Tuesday 30th August 2022 - Cleeve Hill

A longer walk today starting in Winchcombe. Up to Belas Knap and on to Cleeve Hill. Across Nottingham Hill to near Gotherington Holt. Then steeply up to the old barn and back past Langley Hill Farm. Sunny and just a little bit cooler. 12 miles with 1600 feet of ascent.

Heading up from Winchcombe

Wontley Farm

The memorial tree on Cleeve Hill

Across the golf course

The clubhouse with Dumbleton Hill in the distance

The cows came to see us - I think they thought we might have some food

Langley Hill below

The Langley Hill Drover 

Across to Bredon Hill

Tuesday 23rd August 2022 - Elmley Castle

With the Tuesday group for a walk starting from Elmley Castle. Another lovely sunny day. 7 miles with 600 feet of ascent.

Our route took us up Hill Lane to Fox Hill Woods and Windmill Hill (about half way up Bredon Hill).  We came back down through Cames Coomb wood. Then through Great Comberton, Little Comberton and Bricklehampton.

Elmley Castle is within the Cotswold AONB but is very untypically Cotswolds with red brick and timber framed houses.  

 St Mary's Church, Elmley Castle 

Windmill Hill with the sheep resting in the shade

Cames Coomb Wood

Heading towards Great Comberton with the Malvern Hills in the distance

The church of St Michael, Great Comberton

The church of St Peter, Little Comberton

A wonderful old tree which the footpath goes under

 

St Michael and All Angels church Bricklehampton.

Monday 22nd August 2022 - Roel Gate

A solo walk from Winchcombe through Waterhatch and up to Roel Gate. Returning past Parks Farm and Sudeley Castle. 10 miles with 1000 feet of ascent.

Winchcombe

St Peter's Church Winchcombe

Across Sudeley valley.

On the track just past Newmeadow farm

Spoonley Farm House

View across to Winchcombe

Saturday 20th August 2022 - Waterhatch

 A 7 mile walk with James and Charlie from Winchcombe to Waterhatch on a lovely sunny morning.

Giant wall of straw bales

The old stables at Waterhatch

Newmeadow farm with Humblebee cottages behind.

Charlie cools down at the end of the walk

Tuesday 16th August 2022 - Great Rissington

Starting at Great Rissington with a welcome change in the weather. Cooler at first and with a few raindrops for the first couple of miles - not enough for water proofs but it was rain! Our route took us to New Bridge, Northfield Barn, Windrush and Great Barrington. Just over 10 miles with 700 feet of ascent

St John the Baptist Church, Great Rissington

Dull and overcast for most of the walk

The River Windrush at New Bridge.

Next to the river was a little oasis in this dry and barren landscape. Green grass and wild flowers growing normally.

And, a green field, also next to the river.  This can be a boggy area in wet weather.

Sheep in the fields by Windrush - no nutrition in the grass - I assume the farmer is giving them winter feed.

St Mary's Church, Great Barrington

Then back through the fields to Great Rissington

Tuesday 19th August 2022 - Andoversford

Walking in the Cotswolds is now something of a surreal experience. The landscape is golden brown as the land is burned and dried by the sun and lack of rain. Shades of autumn in places too. Hot at the end. Just over 8 miles with 900 feet of ascent.

Leaving Andoversford and heading for Shipton

Had lunch under this barn on a very different day when it was raining.

Hampen Manor

That way!

St Andrews, Sevenhampton

Sevenhampton below