Winchcombe to Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle Circular Walk

A short walk leaving the town from Vineyard Street to Sudeley Castle, leaving via Castle exit into Rushley Lane and on to the outskirts of Winchcombe. Follow riverside path to Castle Street and town centre.

Leave Back Lane car park via the far corner access into Cowl Lane. Turn right and follow the road to the High Street. Turn right and follow Abbey Terrace until you see Vineyard Street on your left. Carefully cross the main street and continue down Vineyard Street (also known as Duck Street), over the bridge spanning the River Isbourne and up the slope to the entrance of Sudeley Castle A.

Continue ahead along the drive, passing the unusual Almsbury Lodge.

Walk down through the avenue of lime trees to the bridge over the lake. Carry straight on along the driveway, passing the children’s play fort on your right towards the car park. Follow the drive and pass in front of the Visitor Centre and continue on to the car park exit B.

Go through the gate and turn right along the road, until you reach the gatehouse.

Turn left and carefully cross the road into Rushley Lane. (Be careful of traffic along here). Follow this lane past Laundry Cottage, taking in the views across the valley to Winchcombe.

Eventually the lane turns left at the junction with Stancombe Lane. Follow the road as it turns left and walk down to the main Broadway Road and then turn left C. From here there are two options to return to the town centre:

Option 1 – Just before the bridge, go through the gate on your left and follow the surfaced path alongside the river. At the far end of the third field go through the gate and walk along the alley between the cottages to Castle Street D.

Turn right and follow the road over the bridge and uphill to the High Street. Carefully cross the road and turn left to the end of the stops and turn right into Cowl Lane and follow is to Back Lane car park.

Option 2 – To stay on a hard surface follow Broadway Road back into town with its variety of different style houses. Follow the road into Winchcombe, go past North Street, continue ahead into High Street until the end of the shops. Here turn right into Cowl Lane and follow to Back Lane car park.

Points of interest

Sudeley Castle
Katherine Parr the sixth wife of King Henry VIII is buried in the chapel which contains her marble tomb. During the Victorian period much of the castle was restored by the Dent family.

River Isbourne
Allegedly, the only river in England to flow north for its entire length. It emerges from a spring on Cleeve Common and joins the River Avon.

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.