The North Cotswold Diamond Way
Created to celebrate the Ramblers’ Association’s Diamond
Jubilee, this enjoyable circular trail explores the quintessential
scenery of the Cotswolds. Handsome stone villages and
charming market towns add a wealth of interest to this
delightful rural route.
Detailed information
| Detailed itinerary |
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64 miles with 9 to 11 miles and up to 1,480ft of ascent in
a day. |
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival day
Day 2: Bourton-on-the-Water to Adlestrop
Distance: 17½km (11 miles)
After leaving Bourton-on-the-Water our first port of call
is Wyck Rissington. This is an elegant village in two parts:
houses and farms clustered around the church, and cottages
surrounding a large green complete with Victorian drinking
fountain and duck pond. We enjoy some of the best views in
the area from the hilltop above the next village, Icomb, and
its associated Iron Age camp. We are soon well on our way
through the villages of Church Westcote, with its souvenirs
of pre-enclosure days; Bledington and its fascinating Norman
church; and Daylesford, once the home of the colonial administrator
Warren Hastings. Finally we arrive at Adlestrop, made famous
by Edward Thomas's poem of the same name (a copy of which
is attached to a seat in the bus shelter). This marks the
end of our first day's walking and we take the coach back
to our Country House accommodation.
Day 3: Adlestrop to Paxford
Distance: 17km (10½ miles)
Leaving our coach in Adlestrop we head for Evenlode, which
shares its name with the local river that, to some people,
forms the eastern boundary of the Cotswolds. Indeed our walk
follows the course of this river until we reach Moreton-in-Marsh.
This small town is situated on the Fosse Way and offers historical
relics from before and after its Roman days. We now follow
the railway through the historical sites and villages of Dorn,
Aston Magna, Neighbrook and ultimately Paxford where we meet
the coach for our return to our Country House accommodation.
Day 4: Paxford to Snowshill Road
Distance: 17½km (11 miles)
As we leave Paxford behind us, Ebrington (or "Yubberton"
as the locals call it) comes into view. We are soon heading
for Chipping Campden where we have a little time to explore.
In the afternoon we pass through Broad Campden as we push
on to Blockley. Blockley was once the site of six silk mills,
employing some 600 people, but has since reassumed the passive
atmosphere of a quiet Cotswold village. We continue by field
paths to Snowshill Road where our coach waits to take us back
to our Country House accommodation.
Day 5: Snowshill Road to Guiting Power
Distance: 17½km (11 miles)
From Snowshill Road we continue through the tiny hamlets of
Hinchwick and Ford. We then head south and follow the valley
of the River Windrush as it meanders through Temple Guiting
and then Guiting Power. Originally a royal manor belonging
to Edward the Confessor, Guiting Power is a peaceful village
and is the conclusion of today's walk.
Day 6: Guiting Power To Northleach
Distance: 17½km (11 miles)
We resume walking down the Windrush river valley as we head
for Naunton. Leaving the Windrush at this intriguing village
we strike out for Aylworth, Notgrove, Hazelton and Lower Dean,
each with interesting tales to tell. Our penultimate village,
Hamprett, once held a busy trade in Gretna Green style run-away
marriages and is only a short distance from today's final
stop, Northleach.
Day 7: Northleach to Bourton-on-the-Water
Distance: 14½km (9 miles)
Our final day begins with a look around Northleach, a town
founded on the Cotswold Wool industry and the passing London
to Gloucester and Cheltenham trade. Setting off through Upper
End and across the River Leach, we pass on to Farmington then
to Clapton-on-the-Hill via Goms Hole. Soon after Clapton,
Bourton-on-the-Water comes into view and spurs us on back
to our Country House accommodation - the finishing post of our six day journey.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
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| Dates and prices |
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| The North Cotwold Diamond Way |
Sat 26 April 2008 |
7 |
£539 |
| The North Cotwold Diamond Way |
Sat 23 August 2008 |
7 |
£609 |
Premium single & twin room supplement: £5 per person, per night
| Average temperatures |
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| April |
4°C |
13°C |
| Aug |
11°C |
21°C |
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Where you'll stay
You'll be based for the entire week in our fine Country House accommodation, Harrington
House, in the picturesque town of Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds. Each
day you and your party will be taken to the days starting point. No need to repack
your bags each day!
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