From: Birmingham
Started: 20220827
Finished: 20220902
What a beautiful National Trail. We started in a very busy Chipping Campden. The first day of the walk was busy with tourists and day walkers, especially around Broadway. We stayed in a delightful B&B in Wood Stanway & were sent on our way with a hearty full English! Day 2 was a long day but with great views of Cheltenham & rewarded with a cider at Dunkertons in Charlton Kings. Day 3 was a lovely day through some beautiful forests – peaceful & tranquil. We finished in the delightful town of Painswick. Day 4 brought the welcome waymarker indicating 55 miles to Bath – nearly half way! We came across a surprise vineyard & some stunning views of the quintessential English countryside. A delicious curry at ‘Everest’ in Dursley refuelled us after a hard day. Day 5 started with a trip around a golf course, where we met a chap who had put some of the original Cotswold Way waymarkers up in 1970. Great to meet one of the original volunteers who had lots of interesting stories to tell! Lovely meadows and some climbs rewarded with monuments were a feature of today. A slight detour to The Bodkin was needed for accommodation but it was worthwhile for a friendly welcome. Day 6 took us through some lovely villages and to a beautiful Norman church in Old Sodbury, with yet more delightful views to reward our climbs. The M4 and A46 were a stark contrast! We had a lovely stay at Hill Farm to end day 6. Day 7 was a short walk to Bath – back to hustle & bustle but with a great sense of pride & achievement.