Cotswolds AONB

Local events
Explore the
Cotswolds
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
A comprehensive list of events in the Cotswolds AONB area can be found
on our website: http://www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/events
3 January 2013: Roman Standards – A family drop-in at Corinium Museum
January to mid March: Snowdrop season at
Painswick Rococo Garden
Every Sat and Sun in February, plus 2 and 3 March
2013: Snowdrop weekends at Colesbourne Park
6/7 April 2013: Cotswold Way Challenge
The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful areas of England, known and
loved by people across the world. Its distinctive golden buildings and stone
walls, rolling grasslands, beech woods and captivating villages make it an
outstanding landscape.
By PuBliC TraNSPorT
Visit ‘Escape to the Cotswolds’, the discovery centre for the Cotswolds Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located in The Old Prison on the A429 at
Northleach. Open April to October, Wednesdays to Saturdays and Bank
Holidays, 11am to 4pm. Free admission (donations very welcome).
l Places to see, things to do
l Bus and train route maps
l Great taster days out
The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
May 2013: Badminton Horse Trials
May 2013: Winchcombe Walking Festival
Spring 2013: Batsford Arboretum Spring flowers
in bloom
l Cotswold Way National Trail
access points and route plan
WORCESTER
December 2012 - May 2013
Visitor Information Centres
Information centres in and around the Cotswolds can provide details
about cycle hire, horse riding, guided coach and walking tours, caravan and
campsites and other accommodation. Note: some smaller centres may
close during the winter months and in some instances queries are handled
by the local authority.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Tel: 01451 820211
Bradford-on-Avon Tel: 01225 865797
Broadway Tel: 01386 852937
Burford Tel: 01993 823558
Cheltenham Tel: 01242 522878
Chippenham Tel: 01249 665970
Chipping Campden
Tel: 01386 841206
Chipping Norton Tel: 01993 813276
Chipping Sodbury Tel: 01454 888686
Cirencester Tel: 01285 654180
Evesham Tel: 01386 446944
Gloucester Tel: 01452 396572
Malmesbury Tel: 01666 823748
BOURTON-ON
-THE-WATER
Nailsworth Tel: 01453 839222
Oxford Tel: 01865 252200
Painswick Tel: 07503 516924
(Summer only) or 01453 760900
Stratford-upon-Avon
Tel: 01789 268826
Stroud Tel: 01453 760960
or 01453 760900
Online information
available for:
Stow-on-the-Wold
Tel: 01451 870150
Tetbury Tel: 01666 503552
Tewkesbury Tel: 01684 855040
Winchcombe Tel: 01242 602925
Witney Tel: 01993 775802
Woodstock Tel: 01993 813276
Wotton-under-Edge
Tel: 01453 521541
Youth Hostels
Hostels are located in Bath, Oxford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Stratfordupon-Avon. For full details contact the Youth Hostel Association,
tel: 0870 870 8808, website: www.yha.org.uk
Cotswolds Conservation Board, Fosse Way,
Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH
Tel: 01451 862000 Fax: 01451 862001
Email: info@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Website: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this booklet but the
Cotswolds Conservation Board can accept no responsibility for accidents, losses, delays or
difficulties resulting from the use of the information in this guide.
CotsAONB/05.12/7.6k
Bath Tel: 0906 711 2000
(calls charged at 60p per minute)
Moreton-in-Marsh
Tel: 01608 650881
Design/production: www.publicityproject.co.uk
Banbury Tel: 01295 753752
MORETON
-IN-MARSH
WINCHCOMBE
Save money with our new Cotswolds
Discoverer bus and rail ticket - see page 8
Check out our new online timetables at:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
Enjoy the Cotswolds
Gateways to the Cotswolds by bus, train & coach
This is the thirteenth issue of this popular and widely acclaimed series of
‘Explore the Cotswolds’ guides. Published by the Cotswolds Conservation
Board, they are designed to promote sustainable transport for visitors and
the local community, using the network of trains and rural buses that serves
most of the Cotswolds throughout the year.
For the latest timetable information and route maps,
go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
NEW online timetables accompany this guide covering the northern, central
and southern parts of the Cotswolds, which can be viewed at:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
Trains to/from Birmingham
New Street, Birmingham
Snow Hill and Hereford
Most of the Cotswolds can be reached using public transport, and travelling
by bus and train is a great way to see more of the beautiful countryside and
fascinating towns and villages of this area.
Trains to/from Birmingham Moor
Street and Birmingham Snow Hill
The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is the largest of
46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland covering 2,038 sq km/787
sq miles and is the second largest protected landscape in England after the
Lake District National Park.
The Cotswolds Conservation Board works to conserve and enhance the
natural beauty of the Cotswolds as well as to increase understanding and
enjoyment of the area. The Board’s Voluntary Wardens organise a programme
of free guided walks throughout the area – look out for details in the
Cotswold Lion newspaper or visit: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk.
Trains to/from Birmingham
New Street and Bristol
The area attracts
visitors all year round
and is a fascinating
place to explore.
Charming villages,
historic towns,
impressive churches
and rolling countryside.
It is ideal for walking,
cycling and riding with
a mixture of short,
circular and long
distance paths, country
roads and bridleways.
Look out for locally
produced goods including a wide range of food which you can buy from
farmers’ markets and farm shops. You can choose from many local arts and
crafts, and visit historic churches, country houses and glorious gardens.
Further information: visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk for full details
of walking, cycling and visiting the Cotswolds including downloadable routes,
guided walks and events listing.
Cotswolds Conservation Board
Fosse Way, Northleach
Gloucestershire GL54 3JH
Tel: 01451 862000 Fax: 01451 862001
Email: info@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Website: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Trains to/from
Cardiff Central
Bibury
Trains to/from London
Paddington, Birmingham
New Street, Reading and
Southampton
Trains to/from
Exeter, Cardiff,
Birmingham
and London
Paddington
Trains to/from London
Paddington and Bristol
Key
Trains to/from Bristol Temple
Meads, London Paddington,
Weymouth, Dorchester and Yeovil
Access to the Cotswold Way
National Trail
Access to the Thames Path
National Trail
Find out more about attractions, places to visit and things to do in the
Cotswolds AONB by visiting www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk
These symbols are used on the following pages –
London Victoria Coach Station/Heathrow to Bath via Chippenham
London Victoria Coach Station/Heathrow to Cheltenham, Gloucester and Hereford via Cirencester
NX403
NX444/NX445
LONG DISTANCE COACHES – NATIONAL EXPRESS
TRAINS
Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: ]]] FREquENT (one or more buses per hour per day)
]] REGuLAR (buses every one to three hours per day)
] INFREquENT (three or less buses per day) D = Also operates as a demand responsive service at times
]]]
]]
Dursley
24
12/91
Gloucester
Stagecoach in Gloucester
]]
Bourton-on-the-Water
855
Kemble
Pulhams Coaches
]]
Cirencester
852
Gloucester
Pulhams Coaches
]]
Broadway
606
Cheltenham
Castleways
]]
Dursley
Cam & Dursley Stn
Cotswold Green
Cirencester
Stroud
210
54/54A
FROM GLOuCESTERSHIRE
27
Tetbury
Cotswold Green
]]
]
Cotswold Centre for Volunteer Services
]]
Old Sodbury
Wessex Connect
Old Sodbury
Bath
Mikes Travel
Dursley
Bristol
224
FROM BRISTOL, BATH AND SuRROuNDING AREAS
620
]]
]]]
Lechlade/Cirencester
74/77
Swindon
APL Travel
]]
Cirencester/Cheltenham
Swindon
Stagecoach in Swindon
Malmesbury/Yate
Swindon
51
41
FROM WILTSHIRE
Milton-under-Wychwood
C1
Charlbury
Andybus
]]]
]
Go Ride CIC
]]]
Charlbury
S3
Oxford
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
]]]
Milton-under-Wychwood
233
Witney
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
]
Chipping Norton
X9
Witney
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
]]
Gloucester
Swanbrook Coaches
]D
Oxford
853
50/50A
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stagecoach Oxfordshire/in Warwickshire
]]]
Banbury
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Carterton
Milton-under-Wychwood
Chipping Norton
X8
Oxford
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
23
S1/NS1/S2/NS2
FROM OXFORDSHIRE
]]
]]]
Stagecoach in Warwickshire
Stratford-upon-Avon
Coventry
16/X17
Cheltenham
Moreton-in-Marsh
Pulhams Coaches
Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel
Moreton-in-Marsh
Stratford-upon-Avon
801
FROM WARWICKSHIRE
559
21/22/23
Evesham
Castleways
]]]
Willersey
First Wyvern
Evesham
Worcester
Veolia Transport
Cheltenham
Evesham
550/551
540
FROM WORCESTERSHIRE
BuSES
Route
Operator
]]
This is a list of just some of the places to see and things to do in and around
the Cotswolds AONB, when travelling by public transport. Contact Visitor
Information Centres (listed in this guide on the final fold in page), or the
place you want to visit, for more details including opening times.
]]]
For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
]]
Places to see, things to do
Frequency
Gateways to the Cotswolds by bus, train & coach
Parks/gardens
Special interest
Museum
Ancient site
Refreshments
Toilets
National Trust
Wheelchair access
Historic house/building
Restaurant
Gift/plant shop
Limited wheelchair access
Colours of number circles relate to areas of the AONB and timetable
information pages on www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel –
Northern area
Central area
Southern area
Numbers within circles refer to locations shown on maps.
1
Kiftsgate Court Garden – The gardens at Kiftsgate Court offer a wonderful
combination of vivid colour and heady scent in the summer borders,
gentle white blooms in the tranquil sunken garden, and a pretty foursquare garden edged with
box. The gardens were
planted in the late 19th
and early 20th Centuries
and continue to evolve.
The bluebell wood is a
breathtaking sight in early
May. Getting there: nearest
train station – Moreton-inMarsh. Take the 21/22 bus,
alight at Mickleton. 4.8km/3
mile return walk to the
gardens. www.kiftsgate.
co.uk Chipping Campden,
Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01386 438777.
2
Wellington Aviation–This small museum is dedicated to those who
served or passed through RAF Moreton-in-Marsh, on the RAF bomber
command courses. Memories are kept alive with the vast range of
artefacts from the war years and beyond. Propellers and wheels are lined
up outside the building, along with a casing tail section showing the
Barnes Wallis designed geodetic structure responsible for the aircraft’s
strength and ease of repair.
Many ex-personnel call today for information on those who served there
over sixty years ago. The museum has numerous prints for sale including
a view of the market square on Normandy Embarkation day 1944. Getting
there: 21/22, 23, 801 or 855 bus, alight at Moreton-in-Marsh.
www.wellingtonaviation.org Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01608 650323.
1
4
5
Hidcote – Hidcote Manor Garden has its
origins in the Arts and Crafts movement
and is regarded as one of the most
influential gardens of the 20th Century. It
is designed as a series of outdoor rooms
divided by clipped hedges and walls.
Each area has its own character, whether
devoted to a particular species, colour or
mood, or as a profusion of cottage-style
planting. Getting there: 21/22 bus, alight
at Mickleton. 4.8km/3 mile return walk to
the gardens (route is uphill and steep).
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote
Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01386 438333.
Southern bus & train route map
For the latest timetable information and route maps,
go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
©NTPL/Paul Harris
3
Court Barn Museum – A celebration of the
talented designers and craftspeople who
have worked in Chipping Campden and
the north Cotswolds since the beginning
of the twentieth century. This is a story
of the Arts and Crafts movement and its
legacy. Find out how a small town became
a gathering place for designers and
craftspeople of national and international
reputation, including C.R. Ashbee, Gordon
Russell, Hart Silversmiths and Robert
Welch. Events and exhibitions are held
throughout the year. Getting there: 21/22/
608 bus, alight at Chipping Campden.
www.courtbarn.org.uk Chipping
Campden, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386
841951.
Mill Dene – RHS
recommended. Mill Dene is
an ancient Cotswold watermill surrounded by a 2.5 acre
garden. The garden is in a little
valley which follows a stream,
passing willows and a grotto
on its way. The terraces of the
garden start at 500’ and rise to
550’, from a Rose Walk passing
a tiny cricket lawn to the Herb
garden at the top. The village
Church is the back drop to the garden. Lunches and teas can be enjoyed
by the mill pond watching the trout and the kingfisher. Getting there:
21/22 bus, alight at Blockley. www.milldenegarden.co.uk Moreton-inMarsh, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 700457.
6
Sezincote House and Gardens – www.sezincote.co.uk
Bourton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01386 700444.
7
Broadway Tower – www.broadwaytower.co.uk
Broadway, Worcestershire. Tel: 01386 852390.
2
Tetbury
Busy, charming
old wool town.
Antiques centre,
specialist cheese
shops
Dursley
Busy market town
with good walking
opportunities and on
the Cotswold Way
31
30
Wotton-under-Edge
A busy town and former centre
for the woollen industry.
Heritage centre
TO SWINDON
32
Westonbirt
Year round
delight from
bluebells in
the Spring to
Autumn fire
in the maple
glade
33 34
35
Key
36
Access to the Thames Path
National Trail
37
Frequent buses and
trains between Bristol
and Bath
38
Bath
A beautiful
city and World
Heritage site – visit
Prior Park with its
own bus link
21
Access to the Cotswold Way
National Trail
39
Bradford-on-Avon
Attractive riverside
town. Ancient bridge
over the Avon. Historic
Tithe Barn
40
30
Tetbury Police Museum
31
Cotswold Water Park
32
Westonbirt Arboretum
33
Abbey House Gardens
34
Athelstan Museum
35
Malmesbury Abbey
36
Dyrham Park
37
Chippenham Museum
38
Roman Baths
39
Prior Park Landscape Garden
40
Barton Farm Country Park
22
You can cover a fair bit of ground in a ride and still find the secret places
inaccessible to cars and public transport. It’s also great fun! You may find
you have to get off for short stretches.
Please wear a helmet and be aware of changing conditions. Off-road
riding is much easier in frozen or dry conditions than when the mud is
wet, but not necessarily more fun! Riding a bicycle is permitted on public
roads, byways, restricted byways and bridleways but not footpaths, please
be considerate of other users.
WHAT YOu’LL SEE ON YOuR JOuRNEY:
A circular route, starting from the ‘Escape to the Cotswolds’ discovery
centre at the Old Police Station, Northleach, passing through Turkdean,
Cold Aston, Notgrove, Hazleton, Compton Abdale, Yanworth and back
to Northleach. There is a shorter mini loop by taking a cut through on
a restricted byway between Turkdean and Hazleton which is not only a
good ride in its own right, but it creates an almost completely off road ride
when combined with the northern loop.
For detailed downloadable map and directions, visit:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on ‘Cycling & Riding’.
See Central area rail and bus timetables online at:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
19
20
]] REGuLAR (buses every one to three hours per day)
Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway – www.gwsr.com
Toddington, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 621405.
9
Hailes Abbey – www.english-heritage.org.uk
Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 602398.
10
Winchcombe Folk and Police Museum – www.winchcombemuseum.org.uk
Winchcombe, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 609151.
11
Winchcombe Railway Museum and Gardens –
www.winchcomberailwaymuseum.co.uk Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01242 609305.
12
Sudeley Castle – www.sudeleycastle.co.uk Winchcombe,
Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 602308.
13
Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection –
www.cotswold-motor-museum.co.uk Bourton-on-the-Water,
Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 821255.
14
Model Village – www.theoldnewinn.co.uk Bourton-on-the-Water,
Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 820467.
15
Birdland Park and Gardens – A natural setting on the River Windrush
with over 500 birds from around the world and the only group of King
Penguins in the uK. Flamingos, cranes, pelicans and storks can be seen
in this natural water habitat, with over 50
aviaries of parrots, hornbills, kookaburras,
ibis and many more. Many form part of
European breeding programmes. Visit the
Desert House, Discovery Zone, Encounter
Zone, Penguin Café, picnic areas, play areas
and gift shop.
The 2.5 acre Marshmouth Nature Reserve,
supported by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust,
was opened this year. Otters and water voles
inhabit the site and over 60 species of bird
have been recorded.
Get involved with special event days such
as: Feed a Penguin/Keeper for the Day/Bird
of Prey Days/Reptile Awareness Days/Meet
a Keeper.
Getting there: Alight at Bourton-on-the-Water
via the 801 or 855 bus. A five minute walk. www.birdland.co.uk
Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01451 820480.
TRAINS
Refreshments: many excellent places to eat, drink and rest along the
way.
Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: ]]] FREquENT (one or more buses per hour per day)
] INFREquENT (three or less buses per day)
Attractions: Escape to the Cotswolds discovery centre, open fields, secret
valleys, great views, bridleways, woods, dry stone walls and some great
off roading.
Old Sodbury
Tetbury/Stroud
Malmesbury/Yate
Cirencester/Swindon
Marshfield
Wotton-under-Edge
Chippenham
Cirencester
Cam & Dursley Station
Dursley
Bath
Dursley
Tormarton
Chippenham
Tetbury
Getting there: easily accessible by
bus no. 801 or 855 (Pulhams Coaches)
or 853 (Swanbrook) although you
will need to double check if they
are happy to carry bicycles – see the
Central timetable pages of www.
escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel,
visit www.traveline.org.uk or call
0871 200 2233.
For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
5.63km/16.5 miles, shorter mini
ride also available. Grade: varied
- sections on and off road, can
be muddy when wet, with good
ascents/descents.
Cotswold Centre for Volunteer Services
Cotswold Green
Andybus
Stagecoach in Swindon
Faresaver
Wessex Connect
AD-Rains Coaches
Andybus
Cotswold Green
Mikes Travel
Wessex Connect
Wessex Connect
Faresaver
Faresaver
Cotswold Green
]
]]
]]
]]]
]
]]]
]]
]]]
]]
]]
]]
]]
]
]]
]]
This cycle ride takes you around the high wold with
its open fields and secret valleys. It also dips down
into the upper Leach and Coln valleys giving you
both contrasting landscapes and good descents,
plus ascents too! Please try to get to it on your bike if
possible.
Route
Tetbury
Yate
Swindon
Cheltenham
Bath
Yate
Malmesbury
Chippenham
Dursley
Bristol
Old Sodbury
Bristol
Wick
Bristol
Cirencester
Northleach Hazleton on and off-road
Southern bus routes
BuSES
27
29
41
51
79
84/86
91
92/93
210
224
620
626
634
635
881
TASTER DAY OuT – by bike
8
16
Bourton Model Railway – www.bourtonmodelrailway.co.uk
High Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01451 820686.
3
17
Dragonfly Maze – Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01451 822251.
18
Blenheim Palace–The
birthplace of Sir Winston
Churchill – a masterpiece
of English Baroque
architecture, designed by
Sir John Vanbrugh. See
gilded state rooms and
the elegant Long Library.
The Palace is set in 2,100
acres of spectacular
parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and surrounded by sweeping
lawns and formal gardens. Getting there: Take the S3 bus to the gates of
Blenheim Palace on Hensington Road in Woodstock. Please ask the driver
to identify the appropriate stop. The bus runs every 30 minutes.
www.blenheimpalace.com Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Tel: 0800 849 6500.
19
Gloucester Cathedral – A warm
welcome awaits you at Gloucester
Cathedral. This glorious sacred
space has been a place of Christian
worship for over 1,300 years. It is
one of the finest medieval buildings
in the country, the burial place of
royalty and the city’s main heritage
attraction.
Central bus & train route map
For the latest timetable information and route maps,
go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
TO WORCESTER
Frequent trains and buses
between Gloucester and
Cheltenham
Burford
An ancient wool town on
the River Windrush. Visit the
Norman and Gothic church.
Tolsey Museum of local
history in the 16th Century
merchants’ meeting place
Painswick
Queen of the
Cotswolds – 15th
Century church
with 99 yew
trees. Originally
a wool town and
centre for cloth
dyeing
21
Bibury
Visit Arlington Row, a group
of 17th-Century weavers’
houses. Exceptionally
beautiful church, part Saxon
22
25
26
Trace 1,000 years of architectural
styles from Norman through
Perpendicular to the present day, including magnificent stained glass,
royal tombs, and the spectacular medieval fan-vaulted cloisters. Getting
there: Take the 12/91, 14, 852 or 853 bus, alight at Gloucester.
www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk College Green, Gloucester. Tel: 01452 528095.
20
21
Holst Birthplace Museum – The
museum is a memorial to Holst,
one of England’s most respected
composers, best known for his work
The Planets. The story of the man
and his music is told alongside
a fascinating display of personal
belongings including his piano. It is
one of only two composer birthplace
museums in the country (the other
being Elgar’s). Visitors may learn more of Holst’s life, his music, his
family and friendships, whilst being reminded of domestic life at the end
of the 19th Century. See website for opening hours. Getting there: located
in the centre of Cheltenham which has many regular bus services.
www.holstmuseum.org.uk Clarence Road, Cheltenham. Tel: 01242 524846.
The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash–www.thebirdpark.co.uk Cranham,
Gloucestershire. Tel: 01452 812727.
4
24
23
27 28
29
Cirencester
Capital of the Cotswolds
and the second largest city
in Roman Britain. Visit the
Corinium museum. Fine
parish church, the largest in
Gloucestershire. Cirencester
Park has 3,000 acres of
parkland, woodland and
farms
TO MALMESBURY
Tetbury
Busy, charming old
wool town. Antiques
centre, specialist
cheese shops
Key
Access to the Cotswold Way
National Trail
Access to the Thames Path
National Trail
17
19
Gloucester Cathedral
20
Holst Birthplace Museum
24
21
The Bird and Deer Park,
Prinknash
Keith Harding’s World of
Mechanical Music
Bibury Trout Farm
22
25
Painswick Rococo Garden
23
26
27
Chedworth Roman Villa
Cotswold Woollen Weavers
18
Corinium Museum
28
Cirencester Park
29
Chavenage House
TASTER DAY OuT – on foot
Central bus routes
Back on the walk route, you will come to old weavers’ cottages along the
graceful flight of Chipping Steps where the unemployed used to offer their
services at Mop Fairs. Striking out on the walk route past allotments into
open countryside takes you steadily upwards to a point where you can
best appreciate the graceful spire on the parish church which dates from
medieval times and was beautifully restored in the 1990s.
If you have more time to spare, Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south
of Tetbury and has one of the largest collections of trees and shrubs in the
world.
For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”.
See Central and Southern area rail and bus timetables online at:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
15
23
Chedworth Roman Villa–www.nationaltrust.org.uk Yanworth,
nr Northleach, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 890256.
24
Keith Harding’s World of Mechanical Music –
www.mechanicalmusic.co.uk High Street, Northleach, Gloucestershire.
Tel: 01451 860181.
25
Bibury Trout Farm – One of
Britain’s oldest, and certainly
most attractive, trout farms,
spanning 15 acres in one of
the most beautiful valleys
in the Cotswolds, the Coln
Valley.
16
Children will delight in
seeing the trout leap out of
the water in their quest for
food thrown by visitors – be
careful not to get splashed!
In the summer, our ‘Catch
Your Own’ fishery is an ideal
opportunity for the more adventurous of all ages to catch some supper
or try a new hobby.
A large variety of other wildlife can be seen – cygnets and ducklings are
a very popular sight. Getting there: Take the 860, 861, 865 or 866 bus to
Bibury, stops right outside. www.biburytroutfarm.co.uk
Bibury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01285 740215.
TRAINS
Take in the wider atmosphere of the town with its distinctive curving
streets and fascinating Jacobean and Elizabethan facades by diverting
briefly down Long Street. The Tetbury Police Museum is worth a visit.
For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
WHAT YOu’LL SEE ON
YOuR JOuRNEY:
Route
Gloucester
Gloucester
Stroud
Stroud
Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Stroud
Swindon
Cirencester
Dursley
Bristol
Bristol
Wotton-under-Edge
Cheltenham
Gloucester
Oxford
Cirencester
Bourton-on-the-Water
Lechlade
Cirencester
Refreshments: A wide selection of offerings in Tetbury.
BuSES
12/91
14
20
40
46
51
54/54A
74/77
93
210
224
309/310/311
504
801
852
853
854
855
865
881
Walk: 5.7km/3.5 miles. Allow two hours. Grade: easy with short climbs
and some stiles.
Dursley
Stroud
uley
Wotton-under-Edge
Nailsworth
Cirencester/Swindon
Cirencester
Lechlade/Cirencester
Malmesbury
Cam & Dursley Station
Dursley
Dursley
Stroud
Moreton-in-Marsh
Cirencester
Gloucester
Yanworth/Winson
Kemble
Cirencester
Tetbury
Operator
Stagecoach in Gloucester
Stagecoach in Gloucester
Stagecoach in Gloucester
Cotswold Green
Stagecoach in Gloucester
Stagecoach in Swindon
Cotswold Green
APL Travel
Andybus
Cotswold Green
Mikes Travel
First in Bristol, Bath and the West
Stagecoach in Gloucester
Pulhams Coaches
Pulhams Coaches
Swanbrook
Pulhams Coaches
Pulhams Coaches
APL Travel
Cotswold Green
Attractions: An old woollen town noted for its architectural interest and
dominated by one of the tallest spires in the country.
]] REGuLAR (buses every one to three hours per day)
Getting there by bus: easily accessible by bus no. 881 (Cotswold Green)
from Cirencester or bus no. 29 (Cotswold Green) from Yate – see the
Southern timetable pages of www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel,
visit www.traveline.org.uk or call 0871 200 2233.
Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: ]]] FREquENT (one or more buses per hour per day)
] INFREquENT (three or less buses per day)
It’s hard not to be tempted by all that historic Tetbury
has to offer. This walk takes in both the elegant town
and a swathe of the lush surrounding countryside.
The walk starts in the
centre of the town
at the local icon, the
Market Hall which
dates from 1655 and
has served as a market
place, fire station and
gaol. On its roof is a
cupola containing a
bell surmounted by a
weather vane featuring
a pair of dolphins
which has become the
unofficial coat of arms
for the town.
Painswick Rococo Garden
– The sole surviving garden
in the English Rococo style.
Planted as a flamboyant
pleasure garden in the
1740s the garden has
been the subject of a
remarkable restoration
project. It features long
vistas, geometric patterns
and intriguing architectural
garden structures. The woodland is carpeted with a spectacular
display of snowdrops early in the year. Electric assist bikes
available for hire to explore the surrounding Cotswolds
countryside: www.painswickpedals.co.uk Getting there: Take
the 46 bus, alight at Painswick. Just north of Painswick opposite
Golf Course Lane, just off the Cotswold Way www.rococogarden.org.uk
Painswick, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01452 813204.
Frequency
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Tetbury town and country
22
26
Cotswold Woollen Weavers – www.naturalbest.co.uk
Filkins, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01367 860491.
27
Corinium Museum – www.cotswold.gov.uk/go/museum Cirencester,
Gloucestershire. Tel: 01285 655611.
5
28
Cirencester Park – www.cirencesterpark.co.uk Cirencester,
Gloucestershire. Tel: 01285 640410.
29 Chavenage House – www.chavenage.com
Tel: 01666 502329.
30
31
32
Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
Moreton-in-Marsh
An ancient market
town with a wide
market street
Broadway
A beautiful village,
typical of the area.
Charles II and
Cromwell rested at
the Lygon Arms
Cotswold Water Park – Britain’s
largest water park with 140 lakes
– lakeside nature walks, trails,
bird watching, cycling, angling,
sailing and swimming. Call into
the Gateway Centre for local
information and maps. Open 7
days a week. Getting there: 51/151
bus. Alight at South Cerney.
www.waterpark.org
Tel: 01793 752413.
4
7
Blockley
Chipping Norton
An old wool town with 17th
Century stone buildings. Look out
for the Guildhall windows with
their Tudor origins. Beautiful
church – St Mary’s
5
11
Westonbirt Arboretum–www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 880220.
Abbey House Gardens – www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk Malmesbury,
Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 822212.
34
Athelstan Museum – www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk
Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 829258.
35
Malmesbury Abbey – www.malmesburyabbey.com
Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Tel: 01666 826666.
36
Dyrham Park – www.nationaltrust.org.uk Dyrham, nr Chippenham,
Wiltshire. Tel: 0117 9372501.
37
Chippenham Museum – www.chippenham.gov.uk
Chippenham, Wiltshire. Tel: 01249 705020.
38
Bath - Roman Baths – www.romanbaths.co.uk Tel: 01225 477785.
40
For the latest timetable information and route maps,
go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
Buses and trains
to Worcester
Tetbury Police Museum – www.visittetbury.co.uk/police-museum
Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 504670.
33
39
Northern bus & train route map
Barton Farm Country Park – www.wiltshire.gov.uk Bradford-on-Avon,
Wiltshire. Tel: 01225 713425.
6
6
12
Warden’s Way and The
Windrush Way
Two excellent walks between
Winchcombe and Bourtonon-the-Water
Charlbury
A rural town, small
museum. Brunel railway
station. Once a centre of
the glove making industry
15
18
Bourton-on-theWater
Beside the River
Windrush with its
five bridges
Northleach
An ancient wool town.
Some cottages date
from the 17th Century.
Beautiful wool church
Key
Prior Park Landscape Garden – www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bath.
Tel: 01225 833422.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Highest of the
Cotswold towns
with an impressive
market square
Access to the Cotswold
Way National Trail
1
Kiftsgate Court Garden
2
Wellington Aviation
TO CIRENCESTER
3
Hidcote
4
Court Barn Museum
5
Mill Dene Garden
6
Sezincote House and
Gardens
7
Broadway Tower
13
8
GloucestershireWarwickshire Railway
12
Sudeley Castle
16
Bourton Model Railway
9
Hailes Abbey
13
17
Dragonfly Maze
10
Winchcombe Folk and
Police Museum
Cotswold Motoring
Museum and Toy
Collection
18
14
Model Village
11
Winchcombe Railway
Museum and Garden
15
Birdland Park and
Gardens
14
Blenheim Palace
Northern bus routes
TASTER DAY OuT – on foot
From here, you can follow bridleways south down the picturesque valley
and take your pick from return journeys to give you total walking distances
of about 4km (2.5 miles), 5.6km (3.5 miles) or 7.2km (4.5 miles).
If you want to go a bit further outside the village, you might be tempted
by two establishments that have earned it wide fame. Marshfield Bakery
(near the M4) sends its speciality cakes and biscuits across the uK and
beyond, and has a shop. The nearby family-run Marshfield Ice Cream
might tempt you with 26 flavours all produced from its own dairy herd.
But farm visits need to be organised in groups so ring first (01225 891221).
You can also buy your ice cream in the village.
6
See Southern area rail and bus timetables online at:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
5
4
11
15
For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”.
12
Days out and short break information sheets for the trail are downloadable
at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Cotswold basing yourself in Bath, Stroud or
Cheltenham, starting from and returning to these places.
CHIPPING
CAMPDEN
9.6km/6 miles
BROADWAY
Northern area
10.5km/6.5 miles
WOOD STANWAY
8.8km/5.4 miles
LECKHAMPTON
Central
area
WINCHCOMBE
CLEEVE HILL
8.9km/5.5 miles
7.6km/4.7 miles
PAINSWICK
9km/5.6 miles
DOWDESWELL RESERVOIR
BIRDLIP
9km/5.6 miles
13.9km/8.6 miles
12.6km/7.8 miles
KING’S STANLEY
11.6km/7.2 miles
DURSLEY
11.8km/7.3 miles
WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE
Southern area
18
The A420 by-pass that skirts Marshfield gives it an essentially peaceful
High Street with a small selection of local traders – everything from a
homewares shop to householders offering free range duck eggs.
The illustration below shows how the Cotswold Way is split across three
areas in this booklet and on the new online timetables at
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel.
11.9km/7.4 miles
HAWKESBURY UPTON
12.4km/7.7 miles
TORMARTON
10.6km/6.6 miles
TRAINS
WHAT YOu’LL SEE ON YOuR JOuRNEY:
Frequency – Monday to Saturday daytime: ]]] FREquENT (one or more buses per hour per day)
]] REGuLAR (buses every one to three hours per day)
] INFREquENT (three or less buses per day) D = Also operates as a demand responsive service at times
Refreshments: Take a break at one of the popular local inns or at the
Sweet Apples tea shop.
Route
Charlbury
Oxford
Oxford
Chipping Norton
Witney
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon
Witney
Milton-under-Wychwood
Banbury
Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Willersey
Cheltenham
Moreton-in-Marsh
Oxford
Moreton-in-Marsh
Walks – 4km (2.5 miles), 5.6km (3.5 miles) or 7.2km (4.5 miles). Easy in the
town, steep in places beyond.
For the latest timetable information and route maps, go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
Attractions: An historic
village where all the stone houses in the High Street are over 100-yearsold and with parish church from the Middle Ages.
BuSES
C1
S1/NS1/S2/NS2
S3
X8
X9
21/22/23
50/50A
233
233 (route extension - Sundays only)
488/489
527
540
559
606
801
853
855
Getting there: bus no.
635 (Faresaver) regularly
operates between
Bristol and Chippenham
– see the Southern
timetable pages of www.
escapetothecotswolds.
org.uk/travel, visit
www.traveline.org.uk or
call 0871 200 2233.
Milton-under-Wychwood
Carterton
Charlbury
Ascott-under-Wychwood
Chipping Norton
Moreton-in-Marsh
Banbury
Milton-under-Wychwood
Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton
Gotherington
Evesham
Evesham
Willersey
Cheltenham
Gloucester
Cirencester/Kemble
Operator
Go Ride CIC
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel
Stagecoach Oxfordshire/in Warwickshire
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
Pulhams Coaches
Veolia Transport
Castleways
Castleways
Pulhams Coaches
Swanbrook Coaches
Pulhams Coaches
Marshfield is one of those often unexplored villages in
the south Cotswolds where turning off the main road
for a well earned break in the small centre can be really
rewarding – and a great opportunity for a walk.
Start at the church which was restored in the 1880s to celebrate queen
Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Admire in particular some 130 hassocks made
by villagers over a period of ten years. Going west, you will pass the old
National School which was built in 1861, and eight almshouses dating
from the early 1600s and incorporating a small chapel.
The Cotswold Way National Trail has 16 places where it is practical to start
and finish your walk using public transport from nearby towns and covers
just over 100 miles of quintessentially English countryside.
Frequency
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A walk from Marshfield
Cotswold Way National Trail
COLD ASHTON
16.5km/10.2 miles
BATH
7
TASTER DAY OuT – on foot
TASTER DAY OuT – by bus/on foot
A trip across the North Cotswolds
Miles without stiles
Badminton: woodland and parkland
Public transport makes it possible to spread an
enjoyable and busy day across
several centres in the north
Cotswolds.
Getting there: Allow a full day to give you
adequate time to take in three to four towns
and villages interlinked by the 801 and 855
services operated by Pulhams Coaches (www.
pulhamscoaches.com). This service is included
within the Cotswolds Discoverer ticket – see
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/discoverer
for more information.
Attractions: Each town is individual and offers
plenty to do.
Walk: Circular walk of 7.3km/4.5 miles. Allow
two hours. Easy with some stiles.
Refreshments: Wide choice in main towns.
THE
Cotswolds
Discoverer
the ticket!
It’s just
Discover the beauty and attractions of the Cotswolds
by bus and by train – and save money too!
From just £10, you can enjoy unlimited*
travel by bus and rail around the Cotswolds
– one of the uK’s most beautiful landscapes.
adult 1-day: £10 (£8.30 with railcard)
adult 3-day: £25 (£20 with railcard)
Half price for under 16s
Tickets can be bought
at any uK rail station
and on participating
bus services.
* not valid on rail
services before 08.50,
Mondays to Fridays
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/discoverer
8
WHAT YOu’LL SEE ON YOuR JOuRNEY:
You could start with coffee and a wander through Moreton-in-Marsh with its
wide main street and pretty back lanes. Visit on a Tuesday and you have the
added draw of a rich and lively market. The oldest building is said to be the
16th-century Curfew tower which rang out over the High Street nightly until
1860 to remind people of the risk of fire.
A scenic bus ride gives the option to hop off in Stow-on-the-Wold or to carry
on to Bourton-on-the-Water. The Windrush flowing through the centre
makes Bourton the “Little Venice” of the Cotswolds, with ample shopping
opportunities, coffee stops and eateries. Things to do include a model of the
village as it was in 1937, a perfume factory, plus Birdland park and gardens.
The surrounding countryside begs to be walked. The Jubilee Walk route
suggested here takes you through the Greystones Farm Nature Reserve,
allowing you via superb interpretation aids, to trace a story that stretches
back 6,000 years when dense woodland was first cleared as pasture. Pressure
for modern farming methods has been substantially resisted and you can
enjoy glorious early summer flowers.
The walk takes in the timeless village of Wyck Rissington with its long
village green, pretty duck pond and
church where composer Gustav Holst
was resident organist at the age of 17.
Back past the old Rissington corn mill,
then skirt round lakes created by gravel
extraction which are now popular for
fishing and bird watching.
A final short bus hop takes you on to
Northleach. Once famous across Europe
as a vibrant centre for the Cotswolds
wool trade, it has a fine 15th century
church built with stone from the local
quarry, with carvings and memorial
brasses telling the story of benefactors
made rich by sheep. A collection of small
independent shops offers everything from
fresh bread and cakes, to specialist wines,
fine quality meats and cheese. There are
even dolls houses and music boxes in this
calm little treasure of a town.
One of a series of Cotswolds walks to commemorate
the queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Walk the Duke
of Beaufort’s estate, across a grassy airstrip and past
castellated barns and cottages.
7.5km/4.5 miles. Allow 2.5 hours. Grade: a gentle climb and descent of
60m/200ft but parts may be muddy.
Getting there: bus no. 41 (Andybus & Coach), frequent daily service
between Malmesbury and Yate. Alight at Badminton (near Chipping
Sodbury).
Attractions: two very small castles, the distinctive Slait Lodge, Little
Badminton church, Badminton Park estate and deer park and Park Pond,
amongst a wealth of other sights.
Refreshments: Drinks, ices and snacks can be purchased at Badminton
village post office where you start your walk (closed on Sundays).
WHAT YOu’LL SEE ON YOuR JOuRNEY:
Begin at the post office and take the
road out of the village towards Little
Badminton. Pass the distinctive Slait
Lodge, walk alongside the wood and
towards a distant black and white barn.
It is the hangar of the landing strip used
for the Badminton Horse Trials, held
every spring.
Climb briefly and head onto a signed
bridleway – this takes you to Seven Mile
Plantation. Go through trees, follow a
permissive bridleway, pass bird boxes
and in spring a wealth of woodland
flowers.
Go past a farm and head into Little
Badminton. The churchyard is large but
the church is small. Follow round the
rough green and an old dovecote, past a small pumping station.
Just before upper Slait Lodge head into Badminton Park. It is a deer park so
dogs should be on a lead. Carry on up the hill and you’ll see Park Pond, with
a glimpse of the big house beyond.
Approaching a lodge with a crest, carry on between stables and farm
buildings to the estate office, and then head back to the post office.
For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”.
For further details and a map of the walk mentioned here visit
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk and click on “walking”.
See Northern area rail and bus timetables online at:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
See Southern area rail and bus timetables online at:
www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/travel
9
10