On Friday, 10th July, the trail team and Cotswold Way Wardens launched a brand new set of circular walking routes designed to encourage more people to discover and enjoy the National Trail at an event attended by Natural England, Highway Authorities and the Cotswolds Conservation Board amongst others. Starting with a short tour of one of the walks, the event was rounded off with a wonderful local food barbecue, kindly laid on by Carl and Pip of the Mount Inn, Stanton whose excellent food, great beer and warm welcome make their pub the perfect end to the perfect walk
The series has been developed to appeal to those who do not want to walk the entire Trail, but would like to experience some of the best bits. Each route is accessible by public transport, will be way-marked throughout, includes car parking and refreshment stops, and most contain optional short-cuts making them suitable for a much wider audience such as less-experienced walkers, families etc.
The initial set of eight is the first of a series that will take in scenic routes all along the Cotswold Way from Chipping Campden in the north to the City of Bath in the south. Further routes will be added over the forthcoming year, taking the complete set to a total of 26 walks by the end of 2010. Detailed route cards, containing maps, written directions and other useful information are free to download here...