Hiking day 7 to Old Sodbury

Today started with a gaunt through the town of Wotton-Under-Edge prior to a big grade climb to the adjacent hilltop. 

Once on top of the hill we were greeted by undulating green pastures and some lazy or friendly cows. 

There was a lot of inclines and descents today in the countryside, but not a lot of small towns/villages to  pass through. When we did get to a road, it typically was passing through small farms or neighborhoods, but not towns. This tractor took up the whole road! 

Somerset Monument was built in 1846 as a memorial dear Lord Robert, Edward Somerset, a British general. 

We took a recommended diversion from the Cotswold Trail to have a lunch and a break at The Fox Inn in Hawkesbury. This cute honey stand was along the way. 

Energized and heading back on trail. 

No signage here, but AI informs us that  Horton Millennium Folly, sometimes described as the Horton Owlery. It’s a modern folly built in 2000 as a millennium project, specifically to provide nestingh places for barn owls and swallows. 

The Cotswold Trail  goes right through the grounds of St. John the Baptist Church in Old Sudbury. 

We had to hike up hill on a Hill Road almost a mile to get to our overnight stay at Cross Hands hotel.  It was another long day and we were happy to be at our destination. It was busy at the Hotel restaurant being that it’s a Saturday so we were fortunate to find a place at the bar to have our dinner. Both Ed and Tim enjoyed an order of the  massive Mixed Grill. 

Gates crossed- 36

Miles hikes  - almost 14

Elevation gained- 2300’

Hiking day 6 to Wotton Under Edge

Another beautiful morning! 

We began with a walk in the woods. Many of our wooded walks have been on a hillside with the valley far below on our right and the ridge on our left. It is beautiful to see the sunny farms and valley views peeking through the trees. 

We  were welcomed by various free range animals today. Horses, cows, sheep goats, we also saw pigs but not in the same field that we were walking through.

Walking on the path we’ve seen lots of unique rock stack and mounds surrounding them. A trained eye can identify that they could be extremely old burial mounds. This historical landmark is Nympsfield Long Barrow. It is a communal tomb that was constructed 5000+ years ago.

We had a more than a fair amount of steep ups and downs today, It is the biggest day elevation gain while in the Cotswolds. 

It’s incredible how massive some of the trees are along the trail, especially knowing how much limestone is beneath the surface. This is one huge beech tree. Most of the woods that we’ve been walking through are predominantly beech trees. 

The clouds are spectacular here. It’s beautiful how the sun finds its way through to light up different locations of the valley below. 

This spectacular oak tree pulled us in for a closer look, but you had to be far away to grab a photo of this giant. 

After 10+ miles  we passed through the town of Dursley and saw The Hoptician Micro Pub. It seemed like a brilliant place to take a break. It was very small in size but huge in selection. 

After the “rest stop” we had an almost immediate steep climb to get to a route decision. At the top of the climb was a big beautiful and apparently popular golf course. There were two routes at this point cutting across the golf course or going all the way around. 

Tim and I chose the shorter route.. giving us about 4 miles to get to Wotton-Under-Edge, our destination. Michelle and Ed took the more challenging route with 2.5 miles more than us and more elevation gain. 

Pretty much anytime we got to a hilltop and scanned the surrounding hills and valleys we could see in the distance a tall tower.. Tyndale monument.   It seems so far off in the distance… until we were right there in front of it.

This 1866 tower commemorates, William Tynedale (1494 to 1536), producer of an influential English translation of the Bible. The tower stands 111’  and it’s a prominent landmark from miles away. 

Gate count:  35  / 39

Miles hiked: 16   /  18.5

Elevation gained: 2300 / 2600

Hiking day 5 to Stonehouse

The breakfast this morning had so many little jars and plates, containers and glass cloche covering meats, cheeses and treats… it took awhile to get through it all ! 

 

The morning started a little cooler than previous days, warmed up beautifully. 

We hiked across various terrains, including through a pasture with cows, calfs and bulls. 

We thought we made it to the halfway point of the Cotswold Way, but discovered the backside of this post indicated we had only traveled 47 miles since Chipping Campden. 

When we got to this monument we took a photo and asked AI what it was.  (Technology is amazing) This monument records the “Siege of Gloucester raised 5 September 1643. 

Ed hiding in a tree cave !

We watched as a tractor passed infront of us plowing this field. Ed found the trail post on the other side of the field and created a  new path. 

Canals in Stonehouse were built to transport coal and woolen cloth during the Industrial Revolution. 

Our hotel!  Big and Beautiful. . 

Dinner started with a Gin and Tonic in tall glasses. 

Upon check in this gorgeous hotel said that one of us were upgraded!  Check out Ed and Michelle’s spacious, gorgeous room. 

Gate count: 32

Miles hiked : 11

Elevation gained 1160’

Hiking day 4 to Painswick

Our shortest hiking day on the Cotswold Way! Yay!  

Today was a walk in the woods,  followed by a walk on a golf course and an extra excursion to take a stroll in a garden. 

We had a great breakfast… Ed had the traditional English breakfast. 

We wandered through the beautiful beech tree woods most of the day. Sometimes the trail was single track and other times it appeared to be forest roads for lumber felling. 

We were in awe of the incredible steepness of Coopers Hill. This hill is famous for the annual Cheese Rolling competition they have each May. 

Checkout this short video to see the insanity that has been happening over 200 years in this hill. We talked to several locals while walking in that area about this event.  They shared that there are mens, women’s, and children’s categories. In the childrens race - it is a bit safer.. they run up the hill. Either way first one to the bottom or first one to the top (for kids) wins the cheese and bragging rights. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/-zXZzlv_sdU?is=-Yw_i5wMc1fa9D11

The Painswick Golf Club is in a unique location in these hills  and it just so happens cattle grazing within the course! So instead of the goose poop we deal with back home, there is bullshit that happens here!  We saw the big black bull as we walked along the rough of the fairway on the walkers path. 

Crazy thing… today we went through only 1 gate. We saw some gates were removed because they weren’t necessary. The cattle have a collar to keep them in the correct places! 

Less than a mile from our overnight destination Is thePainswick Rococo Gardens. The 1740s this garden was designed to delight guests at the Painswick House. The rococo style of the time can be seen in the architecture.

Eventually, the garden was abandoned and eventually returned to woodland, but a restoration of the garden started  in earnest in 1984. Strolling It’s impressive  and mature grounds made for an interesting and relaxing afternoon. 

After the gardens, we found our way to the village of  Painswick. Saint Mary’s Church is directly across from our overnight stay at Saint Michael’s Bistro B&B!   Saint Peter’s chapel was first built in 1377 then and throughout the following 400 years additions were made. St. Peter’s chapel still exists with Saint Mary’s Church. 

The interior of the church is filled with beautiful details. In addition to the old craftsmanship, they also have 300 different hand embroidered kneelers pads. 

The churchyard is surrounded by 99 very old, very massive. wonderfully sculpted yew trees (folklore says the  devil will not allow the 100th tree to survive).  Two yew trees that form arches are called the Marriage Yews. Tim and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on this trip. 

The arts and craft movement was influential in Painswick in the early 20th century and the tradition continues. Each bedroom at our B&B has its own personality and artistic style. Tim and I are in the art deco room. (Sorry no photo)

Ed and Michelle have the Indian Room. 

A local highly suggested The Oak pub for our evening meal. It is a genuinely historic pub dating back to the 16th century! We arrived early to get a table (it was very crowded  when we departed) and enjoyed our beer, dinner and then dessert along with a fun game of cards mixed in. (Ed was the winner). 

Gate count -  1

Miles hiked - 9

Elevation gained - 1040’