The Cotswold Way
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE COTSWOLD WAY QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLAND THE COTSWOLD WAY - SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR SUMMARY The Cotswold Way explores the quintessential English countryside of the Cotswolds. A beautiful green landscape of rolling farmland, quiet woods and picturesque villages all steeped in history. You will enjoy a series of breath-taking views as you follow this national trail. Your walking tour begins in the charming old wool merchants town of Chipping Campden, home of the annual Olimpick Games. Heading south you pass through a succession of enchanting English villages, featuring typical Cotswold cottages, historic houses, welcoming country pubs and inviting shops. The trail twists and turns through the countryside and you will enjoy expansive views, stumble across Neolithic sites and be surprised by elegant village churches. Journey’s end is the City of Bath, brimming with things to see and do. Designated a World Tour: The Cotswold Way Code: WESCTS2-5 Heritage Site by UNESCO, Bath’s Roman Baths and fine architecture will be a highlight of Type: Self-guided walking tour your journey. Price: see website Single Supplement: see website Dates: April - October Days: 7-12 HIGHLIGHTS Nights: 6-11 Start: Chipping Campden Finish: Bath Enjoying expansive views of England’s most beautiful landscape Distance: 102 miles (163km) Wandering through the quiet lanes of picturesque Cotswold villages Grade: Easy to Moderate Enjoying the warm and friendly atmosphere of a Cotswold country pub Discovering the abbeys, historic houses, ruins and history of the area IS IT FOR ME? Soaking in the newly refurbished Roman Baths after walking 102 miles. If your idea of heaven is beautiful green countryside, picturesque villages, delicious local food and really getting to know a land- scape and it’s people then you will adore the Cotswold Way. WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED-WALKING TOUR WITH US? Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are WHAT’S INCLUDED? passionate about delivering outstanding walking tour where every last detail is taken care of. Each tour we Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs Adventure you small hotels, country inns and guesthouses. will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included but always Self-guided walking tours are a wonderful relaxed way to experience the Cotswolds. Free to travel at your available at accommodation or nearby. own pace, wander off the beaten track and make your own choices you will discover the beauty of the Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door Cotswolds your way. In the unlikely event you should require emergency support our office is always more baggage transfer. than happy to help. So, from the moment you decide to walk the Cotswold Way you can relax and look Information Pack: Guide book and map forward to an unforgettable walking tour. We hope that you will choose to walk with Macs Adventures as well as a detailed pre-departure soon. information pack. THE COTSWOLD WAY QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLAND and refreshment but those continuing to Leaving the escarpment behind at Hawkesbury DETAILED DESCRIPTION Dowdeswell will enjoy a series of outstanding Upton the rural isolation, small villages and views from the Cotswold escarpment. tranquillity of the walk to Tormarton are to be recommended. Arrive Chipping Campden Dowdeswell to Birdlip—10 miles Tormarton to Bath—17 Miles The town of Chipping Campden is arguably the A short sharp climb from Dowdeswell takes you loveliest of the Cotswold towns and many people back up onto the Wolds were the vistas continue Numerous pleasures await on the final section of choose to stay an extra night in Chipping to impress. The distinctive Devil’s Chimney and the Cotswold Way. The spectacular Dyrham Campden before starting the walk. A two hour ancient site of Crickley Hill are both fascinating. Park, wonderful vistas and the architectural train journey from London to Moreton-in-the- Birdlip village has a traditional country inn. delights of Bath make for an unforgettable finale Marsh and 6 mile taxi or bus ride brings you to your Cotswold Way walk. easily to the start of your holiday. Birdlip to Painswick—9 miles Bath Chipping Campden to Stanton—10 A predominantly woodland walk which delights at miles any time of year, but especially the spring when A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of wild flowers abound. You pass Coopers Hill, the England’s most popular destinations the City of Leaving the honey coloured architectural beauty site of the famous annual cheese rolling festival, Bath will surprise and delight you. We of Chipping Campden behind you climb before arriving in the delightful Painswick. An recommend adding an extra night in Bath. A fast immediately onto the escarpment where Dover’s elegant town which grew prosperous from the and frequent train service can return you to Hill and then Broadway Tower reward with fine cloth trade. London in 1.5 hours. views. The tearooms of Broadway are a welcome diversion before heading back into the hills. The Painswick to King’s Stanley—8 idyllic village of Stanton welcomes you at the end miles of the section. A sublime section of the Cotswold Way. Ancient Stanton to Winchcombe—7 miles woodlands, rural tranquillity and vast panoramas combine to deliver walking heaven. Stanley Mill Tearing yourself away from the beauty of Stanton on the edge of King’s Stanley once employed you soon reach the hamlet of Church Stanway. 1000 people and is an early example of fireproof The ornate gatehouse of Stanway House construction. distracts from the climb to Stumps Cross which follows. The Iron Age hill fort Beckbury Camp King’s Stanley to Wotton-Under- and medieval Hailes Abbey are both of interest Edge—14.5 miles before you reach the hustle and bustle of A series of short sharp ascents and descents, Winchcombe. This small town was once an Neolithic burial chambers and Iron Age hill forts important Saxon settlement and it’s folk museum quickly eat up the six and a half miles to Dursley. and the gargoyles of the Church of St Peter are Climbing steeply back to the scarp edge Tyndale of interest. Monument is the main point of interest before Winchcombe to Dowdeswell—11 reaching Wotton-Under-Edge. A lovely stop miles which blends old and new. The scenic and historically interesting six mile Wotton-Under-Edge to Tormarton— stretch takes you to Cleve Hill. The magnificent 15 miles Sudeley Castle is soon followed by a Roman The first eight miles through valleys to Villa and Belas Knap, a huge Neolithic burial Hawkesbury Upton is filled with mills and chamber. streams which serve as reminders of the woollen Cleeve Hill offers comfortable accommodation trade which was once so important. THE COTSWOLD WAY QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLAND THE COTSWOLD WAY ITINERARIES ITINERARY: WESCTS4 TRIP INFORMATION You can choose to walk the full 102 miles of the Cotswold Way in anything from eight to ten days. 11 Days and 10 nights Accommodation To get the most from your time in the Cotswolds Average Daily Distance: 11.3 miles One of the highlights of this tour is the high we would recommend taking eight or nine Grade: Easy - Moderate walking days to complete the trail. Alternatively, if standard of the accommodation. You will stay in carefully selected B&B’s, guesthouses, country you are short of time then you may choose to Day Route Miles split the walk up and do either the North or South pubs and small hotels. A delicious breakfast is always included. section, meaning you can return later to do the 1 Arrive Chipping Campden other half! 2 Walk to Stanton 10 3 Walk to Cleeve Hill 13 Single Rooms 4 Walk to Seven Springs 8 If you require single rooms within your party we ITINERARY: WESCTS2 5 Walk to Painswick 12 6 Walk to King’s Stanley 8 will always try and accommodate you subject to 9 Days and 8 nights 7 Walk to Wotton-Under-Edge 15 availability. A single supplement is payable. Average Daily Distance: 14.6 miles 8 Walk to Old Sodbury 13 9 Walk to Cold Ashton 9 Solo Walkers Grade: Moderate 10 Walk to Bath 10 11 Onward Travel This walking tour is available to solo walkers but Day Route Miles as we incur additional baggage transfer costs Total Distance 102 their is a solo walker supplement payable. 1 Arrive Chipping Campden 2 Walk to Stanton 10 3 Walk to Cleeve Hill 13 Meals 4 Walk to Birdlip 16 ITINERARY: WESCTS5 5 Walk to King’s Stanley 17 A hearty breakfast is included each morning. 6 Walk to Wotton-Under-Edge 15 Lunch and dinner are not included. Most of your 7 Walk to Tormarton 15 12 Days and 11 nights accommodation will be more than happy to 8 Walk to Bath 17 provide a packed lunch on request. Dinner is 9 Onward Travel Average Daily Distance: 10.2 miles Grade: Easy - Moderate available either at your accommodation or at Total Distance 102 nearby pubs or restaurants. Day Route Miles Additional Nights ITINERARY: WESCTS3 1 Arrive Chipping Campden The Cotswolds are so engaging and there is so 2 Walk to Stanton 10 much to do that we strongly recommend 10 Days and 9 nights 3 Walk to Winchcombe 7 extending your holiday. Chipping Campden and Average Daily Distance: 12.8 miles 4 Walk to Dowdeswell 11 Bath are both excellent locations for an extra Grade: Moderate 5 Walk to Birdlip 10 6 Walk to Painswick 9 night. 7 Walk to King’s Stanley 8 Day Route Miles 8 Walk to Wotton-Under-Edge 15 Painswick is a delightful market town and is 9 Walk to Old Sodbury 13 perfectly located for a half way break.