Prestbury to Winchcombe

Prestbury to Winchcombe

Bus stagecoach W service out & walk back

Start of the walk ascends the scarp before levelling out and decends into Winchcombe. Great views from Cleeve Common, an interesting walk.

Park in Back Lane car park and exit via the steps signposted Town Centre. Turn right at the High Street and follow the pavement along Abbey Terrace for 100 metres. Cross the road and catch the stagecoach W service to Cheltenham from the War Memorial on Abbey Terrace and alight at the High Street, Prestbury stop, opposite the Prestbury War Memorial.

Walk back about 200 metres to the mini-roundabout to follow Noverton Lane A. Continue in this direction, ignoring all other turnings. Where the main road bears left into Desert Orchid Way, continue straight ahead. The road becomes narrower and evolves into a stony track at Noverton Cottage. This track can contain running water in wet weather.

Ignoring small turns to gates, at a fork keep right and continue uphill until meeting the Cotswold Way at a T-junction B.

Here turn left and follow the well way-marked Cotswold Way along the scarp edge, enjoying views to the Black Mountains and the Malvern Hills. The path passes through two butterfly reserves which hold endangered species such as Duke of Burgundy and Small Blue together with specialised limestone flora.

Eventually the path moves away from the edge to reach a trig point and a topogragh. Bear left and descend the grassy slope and continue to follow the Cotswold Way signs. Pass Cleeve Hill Golf Club clubhouse (refreshments available) and turn right to follow the Cotswold Way along a good track, pass through one gate to reach a second C.

Go through this second gate and bear left, leaving the Cotswold Way, and shortly pass through another gate to walk down a gently sloping but stony track (the former Cheltenham Road) to arrive at the beginning of a drive to Postlip Hall.

Cross this drive and walk carefully on the grass verge alongside the B4632 road for 150 metres before turning right onto a tarmac road signposted ‘Postlip Mill’ D.

After 250 metres turn left through a gate and follow the stone path above the mill buildings to descend to another gate.Turn left to follow a track, where the main track bears left E, go straight on and rise up to a gate ahead, pass through and follow this footpath with a hedge on your right to reach a road. Continue ahead in the same direction along the pavement to arrive back at the start in Abbey Terrace.

WWaW hope you enjoy the walk, however the walk is undertaken at your sole risk and WWaW have no responsibility for loss, damage, injury or interpretation. Every possible care has been taken to ensure the information given was accurate at the time of creation.