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Cotswold Village Tour
offered by supplier M08576 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 10
people
Destination(s):
England
Specialty Categories:
Walking Tours
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 935 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1055 US Dollar (USD)
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The charming cottages, the dignified manor house, the historic church, the pub and the green; all the elements of the classic English village that are so well represented by the famous names of the Cotswolds. Stow on the Wold, the Slaughters, Bourton on the Water, Northleach and Moreton in Marsh, these villages and small market towns draw people from around the world to admire their handsome stone buildings and carefully tended gardens that seem to capture the spirit of a lost age.
They stand amidst peaceful countryside; winding footpaths lead across pastures and through woodland to other villages off the tourist trail, less well known but often as delightful and even more tranquil. The grander architecture and landscaped parkland of country houses is shown off at its best in the setting of this affluent farmland which has been designated as England’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Be sure to bring plenty of film for this trip full of memorable moments! Main Centres - Cheltenham, Bourton, Stow, Moreton. 6 to 11 miles, 6 days walking. Difficulty level: gentle. Starts Cheltenham, finishes Moreton in Marsh. Return transport by arrangement.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cheltenham
Check into your hotel then enjoy a stroll around this Britain’s most complete Regency Spa town. Take in the many elegant buildings, the beautiful parks and gardens and fascinating museums. Alternatively you can enjoy its renowned range of shopping or simply relax ready at your hotel. (B).
Day 2: Minibus transfer then a walk to Bourton on the Water
Distance – 6˝ - 11 miles (10.5 - 17 km). Grade – 3. Suggested Refreshments – A good selection of inns, tea rooms and shops in Northleach. Features – The beautiful pastures and woods along the banks of the little River Coln are the setting for the best exposed Roman Villa in the country.
The handsome little market town of Northleach provides an excellent introduction to this countryside. Its large 15th century ‘wool’ church, built by the wealthy merchants, is typical of the Cotswold style while the Heritage Centre gives a fascinating insight into traditional farming life. The walk follows the Monarchs Way through unspoilt hamlets and over rolling country to Bourton in the valley of the River Windrush. This is the most famous village in the area with a wide range of attractions including museums, a perfumery and a delightful maze. (B).
Day 3: Circuit from Bourton
Distance – 6˝ - 10˝ miles (11 - 17 km). Grade - 3. Suggested Refreshments – Several welcoming village Inns and tearooms along the route. Features – A walk over rolling hills through mixed farmland takes you up to Cold Aston. Here you can rest by the pub under the shade of the huge sycamore tree on the village green before strolling on past the charming collection of domestic fowl at Folly Farm. This leads to Naunton where pretty stone cottages and another local inn nestle in a valley surrounded by sheep pasture and horse racing gallops. Follow the River Windrush down through lush meadows and woods, past a ‘lost’ Mediaeval village to back to Bourton. (B).
Day 4: Bourton to Stow on the Wold
Distance – 5˝ – 7˝ miles (8.5 – 12 km). Grade - 2. Suggested Refreshments - Several welcoming village Inns and tearooms along the route. Features – Two pairs of beautiful riverside villages feature on today’s walk. Lower and Upper Slaughter, on the banks of the little River Eye, are among the most popular in the Cotswolds. The charming cottages, manor houses and water mill, now being restored to full working order, are favourite subjects for local artists who regularly exhibit their work in the village hall.
Though less often visited, Lower and Upper Swell on the River Dickler are equally pleasant with cosy country inns and unique features like the ornate Georgian therapeutic well. At Stow on the Wold handsome stone buildings stand around a market square that once hosted some of the greatest sheep fairs in the country with as many as 20,000 animals. Now it is the venue for much more genteel shopping. (B).
Day 5: Circular walk around the Evenlode valley
Distance – 6 - 10˝ miles (10 - 17 km) Grade - 3. Suggested Refreshments - Several welcoming village Inns along the route. Features –Stroll out through secluded villages to join the Oxfordshire Way through the wide valley of the River Evenlode. The walk here combines wide views across to the Whychwood with visits to Icomb, Bledington and Oddington, often missed from the tourist trails. Enjoy the peace of the countryside as you stroll past delightful cottage gardens, mediaeval church wall paintings, village greens and charming manor houses on the way back to Stow on the Wold. (B).
Day 6: Stow on the Wold to Moreton in Marsh
Distance - 6 or 9 miles (10 or 15 km) Grade – 2. Suggested Refreshments- Several welcoming village Inns along the route. Features – Continue up the Evenlode valley past the typically English manor at Donnington and the surprising Oriental house at Sezincote. Here the 18th century manor is built in the Indian style with water gardens. It was a visit to this house by the Prince Regent in 1807 that inspired the building of the famous Brighton Pavilion. Moreton in Marsh stands either side of a broad main street lined with fine houses, shops and inns. (B).
Day 7: Circuit from Moreton
Distance- 6˝ - 9˝ miles (11 - 15 km) Grade – 3. Suggested Refreshments- Several welcoming village Inns and tearooms along the route. Features - The village of Blockley is one of the jewels of the Cotswolds that is often overlooked. The little stream that runs through it once supported a dozen mills that were used for all manner of industry from flour milling to silk weaving. The delightful old buildings, ponds and streams now offer wonderful opportunities for creative gardeners.
At Batsford there is gardening on a much larger scale with an Arboretum inspired by the mountain sides of Asia Minor and a Falconry Centre running regular demonstrations. The cottages, church and 14th century tithe barn at Bourton on the Hill make a wonderful and very English scene. (B).
Day 8: Depart from Moreton Station. (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
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