market and High Street, lined with beautiful events, offering something for the Place along the tranquil banks of the Grade II listed buildings, are all part of whole family. River Coln. Features in Fairford & the town’s attraction. As with so many Lechlade Walks booklet, from Fairford Cotswold towns, Fairford’s great glory The Cotswold Water Park dominates Town Council. is the parish church of St Mary’s. This the south of the Cotswolds and offers fine ‘wool church’ has Britain’s only all sorts of water-based activities, as Fairford to Lechlade Southern Route complete set of medieval stained glass well as walking, cycling and wildlife- approx 6 miles – This linear walk windows – 28 in all. spotting. It even has its own beach. follows the River Coln across meadows Despite its size, it’s a well-kept secret, and passing the lakes of the Cotswold based around 150 lakes in 40 square Water Park. Return by bus, or by the miles.

The Great

Outdoors

www.cotswolds.com Fairford and Cotswold Water Park

5.5 mile Northern Route. Features in Fairford & Lechlade Walks booklet, from Fairford Town Council.

The following walks are from the Cotswold Water Park Walks Guide, available to purchase from the Gateway Centre:

Rivers, brooks and lakes approx 3.5 miles (or longer route of 4.5 miles) – This circular walk from Neigh Bridge Country Park highlights the various landscapes of the Water Park in one walk. It heads through woodland, a nature reserve and open meadows along the lakes and the infant River Thames.

Three villages walk approx 8.3 miles - A circular walk passing through three pretty villages of the western Water through the heart of the Cotswold Accommodation that Park, all with their own charm and Water Park. fascinating history. The route follows welcomes walkers the Thames Path National Trail as it Things to do in Fairford wends its way from the source at Lakeview Holidays, Fairford Kemble downstream to London. (self-catering) n Stroll along the River Coln www.lakeviewholidays.co.uk Lechlade Seven Stiles and St John’s n Enjoy the medieval windows of St Lock walks, each approx 2 miles – Mary’s Church Watermark Holidays, Cotswold These two short circular walks explore Water Park (self-catering) n Browse Fairford Market (Weds) the town of Lechlade with its quaint www.watermarkcotswolds.com/stay shops, cafes and pubs. They then n Go sailing or water-skiing at the follow the Thames Path National Trail, Cotswold Water Park Riverside House B&B, Cirencester one heading downstream to St John’s n Ride, fish or bike at the Cotswold www.riversidehouse.org.uk Lock and the other upstream through Water Park meadows. You could join these two walks together to make a larger n Explore nearby Lechlade or Visitor Information circular loop. Cirencester Fairford Town Council, High Street n Visit the Air Tattoo in July 01285 712344 Longer walks: (10am to 1pm Mon to Fri) The Thames Path National Trail – This wonderful 184-mile (294km) walk Cirencester TIC follows the River Thames from its 01285 654180 source near Kemble in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier near Greenwich Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre in London, travelling through some of 01793 752413 the finest countryside, including right Kindly supported by