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’