Cotswold Way Circular Walks

1 Mile

4. and Belas Knap

This scenic and interesting Watching for traffic, turn left little walk takes you from the and head up the lane until the Winchcombe B4078 delightfully unspoilt town of Cotswold Way branches off Start Winchcombe, along Cotswold through a wide gate on the right. 1 Follow this access road, past the Way routes old and new, Almsbury and up to one of the area’s cricket ground on the right, until 2 Farm most intriguing ancient a fingerpost guides you through a kissing gate on your left. Head monuments, Belas Knap - y A combination of history on up through the middle of the Wa old 7 and scenery that will leave rolling green fields towards the B4632 you eager to discover more woods at the top of the hill. Cotsw of the National Trail and 3 The kissing gate at the top is the inspirational landscape an excellent spot to rest awhile and through which it runs. take in the wonderful views over Chipping Campden the town behind you. Once you’ve Wadfield Distance: Cor Grove 5¼ miles caught your breath, go through the Winchcombe ndean Lane (Shorter route 3½ miles) gate and leave the Cotswold Way to head right up the road. (If you Duration: don’t fancy the last climb up to Belas 3 - 4 hrs (Shorter route: 2 - 3 hrs) Knap, follow the Cotswold Way path through the woods and cross over the Difficulty: Bath Moderate, some steep sections stile to take up the route on the road and stiles at point 5). Bearing right at the Wadfield road junction you will climb steadily 3 Public transport: 5 6 Farm No. 606 bus from to pass Hill Barn Farm on your (See the ‘Explore the Cotswolds’ right. Soon after turn left at the public transport guide or visit fingerpost to rejoin the Cotswold www.traveline.info) Way and head towards the mound of Belas Knap rising up at the far Humblebee Cottages Start/Finish: side of the field. Grid reference SP024282 (OS Explorer sheet OL45) 4 This Neolithic , Postcode GL54 5LL or burial chamber, is surrounded by Hill Barn many myths and legends. The first Farm 4 Refreshments: 1/2 Mile recorded excavation took place Several excellent pubs and cafes in 1863, and since then hundreds in Winchcombe. of human bones have been road to the right for a quarter of thousand years of royal history and uncovered, some of which date a mile until you reach a turning on some of the most magical gardens 1 Start at the war memorial back over 6,000 years. It is one your left. Follow this track, the old in the country. Continue to follow on Abbey Terrace, opposite the of the most intriguing and iconic route of the Cotswold Way, down the waymarked path downhill, Plaisterer’s arms. Facing the pub, structures in the Cotswolds, and an past Humblebee Cottages all the around and across fields and over turn right and make for Vineyard excellent place to pause and soak while taking in the incredible views stiles, finally passing through a Street. Turn left down this little road up the past. Leaving the barrow eastwards into the heart of the kissing gate onto the road. bordered by picturesque terraced behind, cross over the stone stile at Cotswolds. cottages and pollarded trees and 7 Turn left, and follow the road the far side and continue to follow over the stone bridge. 6 Follow the path past the farm back towards point 2, retracing the Cotswold Way for half a mile buildings on the left and bear left your steps back into Winchcombe. 2 Just after the bridge, take the along field boundaries and down to follow the narrowing path down Whatever the time of year, this Cotswold Way through the gate on through woods until you meet the between hedges towards a stile at fascinating, living, breathing town your right through the small field road. the end. Again, wonderful views has a wealth of tea rooms, pubs keeping straight across the path 5 Keeping a good ear out for open up below you, this time over and places of interest ready to junction. Through the gate on the traffic, cross over the stile to leave Winchcombe and the stunning welcome enquiring minds and other side and follow the signs until the Cotswold Way and follow the Sudeley Castle with over a weary walkers. Rest and enjoy! you reach Corndean Lane.

Cotswold Way National Trail • Tel: 01451 862000 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.nationaltrail.co.uk Rights of Way • Website: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/prow