Walking in the Cotswolds

Synopsis

A guidebook to 30 circular Cotswolds walks in the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England. Fourteen of the routes include sections of the Cotswold Way National Trail, a 102-mile walk that winds its way from Chipping Campden to Bath. Covering 790 square miles, the Cotswolds is home to lush green hills, picturesque valleys and beautiful beech woodlands. The impressive Edge - a remarkable limestone escarpment - offers ethereal views across the Vales of the Severn, Berkeley and Gloucester to the Malverns and the distant mountains of Wales.

Ranging from 4 to 12 miles in length, the routes are graded from easy to strenuous, offering something for every walker.

Step-by-step route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 mapping. There is plenty of information on the many points of interest passed en route, including Roman ruins, ancient stone circles, Neolithic long barrows and historic villages. Also included is a useful route table summary, information on accommodation, and details on the region's geology, landscape, plants and wildlife.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Heart of the Cotswolds

* Summary: Introduces the Cotswolds region and its charming villages, rolling hills, and picturesque countryside.
* Real example: A walk from Bibury to Burford, passing through the iconic Arlington Row and the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water, a distance of 10 miles (16 km).

Chapter 2: Walking the Cotswold Way

* Summary: Describes the Cotswold Way National Trail, a 102-mile (164 km) long-distance footpath traversing the length of the Cotswolds.
* Real example: A section of the Cotswold Way from Broadway to Winchcombe, passing through picturesque villages, ancient woodland, and panoramic vistas, a distance of 12 miles (19 km).

Chapter 3: Circular Slad and Stroud Valleys

* Summary: Focuses on circular walks in the Stroud Valleys area, offering stunning views, rolling landscapes, and historic villages.
* Real example: The Slad Valley Circular, a 5-mile (8 km) walk from Chalford to Painswick, passing through idyllic countryside and the literary village of Slad, associated with Laurie Lee.

Chapter 4: Roaming the River Severn

* Summary: Explores the picturesque Severn Valley and the villages and towns nestled along the River Severn.
* Real example: A walk from Ironbridge to Jackfield, in Shropshire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tracing the industrial history of the area along the riverbank, a distance of 6 miles (10 km).

Chapter 5: Historic Cotswold Hills

* Summary: Highlights walks in the northern Cotswolds, visiting ancient castles, historic towns, and rolling hills.
* Real example: A walk from Chipping Campden to Broadway, passing through the picturesque Broadway Tower and the historic market town of Chipping Campden, a distance of 9 miles (14 km).

Chapter 6: Malverns and May Hill

* Summary: Features walks in the Malvern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering stunning panoramic views and ancient landscapes.
* Real example: A walk from Ledbury to May Hill, ascending to the summit of the hill for breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, a distance of 13 miles (21 km).

Chapter 7: River Thames Trails

* Summary: Explores walks along the upper reaches of the River Thames, visiting charming riverside villages and historic landmarks.
* Real example: A walk from Oxford to Abingdon, following the riverbank and passing through the historic city of Oxford and the picturesque village of Abingdon-on-Thames, a distance of 10 miles (16 km).