Hiking Day 1 to Stanton

After our lovely  breakfast, we gathered our luggage/belongings and made our way back to the Moreton-in-Marsh train station to meet Active England representative. Alfie informed us that we would need to wait an additional hour for wait for the shuttle to arrive. We decided to hire a taxi to drive us the 8 miles to the start of the hike.  The starting point of the Cotswold Way in Chipping Campden is marked by a circular limestone plaque infront of the Market Hall. 

The first 6 miles is mostly agricultural land and open hill. 

Dover’s Hill is the first high point on the journey and the location of the annual Cotswold Olympik Games dating back over 400 years. Unfortunately it is held in May so we missed the festivities.. including the shin kicking competition. 

Broadway tower built in 1799 is the second highest point in along the Cotswold Way. 

We descended a popular, well traveled trail between the town of Broadway and Broadway Tower. 

In the town of Broadway, we had a reservation for a Sunday Roast at the Horse Hound hound pub (thanks to the foresight of our Trusted House Sitter Beth who suggested we might enjoy it). Not only did we enjoy the Sunday roast. We also enjoyed the beer and opportunity to sit and relax for a while.

Very full bellies and ready to carry on. 

We decided we would have a daily count of the gates that we passed through on the Cotswold Way.  Gate varieties: 

*Kissing gates..  you walk into the enclosure, swing the gate across, and walk out the other side. 

*Simple pedestrian gate

*Field gate 

*Stile- technically, not a gate. It’s a structure you climb over a wall or fence usually with two steps. 

Today we passed through 34 

We stayed at the Vine B&B in Stanton, a 17th century home built of  Cotswold limestone with a stone slate roof. 

It seemed everything in there was extremely old; The furniture, the furnishings and the mattresses. Ed and Michelle stayed in the attic I have an attached tub, toilet and sink. Tim and I were in a small room that had a shower within and sink, but we had a shared toilet with the other rooms on our floor.

The sleepy town of Stanton is extra quiet on Sundays. There was no place to go for dinner and we were told that the Stanton Village Club would open at 7PM if we wanted a beer.  So we pulled out our beef sticks, energy bars and nuts that we packed …. and ate that for “dinner” in the fancy sitting room.

We did venture to the Stanton Village Club enjoyed a beer and some crisps (Potato chips) while chatting with the locals and watching The World Champion Dart Tournament on the big screen TV. 

Gates- 34

Miles- 11.5 mile

Elevation gain - 1450’