Nice walk in the Cotswolds. Where would you go?

[ADelicateFlower]

A friend and I want to meet outside.
Where is good in/around the Cotswolds for a walk?

Boughton on the water

how hilly, how muddy, how far, travelling from where?

Ok Bourton on the Water...

Ok hilly, pref not too muddy...

Eastnor if you can walk in the grounds of the folly (castle).

Oooh, not that muddy really. Those light Jurassic oolites across the Cotswolds are easy walking in any season. Chalky and sandy at Snowshill which is why the lavender thrive. The heavier clays as you move across into Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire are the annoying cleat lodgers.

Park up in Chipping Camden. Take the road out of the small market town, away westwards up Dyers Lane to the crossroads at Dover's Hill. You can tarry a while on Dover's Hill, looking North and down into the Vale of Evesham, enjoy that low Winter light, watching the sheep graze among the hawthorns. You have seen that scene before on a famous Christmas card the setting sun, snow, sheep "Winter's Light". Then turn back and head West towards Broadway Tower but you may wish to walk along the top roads to get there (perfectly safe as only minor white roads). Tarmac gives you traction. Or about half a kilometre take the Cotswold Way (bridleway) which shoots off left about 30 degrees to track the road. Not a muddy walk, but you have more trees to enjoy too. Either way you reach the main road and can cross it there and continue on 'the Buckle' to reach the Tower. If Arts & Crafts are your thing then fill your boots. William Morris is there.

Instead, after leaving Dover's Hill, stay on the road and when you reach the Y in the road split left then at the end turn right to the Dormy House - about 1.5 miles from Dover's Hill. Great views along the way. Enjoy a meal or chill out on a sofa with a coffee or sandwich (subject to lockdown etc). They will also let you tarry there. If carbs are not your thing, you can walk down the steep fields to Broadway, before walking back up the hill to Chipping Camden to rejoin your car.

Choices, choices, choices. There is also this one. After parking up, walk back East to the Church. It is beautiful. There used to be an open ed ledger where the names, ranks and deaths of all those who served and died are recorded. It is all very moving. You can then walk back into the town and do Dover's Hill. If you like shopping there is the late Robert Welch's shop.

That's just Chipping Camden. There is also Snowshill, the Cotswold Farm Park.....and.....

Ooh @Tessiot I grew up near Chipping Campden and went to school there and that lyrical description just made me feel so homesick!

Slad valley near Stroud and you can stop for lunch at the Woolpack pub.

@Quornflakegirl

Slad valley near Stroud and you can stop for lunch at the Woolpack pub.

It's closed! First time in it's whole history!

@FlatterNow

I know. That section, like so many other places in the UK, has its own charm. As you walk out towards Dover's Hill, the thatched house on the left set on its own with the low garden wall. Everyone looks at it...:)

I also love the high lane if you turn right at the Crossroads. Along there are some paddocks dropping down from the stone wall. When our first child was born, we drove out there. She was five weeks old and it was a beautiful June morning, the sun kissing warm, not hot and windless, just light fresh air and the smell of new flowers. We entered one of those paddocks and lay a picnic on the grass at the edge of the cut hay. We looked down onto the village and all was tranquil. It was like one of life's milestones had been completed. The farmer came to turn the hay. One of those little blue Ford tractors you rarely see now. We thought we would get told off, but he saw the child seat, entered gently and left the field without turning the hay about us. Our daughter looking up at the leaves and sunlight moving, listening to the swish of the hay making in the meadow. Not a sound from her. Not a peep, just loving it all and taking it all in.

I have seen Sade in the Woolpack! Slad is also amazing.

Wow! Thank you so much for all your help!
We postponed as her car has broken down but def on the cards for next weekend. Chipping Camden it is! Huge thanks for the brilliant descriptions, I can’t wait to go!