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Outdoor activities to enjoy…

WALKING

There are over 3,000 miles of public footpaths in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the largest such region in the country. Walking is one of the best ways to appreciate and enjoy the distinctive character of the Cotswolds. There are long distance walks as well as short routes, providing access to the rolling hills, clear river valleys and the scattered stone villages for which the area is so well known.

The Cotswold Way

One of the great long distance trails in Britain, The Cotswold Way was recently upgraded to national status. For over 100 miles from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath in the south it hugs the Cotswold scarp, providing wonderful views not only of the Cotswold hills themselves but way out across the Severn Vale and into the Welsh Border counties.

The Oxfordshire Way

This 65 mile long route passes through the scenic and gentle landscape of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, on its way from Bourton-on-the-Water down to Henley-on-Thames. In doing so it passes through not one but two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. This is a delightful walk through some true English countryside.

The Wardens’ Way and Windrush Way

These two trails link with the Oxfordshire Way, as both start in Winchcombe and end at Bourton-on-the-Water. Designed by the Cotswolds Voluntary Wardens Service of the AONB, they complement each other at 13 and 14 miles in length. Wardens’ Way wanders through the villages of Guiting Power, Naunton and both Upper and Lower Slaughter. The Windrush Way goes over the hills with only the remains of ‘lost’ medieval villages en route to the River Windrush in Bourton.

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens

T: 01451 862000 www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk

On their guided walks the Wardens use their local knowledge to explain more about the landscape, history, wildlife and local communities of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Call for full programme of walks.

Chipping Campden Town Walks

T: 01386 832131

Voluntary Wardens offer a town walk and an audiovisual show followed by tea in Chipping Campden for organised parties.

RIDING

The Cotswolds is an ideal location for anyone with an interest in horse related activities. Numerous riding centres cater for both the experienced and novice rider and take advantage of the many miles of public bridleways found in the Cotswolds.

The Sabrina Way

www.ride-uk.org.uk/extent/natreg/sabrina.htm

Developed by the British Horse Society and Ride UK runs east-west through Gloucestershire from Stow-on-the-Wold to Forthampton near Tewkesbury, and will form part of a longer distance route. A set of leaflets covering the route is available from The British Horse Society in return for £2 and a donation to the Ride UK project. Each leaflet covers the route in a single county.

Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre

Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

T: 01451 821 101 leannebvec@aol.com

Jill Carenza

The Vines, Stanton, Nr. Broadway, Gloucestershire.

T: 01386 584 250

Durham Farm Riding School

Chastleton, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

T: 01608 674 867 www.cotswoldriding.co.uk

Fox Hill – Holiday with your horse

Old Stow Road, Near Naunton, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire.

T: 01451 850 496 www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/foxhillnaunton

Notgrove Estate

Notgrove, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 3BT

T: 07776 077271 www.notgrove.com

Woodlands Riding Stables

Glebe Farm, Wood Stanway, Nr. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire

T: 01386 584 404 emma@woodstanway.co.uk www.woodstanway.co.uk

Foxcote House Livery Yard

T: 01242 820 663 sarah@foxcotehouseliveryyard.co.uk

Ullenwood

Ullenwood, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS

T: 01242 575 020 mel@ullenwoodriding.co.uk

Upcote Cross Country Course

Upcote Farm, Withington, Nr. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

T: 01242 890 250

Camp Riding Centre

Camp, Miserden, Nr. Stroud, Gloucestershire

T: 01285 821 219 chrisandvicky.barron@btinternet.com www.ridingschoolgloucestershire.co.uk

Cotswold Trail Riding Centre

Ongers Farm, Brookthorpe, Glos

T: 01452 813 344

South Cerney Riding School

Cerney Wick Farm, Cerney Wick, Nr. Cirencester Gloucestershire

T: 01793 750 151

Talland School of Equitation

Church Farm, Siddington, Nr. Cirencester, Gloucestershire

T: 01285 652 318 secretary@talland.net www.talland.net

CYCLING

Britain’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lies mostly within Gloucestershire and offers a fantastic opportunity for cycling. The rolling hills of the Cotswolds dip gently down to the Thames in the South east with a steep scarp slope along the north western edge, giving a great variety of terrain to explore, from easy to challenging. An extensive network of country lanes link the famous Cotswold villages and market towns leading away from the hustle and bustle. They give a tremendous choice of routes with an ever changing view. Miles of bridleways and byways offer plenty of scope for mountain bikers. Ancient green lanes mixed with farm tracks – all set amongst beautiful Cotswold countryside. The Cotswold Water Park has a 12 mile circuit around the lakes, half off-road. With a little planning, the lanes across the Cotswolds offer plenty of scope for safe, gentle cycling and there are a number of publications that suggest suitable routes. Available from Keynes Country Park, Shorncote, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6DF, T: 01285 861 459

The Cotswolds AONB partnership has produced two guides: Kingham Bike Rides and Kemble Bike Rides describe routes from rail stations in the Cotswolds. Details from the Visitor Information Centres

Cotswold Cycle Routes – Pocket Foldaway Cycle Maps

Personal foldaway cycle maps indicate a network of safe quiet country lanes, which interconnect not only with the market towns and surrounding villages, such as Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, but railway stations as well as Visitor Attractions. They give families and non-frequent cyclists, a clearer idea of how to get around the Cotswolds by bicycle.

These 6 circular routes are freely available at Visitor Information Centres throughout the Cotswolds. Small wooden directional signs will be gradually installed on signposts at every junction to help navigate the routes.