From: Melbourne, Australia
Started: 20170627
Finished: 20170707
A great walk with many fabulous viewpoints on the way. Some of our highlights were:
· Cooper’s Hill (where the annual cheese-rolling competition takes place) with its surprisingly terrifying view from the top!
· The amazing golf course at Painswick Beacon – Krazy Golf on a large scale. Also, Painswick itself was probably our favourite village of the walk.
· Selsley Common. Great views after a hard climb up.
· Beautiful Stone walls (catch the new one just South-West of Tormarton).
· Eating at the Star Bistro at Ullenwood.
Tips:
· There are a lot of very steep climbs and descents – perhaps not by Lake District standards, but you must still be very sure on your feet and take boots with good grip. A walking stick would also be useful, especially as some of the paths can be slippery when wet. The Cotswold way is certainly no walk in the Park!
· The trailblazer guidebook is excellent, but take a map and compass too (in case you need a shortcut or emergency detour)
· If you’re scared of heights some parts of the Way won’t be much fun, so be prepared to check your map for alternative routes if it gets hairy. In particular the official path passing below the Barrow Wake car park is very “sporty” (Grid Ref SO 9310 1535). Just take the tarmacked path through the car park instead – much less scary.