Showers over the Vale of Evesham

Striking views across the Vale of Evesham from the Cotswold Edge when weather fronts pass through.

Happy hiking

Anne 

WalkTheLandscape

A Day Out along the Cotswold Way

Happy days,
Best
Anne

Cotswold Way Landmarks: The Devil's Chimney

The Cotswold Way, one of England's most picturesque National Trails

The Devil's Chimney

One of the most popular legends for the origin of this pillar of rock standing on the Cotswold Edge above Cheltenham, is that it is the home of the devil who resides deep in the ground below.  

Angered by the many churches in the region, it is thought that Old Nick, as the Devil is affectionately known, sat on top of Leckhampton Hill and hurled stones at pilgrims who were on their way to prayer down in the valley below. However, his wicked ways backfired as the stones turned and hurled themselves back up the hill, burying him beneath the ground for ever.  The heavy stones piled one upon the other, forming the chimney, locking him in and ensuring he could never escape. 

For extra protection, Cheltenham inhabitants would climb to the top of the chimney to leave a coin as insurance against the Devil's anger and, as some believe, to ensure the privacy of its most infamous inhabitant.

Generations of young people have climbed the rock, including 13 brave souls who hold the unofficial record for the largest number of people to stand on the top at the same time.   Sadly, owing to the gradual erosion of the landmark, climbing has been prohibited, but it remains one of the iconic sights along the Cotswold Way.

Contact us for hiking holidays along the Cotswold Way and other National Trail in the Heart of England.

Happy hiking
Anne
Walk the Landscape

Trails for all - from amblers and ramblers to serious hikers

Amble along the Oxford Canal

Ramble through Cotswold villages

Hike along the Cotswold Way

Happy days

Anne

Walk the Landscape

Sunset from Broadway Tower on the Cotswold Way

Happy hiking

Anne

Walk the Landscape

The Cotswold Way in midsummer

The Cotswold Way runs north-south along the Cotswold Edge for 102 miles / 164 km, from Chipping Campden to the city of Bath in the west of England.

It offers great views to the west along the full length.  Across the Severn Valley, to the Malvern Hills, the Severn estuary and south Wales.

The trail follows the sinuous route of the Cotswold edge and passes up and down the escarpment slope. The full length (102 miles / 164 km) is normally walked in 5 (strenuous) to 10 (relaxing) days - although shorter tours over part of the route are also available. 

If you are thinking of walking the  Cotswold Way, why not Contact us to arrange a walking tour.   We book accommodation, arrange luggage transfer, provide maps, directions and guide books, give advice on travelling to and from the holiday within the UK, and provide support in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Wishing you a great walking year in 2014

Anne
Walk the Landscape

The City of Bath - A place to relax and enjoy at end of the Cotswold Way

At the southern end of the Cotswold Way lies the beautiful city of Bath.  

It's a good place to take a couple of days rest after completing the Trail, or get into the swing before you start.

It is famous for the warm springs, the only thermal springs in Britain. First discovered by the Celts,  the Romans built baths, a temple to the gods, Sulis and Minerva, and a busy town named 'Aquae Sulis' in the 1st century AD. 

In the 18th century Bath was one of the most fashionable cities in Britain, where aristocracy and society visited to 'take the water' and to be seen.   Jane Austen was a frequent visitor and her books 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Persuasion' describe the busy whorl of social life there during the Georgian period.

The Circus, one of the famous Georgian terraces in Bath designed by John Wood Sr and completed by John Wood Jr in 1768.

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, the church of the former Benedictine Monastery. Built largely during the 16th century, it is a fine example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Queen Elizabeth I described it as her 'Lantern in the West'.

The Roman Baths, built in the 1st century AD, were the at centre of the Roman town of Aquae Sulis. Today the springs continue to provide hot water at a temperature of 46 °C (114.8 °F) at the rate of 1,170,000 litres (257,364 imp gal) every day,  

The Roman Baths were excavated in the 19th century and are open to visitors. You can also relax and soak in the warm water in the open-air rooftop pool at the newly renovated Thermae Spa Bath.

In 2012, a large limestone disc was set into the pavement outside the west doors of the Abbey to mark the official start and end of the Cotswold Way.  It was carved with place names from along the trail by local artist Iain Cotton, and provides an invitation to walk, a welcome for tired feet and food for thought for the people that have walked the National Trail.

Check out the Cotswold Way Walking Tour for more information about the route, and Cotswold Way Images for photos of the 102 mile route.

Happy Hiking

Anne

Walk the Landscape

Black Sheep

Black sheep under a heavy sky

Walking down to Broadway along the Cotswold Way.

Happy hiking

Anne

walkthelandscape.co.uk

Black Swans and Ugly Duckings

Black and White Swans at Donnington Brewery

Ugly Ducklings at the Stanway House Water Fountain

Happy hiking
Anne
Walk the Landscape

Magnificent Views Along The Cotswold Way

The Devil's Chimney, on the Cotswold Edge, above Cheltenham

The Cotswold Way is one of just 15 National Trails in England.  
It follows the Cotswold Escarpment for 102 miles (164 km) between the beautiful medieval town of Chipping Campden in the north and the city of Bath in the south, which is famous for it's Roman Baths, Abbey and Georgian architecture.

Bath Abbey from the Roman Baths

Broadway Tower

Timber framed cottage

Passing through picturesque towns and villages such as Broadway, Stanton, Winchcombe and Painswick, and offering magnificent views to the west across the Severn Valley to the Malvern Hills, the Severn Estuary and South Wales,  the Cotswold Way offers an extremely satisfying tour with moderate to strenuous walking.

Contact us and we can organize walking holidays to fit your itinerary along all or part the Cotswold Way National Trail.

Happy walking

Anne

Walk the Landscape

Chipping Campden: A perfect base for a Walking Holiday

High Street, Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden, the historic town in the North Cotswolds, is famous for it's beautiful High Street, Medieval Wool Church and links with the Arts and Crafts Movement.

St James' Church, Chipping Campden

 From here you can walk south along the Cotswold Edge, following the Cotswold Way as far as Bath (up to 110 miles), or east to Moreton-in-Marsh or Stow-on-the-Wold.

Cotswold cottage and splendid garden

Our guided and self-guided walking holidays in the Cotswolds range from 1 to 12 days, with distances 5 to 20 miles per day (depending on your preference), accommodation in B&Bs to luxury hotels, maps, details of route and places of interest, luggage transfer where required and support in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Old orchard above the town

 Contact us to find out more.

Hawthorns along Cotswold Edge heavy with May Blossom 

                    Chipping Campden the perfect base for a Walking Holiday in the Cotswolds

Happy Walking in 2013.
Best
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk

In and around the Cotswold Way

The Wolds

Red Deer at Broadway Tower

Snowshill

A bijou retreat, Snowshill

Shenborough buildings

Buckland from the footpath

The Vale of Evesham

The Cotswold Way offers ambles through unspoilt villages with great views across the Vale of Evesham to the Marlbough Hills and the Welsh Mountains.

Walk the Landscape

Best