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DATES FOR 2008:
- 8 June
- 6 July
- 7 September
(5 days walking, 6 nights)
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Walking in the Cotswolds, to many, present a picture
of idyllic rural England. The Cotswolds unique combination
of picturesque honey coloured stone villages and historic
market towns set amidst gently rolling countryside
make it irresistible. Few parts of England owe so much of their
beauty, character and history to the very stone of which
they are made. The history of the Cotswolds goes back to
Neolithic stone age times and the courses of old Roman roads
dissect its countryside. Twelfth and thirteenth century abbeys
started the wool trade which gave much prosperity to the area
resulting in fine medieval churches. Much of the seventeenth
century Civil War was enacted in the area. The Cotswolds was largely
unaffected by the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries
which has given it a legacy of charm and tranquillity.
Day One (Sunday)
Independent arrival to the ancient market town of Chipping Campden, one of the finest towns in the Cotswolds. Its historic buildings include a fine medieval church, almshouses, medieval merchants houses, cottages and inns reflecting a medieval prosperity founded on the wool trade.
Overnight Chipping Campden
Day Two (Monday)
Today begins in Chipping Campden with a delightful walk across meadows, pastures and along country lanes. We pass through the sleepy hamlet of Hidcote Boyce, with cottages jumbled along its gently sloping street, to the renowned Hidcote Manor Gardens. This magnificent garden was given to the National Trust in 1948 by Lawrence Johnston who had spent over forty years on creating a unique ten acres of delightful hedges, slopes, avenues and dells containing a fascinating series of gardens within gardens. In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Chipping Campden and marvel at the ancient buildings in its famous high street described as one of the most unspoilt streets in England. Walk across fields to the nearby village of Broad Campden for a typical English tea in a private house.
| 5 miles - 2.5 hours plus stops and visits |
Overnight Chipping Campden
Day Three (Tuesday)
Start out on part of the Cotswold Way, a long distance national walking trail from Bath to Chipping Campden. Enjoy magnificent views en route to Broadway Tower. This most remarkable 18th century folly, built for the sixth Earl of Coventry, was once lived in by William Morris the English craftsman, poet and socialist. Visit the William Morris exhibition and climb the tower for outstanding panoramic views towards Wales. Continue to the clustered, close-knit village of Snowshill and visit Snowshill Manor, a traditional Cotswold manor house dating from Tudor times. This National Trust property contains a remarkable collection of curios assembled over many years by the former owner Charles Paget Wade.
| 6 miles - 3 hours plus stops and visits |
Overnight Chipping Campden
Day Four (Wednesday)
Drive the short distance to Broadway, another famous Cotswold village with a fine broad main street containing an array of 17th and 18th century stone buildings. Walk from here following meandering paths to the perfectly beautiful villages of Stanton and Stanway. Walk on for a picnic lunch following in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims to the evocative ruins of Hailes Abbey. This monastery was founded in 1246 and lived in by Cistercian monks for nearly 300 years. End the day with a visit to Sudeley Castle dating from the 15th century and once owned by Lord Seymour. It is here that Queen Katherine Parr, the final wife of King Henry VIII, is buried. Drive to the market town of Stow-On-The-Wold, a renowned antique centre, situated at an important cross roads of the northern Cotswolds. This is your base for the next three nights.
| 8 miles - 4 hours plus stops and visits |
Overnight Stow-on -the-Wold
Day Five (Thursday)
Drive to Bourton-on-the-Water where ancient buildings and broad greens line the lovely River Windrush. Walk to the beautiful, unspoilt village of Lower Slaughter, one of the gems of the Cotswolds, where a series of little bridges span the River Eye. Follow the river to neighbouring Upper Slaughter and continue on the Wardens Way footpath through the ancient honey coloured stone villages of Naunton and Guiting Power. This ancient way is by river valley and woods as we head for the historic Saxon town of Winchcombe where an abbey was founded in 798 AD. This was a prosperous medieval town as its fine church testifies.
| 10 miles - 5.5 hours plus stops and visits |
Overnight Stow-on -the-Wold
Day Six (Friday)
Today is a day of gentle walking in idyllic quintessential Cotswold countryside. Follow the peaceful Windrush Valley where water meadows and willow trees delight the eye. Meander from one sleepy village to another - Windrush, Little Barrington and Great Barrington and on to the lovely old Cotswold town of Burford. Explore its jumble of inns, shops and tea-rooms; see the medieval church, Almshouses and Grammer School. Have lunch before continuing along the Windrush Valley to the scenic villages of Swinbrook and Asthall. These villages are strongly associated with the Mitford sisters. Daughters of the 2nd Baron Redesdale, they were socialites and writers responsible for such books as Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate, Noblesse Oblige and Hons and Rebels.Their graves are in Swinbrook church yard and their Elizabethan manor overlooks the church yard in Asthall.
| 7 miles - 3.5 hours plus stops and visits |
Overnight Stow-on -the-Wold
Day Seven
Depart after a leisurely breakfast.
Price: (2008)
$US 3,500 per person shared / $US 275 single supplement.
Details : Price includes - six nights accommodation, five
days guided walking, four dinners, all breakfasts, all lunches,
fruit and juice breaks on the walk, all entrance fees for programmed
visits, Blue Badge Tourist Guides, luggage transfers, back up
transport vehicle and tax.
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