From: Bucks
Started: 20200829
Finished: 20210829
This was our second National Trail as a family (the Ridgeway our first). We walked it over 8 days over 5 weekends finishing a year from the day we started in Chipping Campden. Shortest day 10.85 miles, longest 17.76. We loved it. Even our younger son, Max, had to admit that he quite enjoyed the experience – helped by staying in hotels and the odd airbnb and eating in local restaurants. There are too many highlights to mention – each day brought fine views and lovely villages to wonder through. But I’d cite here Belas Knap, scaling Cleeve Hill on a cold early April morning, picking wild garlic in Dowdeswell Wood, the views from Hartley Hill and Coaley Peak, the lovely village of Painswick (great restaurants), Cam Long Down, Dyrham Park and the dramatic finale in Bath as you begin to get excited about the end – nothing can prepare you for turning the last corner and seeing the Abbey. The only bit we didn’t enjoy was trying to cross the A436 at the roundabout with the Air Balloon pub (near Cold Slad). It verged on the dangerous and I had to step out to stop the traffic as the only way to cross a dual carriageway safely. But that was a blip. Beyond the sense of achievement of walking over 100 miles through fantastic countryside was the 50 odd hours we spent together. We didn’t talk the whole way of course but in an age of mobile phones and game consoles walking was guaranteed family time. Next up in 2022, The Thames Path. Thanks to those who keep the path in excellent condition with superb signage. We are so lucky to have so many great routes to walk.