7-Night Cotswolds Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday Tour Style: Tread Lightly Destinations: Cotswolds & England Trip code: BNSUS-7 1 & 2 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW We are all well-versed in ‘leaving no trace’ but now we invite you to join us in taking it to the next level with our new Tread Lightly walks. We have pulled together a series of spectacular walks which do not use transport, reducing our carbon footprint while still exploring the best landscapes that The Cotswolds have to offer. You will still enjoy the choice of three top-quality walks of different grades as well as the warm welcome of a HF country house, all with the added peace of mind that you are doing your part in protecting our incredible British countryside. Gentle hills, picture-postcard villages and tempting tea shops make this quintessentially English countryside perfect for walking. On our Guided Walking holidays you'll discover glorious golden stone villages with thatched cottages, mansion houses, pastoral countryside and quiet country lanes. WHAT'S INCLUDED • High quality en-suite accommodation in our country house • Full board from dinner upon arrival to breakfast on departure day • 5 days guided walking; 1 free day www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 • Use of our comprehensive Discovery Point • Choice of up to three guided walks each walking day • The services of HF Holidays Walking Leaders HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy breath-taking walks from the doors of our country house • Discover the quaint and picturesque Cotswolds villages • Keep a lookout for herons on the River Windrush • Wander through the bustling market square at Stow-on-the-Wold ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Around The Slaughters Option 1 - The Quarry Lakes And Salmonsbury Camp Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km) Ascent: 400 feet (120m) In Summary: A circular walk starts out along the Monarch’s Way reaching the village of Clapton-on-the-Hill. We return along the Windrush valley back to Bourton. Highlight: At the end of the walk there's plenty of time to enjoy Bourton-on-the-Water. Visit the speciality shops, relax in one of the pubs or tea-rooms, or just sit beside the river and watch the world go by. Option 2 - Around The Slaughters And Lower Harford Distance: 7 miles (11½km) Ascent: 550 feet (180m) In Summary: Visit both Upper and Lower Slaughter and the medieval village of Lower Harford, before a riverside walk beside the Windrush takes us back to Bourton-on-the-Water. Highlight: The twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter are just a couple of miles' walk from Bourton-on-the- Water. The River Eye flows through these most picturesque of villages, creating a picture-postcard scene. Option 3 - Naunton And The Slaughters Distance: 10.3miles (16.5km) Ascent: 695 feet (212m) In Summary: Follow a clockwise loop from Bourton along the tranquil vallley of the River Windrush to Lower Harford and the village of Naunton. Our return route takes us over the fields via the Slaughters. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: Keep a lookout for herons on the riverside section of this walk. Day 3: Bourton To Cold Aston Option 1 - Bourton To Cold Aston Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km) Ascent: 550 feet (160m) In Summary: This walk leaves Bourton-on-the-Water on the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways to arrive in Cold Aston. A lovely village arranged around a green and a sycamore tree. The Plough Inn is an ideal place for some refreshment. The walk continues across fields and around farms on the Sabrina Way and Monarch’s Way back to Bourton-on-the-water. Highlight: Do look around at various times for some super views towards Little Rissington. Option 2 - Cold Aston And Clapton Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km) Ascent: 600 feet (180m) In Summary: This walk leaves Bourton-on-the-Water on the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways to arrive in Cold Aston. A lovely village arranged around a green and a sycamore tree. The Plough Inn is an ideal place for some refreshment. The walk continues across fields and around farms on the Sabrina Way. The route then goes to Clapton on the Hill, before descending down through Marshmouth Farm and back into Bourton. Highlight: The lovely church at Clapton on the Hill. Option 3 - Cold Aston, Notgrove And Turkdean Distance: 12miles (19km) Ascent: 1,100 feet (280m) In Summary: This walk leaves Bourton-on-the-Water on the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways to arrive in Cold Aston. A lovely village arranged around a green and a sycamore tree. The Plough Inn is an ideal place for some refreshment then we continue to Notgrove, followed by Turkdean, another lovely village. Then back to Cold Aston on the Macmillan Way before turning off on Monarch’s Way back to Bourton. Highlight: Explore picturesque Notgrove with its Manor house and beautiful church. Day 4: Free Day Discover more about Harrington House and the local area for ideas on how to fill your free day. Day 5: Along The Windrush Valley Option 1 - The Quarry Lakes And Salmonsbury Camp Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km) Ascent: 400 feet (120m) In Summary: A circular walk starts out along the Monarch’s Way reaching the village of Clapton-on-the-Hill. We return along the Windrush valley back to Bourton. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: At the end of the walk there's plenty of time to enjoy Bourton-on-the-Water. Visit the speciality shops, relax in one of the pubs or tea-rooms, or just sit beside the river and watch the world go by. Option 2 - Sherborne Distance: 10½ miles (17km) Ascent: 700ft (220m) In Summary: Walk from Bourton to Clapton-on-the-Hill, then track south to the attractive village of Sherborne before returning to Bourton via the Windrush valley. Highlight: An opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy the rolling countryside to the south of Bourton-on-the- Water. Option 3 - Little Rissington Distance: 7½ miles (11.5km) Ascent: 560 feet (180m) In Summary: Follow the Monarch’s Way to Clapton-on-the-Hill, then take the route across the valley to Little Rissington. We return via the quarry lakes to Bourton. Highlight: Visit the 'plague church' at Little Rissington with its memorial window to the Red Arrows and the graves of those killed at the nearby RAF Flying School. Day 6: The Rissingtons Plus Option 1 - Couple Of Rissingtons Distance: 5.5 miles (9km) Ascent: 250 feet (80m) In Summary: Crossing Salmonsbury camp we leave the Windrush valley and head up the first of two Rissington villages, Wyck Rissington and then on to Little Rissington with its memorial to the RAF before dropping back down into the valley and back to the house. Highlight: The moving testament to the memory of RAF serviceman who lost lives in World War II in Little Rissington church. Option 2 - Three Of The Rissingtons Distance: 9.5 miles (15km) Ascent: 500 feet (140m) In Summary: Leaving the valley we explore three of the Rissington villages, Wyck Rissington, Little Rissington (and the RAF memorial) and Great Rissington before returning to the house via the Quarry Lakes of the Windrush Valley. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: Beautiful Cotswold villages full of character and great views across the Cotswold countryside. Option 3 - All Four Of The Rissingtons Distance: 10.5 miles (17km) Ascent: 650 feet (200m) In Summary: Leaving the valley behind we ascend to explore all four of the Rissington villages – Wyck Rissington, Little Rissington ( with a chance to visit the RAF memorial), Great Rissington and Upper Rissington (Disused RAF airfield) before returning via the Quarry Lakes of the Windrush valley. Highlight: Take a stroll through history as we explore the outstanding churches and stone cottages ranging from the 1400’s to the present day. Day 7: Around Bourton Option 1 - Upper Slaughter And Lower Slaughter Distance: 5.5 miles (9km) Ascent: 300 feet (140m) In Summary: An attraction of this walk is that it includes three villages. We start in bustling Bourton-on-the-Water, crossing farmland to idyllic Lower Slaughter with its fine old houses and cottages sitting beside the picturesque Rive Eye and its attractive bridges. With time to visit the church, look at the Mill, and possibly enjoy the tea room, we then cross meadows to the sleepy and unspoilt village of Upper Slaughter before picking up the River Windrush to return to Harrington House. Highlight: The mill at Lower Slaughter and two unspoilt Cotswold villages Option 2 - Bourton To Icomb Distance: 9.5 miles (15km) Ascent: 850 feet (260m) In Summary: Leaving Bourton via the quarry lakes we ascend to Great Rissington and then across the Cotswold countryside to the idyllic Cotswold stone village of Icomb. With fine views across the Cotswold landscape we return to Harrington House via Greystones nature reserve and the picturesque main street of Bourton-on-the- Water. Highlight: Take your camera – plenty of quintessential Cotswolds photo opportunities. Option 3 - Bourton To Stow And Back Distance: 10.5 miles (17km) Ascent: 1,000 feet (300m) In Summary: We head north via Greystones nature reserve, taking attractive field paths and tracks to follow the Oxfordshire Way. This takes us to the market town of Stow on the Wold with its 17th and 18th century buildings built around the bustling market square.