Cotswolds Walking Tours 2012 dates:
June 17th-23rd and September 2nd-8th.
The Cotswolds These five walks give you the chance to discover the real essence of the Cotswolds from it's honey coloured limestone buildings to its exquisite country gardens. The walking is done at a relaxed pace and our expert local guide will help bring the fascinating history to life from the famous 'Cotswold Lion' and the fabulously wealthy wool merchants to the iconic architecture and gardens that followed.
Each day’s tour is approx. 6-8 miles, leaving ample time for sightseeing and admiring the ever-changing landscapes of one of England’s areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Day 1 Sunday: Arrive in Chipping CampdenYour guide Robert Talbot will meet you at midday and give you a introduction to the Cotswolds followed by lunch and a short walk. Overnight The Lygon Arms, Chipping Campden. Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 2 Monday: Hidcote garden and Chipping Campden, 8 milesWalk to Hidcote and Kiftsgate gardens. Hidcote was designed and created by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts and Crafts style and made up of beautiful garden rooms, each possessing it its own unique character. After lunch walk back to Chipping Campden, one of the finest of the Cotswold 'wool' towns, where we see the 15th-century parish church, the 17th-century almshouses and market hall, and the remains of Campden House, which was destroyed in the English Civil War. Free time. 8 miles. Overnight The Lygon Arms, Chipping Campden. Talk by a local expert. (B,L,D)
Day 3 Tuesday: Stanway and Stanton, 6 milesTransfer to Stanway with its beautiful Manor House and walk across the estate to Stanton, which is generally agreed to be a perfect Cotswold village, frozen in time. The mainstreet is lined with beautiful golden limestone houses and it is no surprise that Stanton is frequently used as a movie location. Walk via Buckland along the Cotswold Way to beautiful Broadway for lunch. 6 miles. Free time in Broadway or take a walk up to Broadway Tower. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Wednesday: Stow-on-the-Wold, 8 milesTransfer to Lower Slaughter from where we walk through the pretty villages of Lower Swell, Donnington (famous for its brewery) and Longborough. Lunch at Broadwell, with its huge green,ford, and interesting churchyard. After lunch we take the short walk into Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest village in the Cotswolds and, unusually, built around a square. Free time in Stow. 8miles. (B,L,D).
Day 5 Thursday: Bibury and Barnsley House, 7 milesWe begin our tour at Coln St. Aldwyns and walk along the river Coln to Bibury, with its famous Arlington Row, a group of medieval weavers' cottages. After lunch we continue our walk back to Coln St. Aldwyns and transfer to the delightful garden of Barnsley House designed by Rosemary Verey for afternoon tea. Transfer to Cirencester. Overnight The Corinium hotel, Cirencester. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Friday: Malmesbury and Abbey House, 6 milesWe enjoy the delights of Abbey House gardens and take a walk around the hilltop village of Malmesbury reputed to be the oldest continually inhabited village in England. After lunch we return to Cirencester to allow for free time to discover the second biggest Roman town outside of London and it's award winning Corinium museum. Farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Saturday: departure after breakfastNB - on rare occasions it may be necessary to change the sequence of the walks, or a section of a route, due to factors outside our control - ie weather, footpath diversions, museum closures etc. YOUR GUIDE:Robert Talbot: Robert trained as a cartographer and worked for an international book publisher before his love of walking took over. He has lived in the Cotswolds for 17 years and has been guiding for years. Robert is experienced in leading interpretive walks in the Cotswolds, the creator of the Winchcombe Way and author of the Winchcombe Way Guide with appearances on radio and tv. A Cotswold Voluntary Warden and secretary of the Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome.
During your holiday you will stay in the centre of Chipping Campden in The Lygon Arms hotel for 4 nights and 2 nights in The Corinium hotel in Cirencester on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Lunches are included and we may take the opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch or visit a local pub. All entry fees are included.
Cost per person: £995.00. Single supplement £225.00 all include DBB.
What's IncludedAccommodation for 6 nights in high quality accommodation - 4 nights in The Lygon Arms in the centre of Chipping Campden and 2 nights at The Corinium hotel in Cirencester. Services of Robert Talbot as your guide, breakfast each morning, 6 lunches and dinners and transfers each day in order to do the itinerary as outlined above.
WalkingEach days tour will be approx. 6-8 miles and this allow enough free time to be able to enjoy the churches, villages and ancient sites that we will visit.