In search of the Snow Leopard

Be one of the few Europeans to see the elusive Snow Leopard in it's natural habitat.

If you're a keen naturalist and happy to live in homestays in remote mountain villages, this expedition from our sister company Discover Ladakh could be just for you.

Based in Ladkah, India on the Tibetan plateau, the tour incorporates treks in the Himalayan valleys searching for the Snow Leopard, in the company of naturalists from the Snow Leopard Conservancy India, and chance to visit one of the vibrant winter Buddhist monastery festivals.

Check out this unique opportunity to Search for the Snow Leopard.

[Photo kindly provided by the Snow Leopard Trust]

Best wishes

Walking Weekend: Pre-history in the Cotswold Landscape

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the Cotswold Landscape and discover its rich legacy of prehistoric sites - some over 5000 year old - from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November.

We'll visit the Rollright Stones discover their origins together with the myths and legends surrounding them and take a walk through the Swells to see Neolithic long barrows and Bronze age monuments on private land.

For more information check out Prehistory in the Cotswold Landscape or Contact Us.

Best wishes

A great chance to walk from Lark Rise to Candleford

Join us on Sunday 14th November to walk from Lark Rise to Candleford and back.

This 10 mile walk will take in the villages where the author Flora Thompson grew up and went to school, and we'll see the real post office where Flora first started work.

For more information check out Lark Rise to Candleford or Contact Us.

Photo: The End House, Flora Thompson's family home.

Best wishes

An American Woman's life in the Cotswolds

Life in the Cotswolds - An American woman's journey from burritos and margaritas to tea and scones - Check out this fascinating blog starting 2007

Anne

Discover Prehistory in the Cotswold Landscape: 19th - 21st November

Don't miss this great chance to explore the Cotswold Landscape and discover its rich legacy of prehistoric sites - some over 5000 years old - from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November.

We'll visit the Rollright Stones discover their origins together with the myths and legends surrounding them and take a walk through the Swells to see Neolithic long barrows and Bronze age monuments on private land.

For more information check out Prehistory in the Cotswold Landscape or Contact Us.

Best wishes

A chance to walk from Lark Rise to Candleford: Saturday 14th November

Join us on Sunday 14th November to walk from Lark Rise to Candleford and back.

This 10 mile walk will take in the villages where the author Flora Thompson grew up and went to school, and we'll see the real post office where Flora first started work.

For more information check out Lark Rise to Candleford or Contact Us.

Best wishes

Cotswold Photos - National Geographic

See this lovely set of photos of the Cotswolds taken in spring at National Geographic.

Anne

Cotswold Tourism Awards 2010

Check out the Cotswold Tourism Awards for 2010.

We did not enter - perhaps next year!

Anne

Walkers urged to take up Defra's invitation to join the debate on how to 'Shape the Nature of England'

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a consultation document 'An invitation to shape the Nature of England' to encourage the debate about how best we can protect and enhance our natural environment, and the valuable services we derive from it.

Adrian Morris, the Ramblers Association’s Head of Walking Environment, has encouraged involvement saying: “This is a great opportunity for walkers everywhere to have their say on the future of England’s natural environment. Currently the paper fails to take into consideration the importance of people’s ability to access the countryside.’

The deadline for responses is 30 October 2010 so there's not much time.

A copy of the consultation can be found at : http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/documents/newp-discussion-260710.pdf

You can also respond directly to DEFRA at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/nature-of-england

Anne

BBC Countryfile Magazine to feature our walk to the Rollright Stones

Jo Tinsley, Features Editor of the BBC Countryfile Magazine, and her friend Rebecca took a walk with us to the Rollright Stones on Tuesday 12th October.

The Stones date from prehistory, the oldest being the Whispering Knights, who have conspired near the brow of the ridge for almost 5000 years. Nearby is the circle of Kings Men (2500-2000 BC), who with their master the King (1800-1500 BC), were on their way to conquer all England when they met a witch who turned them to stone.

Jo was in the area researching an article on places of interest in

and around Lark Rise Country and had been to the villages in North Oxfordshire where Flora Thompson, author of ‘Lark Rise to Candleford’ grew up. She had also took a trip on a barge along the Oxford Canal and toured the ironstone villages of Banburyshire.

The supplement featuring Lark Rise Country, and our walk, will

be published in the January edition of BBC Countryfile Magazine which coincides with the start of the next TV series - and the magazine will be available in the shops from early December.

On Sunday 14th November we have a day walk from Lark Rise to Candleford. Why not join us to see the area that Flora Thompson describes so vividly in her books.

Remembering the legacy of the Guild of Handicrafts in Chipping Campden

At the beginning of the 20th century, CR Ashbee and 150 craftsmen of the Guild of Handicrafts moved from East London to Chipping Campden to set up business in the old silk mill, looking for a better life.

Today the work of these notable arts and crafts designers is exhibited in the Court Barn Museum, Chipping Campden - but it took 17 years for enthusiasts to find this permanent home. The story of their efforts to establish the museum is presented in an exhibition 20th Anniversary of the Guild of Handicraft Trust in Chipping Campden running from 16 October – 28 November.

The World Famous Cheltenham-Literature-Festival starting this week.

The annual Cheltenham Literary Festival is taking place from Friday 8th to Sunday 17th October.

Started by a group of friends in 1949, it is the world's oldest literary festival. This year there are more than 400 events and features celebrated authors such as Philip Pullman, Sebastian Faulks and Salman Rushdie.

Anne

The Cotswolds – an Area of Stunning Natural Beauty

The Cotswolds, set in the Southern area of England, was recently rated 2nd in the ‘Fine Living Top 10: Paradises On Earth’, by a well-known Men’s Online Magazine, for locations around the world that seem to have remained untouched by civilisation. Check it out on the England Travel Blog,

Cotswolds annual dry-stone walling competition - Sunday 3rd October

Beginner pairs, novices, amateurs and professionals dry stone wallers will be competing in the 9th Annual Dry-Stone Walling Competition today at Prestons Folly, Broadfield Farm, just off the A433, one mile from Tetbury.

Watching this ancient craft makes for a great afternoon out.

The Cotswolds are very quai

I had vastly underestimated the amount of time necessary to see this beautiful part of England...

Its really worth taking a few days to enjoy walking in the Cotswolds and explore its small towns and villages.