The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens and the Ramblers lead guided walks some of which start from Winchcombe.
Details of walks available across the whole Cotswolds will be found on the website www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/visiting-and-exploring/guided-walks/ .
A summary of walks centred in or near to Winchcombe can be found listed alongside.
If extreme weather is forecast please phone 01451 862000 to check for any changes to the arrangements.
An Ecclesiastical Meander from Abbey to Church
Thursday 23rd February
Starting at the site of Winchcombe Abbey, we walk across the fields to the isolated gem of Charlton Abbots church, former outpost of the abbey. The return route down the Sudeley valley provides lovely views over the town. Bring snack/drink.
Start time: 10.00 am
Duration: 3 hrs
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Back Lane car park, Winchcombe (£1 all day).
Map: SP 024 285
Signs of Spring
Friday 3rd March
Signs of Spring – Hayles Walk- Friday 3rd March – Moderate 3hr 6ml
An invigorating walk from Hayles Fruit Farm, via Wood Stanway up the Cotswold escarpment to Stumps Cross and along an old drovers road. We take in the pretty hamlet of Farmcote, with great views before descending the stony track of the Cotswold Way on our return to Hayles.
Start time: 10.00 am
Duration: 3 hrs
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Hayles Fruit Farm, Hailes, GL54 5PB. Parking £2.50 refundable against purchases in café or shop.
Map: SP 053 297
Guiting Power to Naunton and Barton
Tuesday 7th March
A lovely walk from the historic village of Guiting Power. On the Diamond Way to Naunton by the river Windrush. Then onto Barton and Barton House. Refreshments available after the walk at the Farmers Arms or the café in the old post office. Please bring coffee/snack.
Start time: 10.00 am
Duration: 3 hrs
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Guiting Power village car park or nearby GL54 5TX
Map: SP 095 246
Walking the Ways 2 (of 5)
Tuesday 21st March
The second of five circular walks during the year exploring the Wardens’ and Windrush Ways. Each is a complete walk, so no need to commit to them all. The Ways run between Winchcombe and Bourton on the Water. Please bring refreshments for mid-morning and picnic lunch stops.
Start time: 10.00 am
Duration: 5 hrs
Distance: 8.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Hawling Methodist Chapel in Hawling, GL54 5SZ. Please park considerately in the village.
Map: SP 066 230
A Moreton Triangle
Thursday 30th March
The walk heads off through fields toward Batsford only to skirt the Arboretum and take the path to Bourton-on-the-Hill. Passing through the village the walk then follows the contour past Sezincote to Longborough, The Monarch’s Way leads us back to the starting point. The route is picturesque with plenty of views to enjoy; it is also a fairly flat route although in winter months mud may be an issue at points. Take drinks/snack. Refreshments available in Moreton afterwards.
Start time: 10.00 am
Duration: 3.5 hrs
Distance: 7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting Point: Moreton in Marsh War Memorial. Moreton has several car parks and on-street parking.
Map: SP 205 326
The majority of the walks listed here are researched and led by our Cotswold Voluntary Wardens and are ideal for those wanting to enjoy a couple of hours or even a whole day walking in the countryside. We recommend you always wear appropriate footwear as some walks may be muddy in places. Sorry, but only assistance dogs are allowed on the walks. Unless otherwise stated, all guided walks are free of charge, however donations are collected at the end which go towards helping to conserve and enhance the Cotswolds countryside.
Further details of these walks and other events taking place throughout the Cotswolds AONB can be found on their website.
The ‘Ramblers’ organisation, with around 140,000 members, runs a huge variety of walks throughout the UK each and every week of the year. To obtain full details of these walks both within Gloucestershire and other areas simply go onto their website at www.ramblers.org.uk or www.gloucestershirearearamblers.org.uk.
If you are not a member you are very welcome to come along on 2 or 3 of the advertised walks to see how you like them.
Every Sunday there is a free town walk starting at 11am and again at 2.30pm outside the TIC from April until the end of October led by a guide. The walks are a brief introduction to Winchcombe and are designed to be suitable for all ages.
The walk is less than a mile and the duration is approximately one hour.
If you would prefer a local specialist walking and cycling company with an intimate knowledge of the area and accommodation to organise your own walking itinerary.
W4Health-logoThere are regular “Walking for Health” walks every Thursday morning at 10.30am outside the Plaisterers Arms, Abbey Terrace.
No need to book, just turn up. For further information contact Avril Barnby.