Journey Across The Cotswolds by Foot Trails

Journey Across The Cotswolds

Trail story from Alison Howell This Foot Trail has been a lifetime in the making. David, my husband, grew up in the Cotswolds and many of my family live and farm there. I wanted our guests to be able to enjoy the best of this beautiful area but avoid certain parts of it which, in my view, have become over crowded and over touristy. This magical journey takes you through the best of the Cotswolds. Connect with places that mark its once thriving wool industry, mesmerising villages and picturesque landscapes. Be prepared for a little adventure. Longer grasses in summer, a little overgrown may sometimes apply, but your efforts will be richly rewarded with sights of villages, landscapes and views that most visitors simply never see. Warm regards, Alison Howell, Foot Trails Founder

Welcome to Journey Across The Cotswolds Journey Across the Cotswolds is an inn to inn walking trail over 6 or 8 nights. Walking from village to village on local paths is a delightful experience enjoying peaceful countryside, market towns and Cotswolds villages. Staying for two nights in hand-picked country inns on the way. But this isn't the Cotswolds Way! It is the Foot Trails way. This trail gives a glimpse into the life past and present of The Cotswolds. Places connected with the wool industry, agriculture and market towns. Every day its own little adventure, your walking will be filled with discoveries.

Contents Example Itinerary

Walking (the Foot Trails way) p12 Trail Highlights

p13

Where you stay

p15

What's included

p16

Where & getting here

p18

Prices & Booking

p20

Example daily itinerary.. Everything about your Foot Trail is deliberate, chosen with care and intent for you. Through our deep, local knowledge we custom make your walking trip. You can choose your preferred dates - start on any day of the week - stay for how long you wish - include rest days - change the daily walk distances. We have created this example itinerary as an outline for the best Journey Across Cotswolds experience. Day 1 - Arrive & Relax Arrive to The Cotswolds and your Foot Trails adventure! We’ll include a short walk to take in the village, river and stories of the Mitford family. Enjoy your evening with a drink whilst browsing through your 'Walk & Explore' box and getting to know your itinerary for the coming days ahead.

Day 2 - Dragons of Burford Explore a character Cotswolds village and its 12th century Norman church. Enjoy views over Burford and the spire as you arrive to explore the shops & cafes of the market town. There are many historical tales from Golden Dragons to medieval graffiti! Follow the river to return to the inn on foot, time to enjoy the riverside setting. Day 3 - A 17th Century Spectacular! & your next inn Take in the wonderful atmosphere of this corner of the Cotswolds. Little known, and blissfully crowd free, you are in an area once inhabited by our bronze age ancestors thousands of years ago. On to England's finest Jacobean house, built by a wealthy wool merchant. Pass the thatched old post office and the fine 'Gentlemen's Residence' to discover a link to author Jane Austen. Time for afternoon tea in the farm shop, then a short walk over the meadows to return to the inn on foot. Day 4 - To and fro Stow Today make your way to Stow, the Cotswolds’ highest town. Look out for the 1000 year old yew tree; pass the wells that once supplied Stow before finding yourself in the hustle and bustle of its market place. Linger and explore or skip straight through, you will soon find views over the valley and an unspoilt Cotswolds village. Meadows and nature reserves that heave with bird song and skylarks lead to your inn.

5 - To the heart of The Cotswolds & your next inn Full of contrast and diversity this trail is a real treat. There are charming villages, views and tales from the iron-age. Find yourself amongst some wonderful Hay Meadows, full of wildflowers (especially in May). Explore the iconic town of Bourton-on-the-Water too, or skip straight through. More views to greet you in the afternoon, and a delightful remote valley to lead you onward. You will arrive at your next inn on foot, check in and enjoy the change of scene. Day 6 - The Roman Story Connect with the romans and tread in their footsteps on this historic trail. Explore one of the county's best loved Roman villas, built nearly 2000 years ago as a place of Roman wealth, luxury and comfort. Your trail also includes little Cotswolds stone villages, tumbling streams, cottage gardens; this is what the Cotswolds is all about! Return on foot to your inn, refresh and enjoy your evening.

“Foot Trails was extremely easy to work with. We're delighted and hope to do another walk next year” Susan, USA

Day 7 - Secret Cotswolds & to your next inn Today’s trail has you looping around the river, mixing in some Celtic history, tales of Saxons and wealthy victorians. Not forgetting lovely Cotswolds villages, historic churches and great views. This is a less trodden route but a favourite for soaking up the landscape and scenery. Arrive at your next inn on foot, check in and enjoy the change of scene Day 8 - Chimney on the hill! Your trail starts with a wander to the edge of the Cotswolds hills with views across Cheltenham and the valley below. Explore this ancient hilltop with limestone quarries and the iconic Devils Chimney, as well as the old earthworks of an Iron-age hill fort. In the afternoon return through a 5000 year old Neolithic sacred site. Arrive back at the inn on foot, refresh and enjoy your evening. Day 9 - Time to depart At the end of your Foot Trail it's time for your onward travel, full of memories and tales of your adventures.

Walking… the Foot Trails way We are passionate about the experience of walking, the sense of journey, and the wellbeing from time spent outside. Wandering the landscape at 2mph allows time to observe the world around us, connect with nature, and to slow down. The Cotswolds is England’s largest area of outstanding natural beauty. It’s a comfortable landscape - made up of rolling farmland, flower -rich grassland, country parks and woodland. The daily trails range from 8 - 12 miles, with longer and shorter options on route. To us, it's nice to feel like you have done something, the sense of achievement, but not so much that the thought of another day is off putting. To help you find your way we provide local maps and word directions on our trail cards. They are tried and tested, by our team and Volunteer Trail Guides and produced on tough waterproof paper to withstand the elements. Learn about history, stories and legends as you walk and take advantage of suggested departure times, recommended lunch stops and other guidance, drawn from our local experience and expertise.

Trail Highlights * Enjoy an authentic and peaceful side to The Cotswolds, thanks to our local insider knowledge. * Discover mesmerising and secret Cotswolds stone villages. * Find out how wool made this county wealthy. * Visit Chipping Campden with its magnificent architecture and 100 year old connection to the Arts and Crafts movement including silver, jewellery, printing, book binding and furniture making. * Enjoy pastoral scenes of England and learn about country ways. * Admire Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest market town in the Cotswolds with its independent shops and cafés. * Walk ancient track-ways and discover a connection with English author Jane Austen. * Stay in four of the Cotswolds' most stunning and historic country inns.

Where you stay... personally chosen One of the reasons guests choose Foot Trails is for our choice and quality of accommodation. The country inns and country pubs where you stay are small, personal and friendly with excellent hospitality. Each one is in an English village with comfortable bedrooms and delicious local food and drinks. Centuries old, the buildings provide a relaxing and authentic setting in which you can kick off your boots and eat dinner at the end of an inspiring day on the trail. On the Journey Across The Cotswolds inn to inn trail you will stay in a different country inn every two days, giving you the opportunity to walk and explore the locality deeply before moving on. Enjoy a 16th century former cider house, a country pub set on the village greens, a riverside country inn with a beautiful garden, and an old coaching inn that holds numerous dining awards. You will receive full details of our suggested accommodation with your itinerary when we confirm availability of your trip.

What’s included * A tailored itinerary to suit you and the season * Our services in arranging your itinerary * Our support in preparing for your trip, and on call support during your trip * Accommodation for 8 nights, bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms * Country breakfast to set you up each day * Transport drop off services if required for your itinerary * Luggage transfers between your country inns * A comprehensive Walk and Explore box, posted for your arrival & including: * Local maps with your trails clearly marked (on waterproof paper) * Innovative trail cards, one for each day, with clear easy to follow directions in word (on waterproof paper) * Trail cards also include local histories and stories to enjoy and read as you explore * Suggested departure times so that you don't miss lunch, recommended lunchtime stops at hand picked country pubs or cafes (lunch not included) * Snacks, nature guide, guest booklet, local information and more 16

“ A memorable and rewarding walking holiday in the Cotswolds! “ Helen, AU

Where & getting here The Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty in the South West of England. Not a county itself, it sits mostly in Gloucestershire and extends to Oxfordshire on the east and Bath in the south.

How to get here? The nearest train stations for arrivals are either Moreton-in-Marsh (Gloucestershire) or Charlbury (Oxfordshire). The journey time by car, about a 90 minute drive from London. The suggested international airport is London Heathrow which offers an easy transfer to London Paddington and around two hours to the start of the trail. There is also a regional airport at Birmingham. Airport cars often make the most convenient transfer and we can arrange this for you.

Start your Foot Trails adventure! Example Pricing Everything about a Foot Trail is deliberate, chosen with care and intent for you. Therefore each trip is quoted individually, and will vary from the example pricing below. An 8 night Journey Across The Cotswolds itinerary starts from £1695 per person (based on 2 people sharing a room). * Twin (2 x single beds) bedroom options available * Solo's welcome (solo supplements apply) * Groups (4+), returning guests, and winter discounts offered Booking your Foot Trail If you would like to start your Foot Trails adventure, call us on +44 (0) 1747820626 or email us at Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk Prior to booking we email confirmation of your itinerary, accommodations and details for your 25% deposit. Payment of your deposit will confirm your booking. Balances are due 8 weeks before arrival. We accept all major credit cards and bank Transfers 20

“I have described it to people as ﬁve of the best days in my life. We loved every second of it. Just a great experience, beautifully presented and curated.“ Robin, NY, USA

“I can't express how good the experience was. The team at Foot Trails was great. They listened to what we wanted to do and planned the perfect trip for us.” Steve, Australia You can read more reviews from our guests on our tripadvisor page – www.tripadvisor.com/foottrailsUK

Foot Trails The Welsh Mill Hub Park Hill Drive Frome BA11 2LE

+44 (0) 1747820626 Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk