Happy New Year to you all, Last night I was watching something about people living on Richard Branson's Necker Island, which is about most people idea of paradise.  That is, except for the French chef who ran the kitchen there.  He said it was too hot all the time and that his dream, his idea of paradise was having a little cottage in the Cotswolds in England. Always looking for easy inspiration, this has prompted me to focus on this glorious part of England for our Walk of the Week and in particular, to give you some information on the National Trail, the Cotswold Way.

In a Nutshell:

Distance: 102 miles Grading: Moderate, to Moderate to Strenuous.  The route itself is a long one, though well signposted and it does have some ups and downs, hence the grade being slightly more strenuous.   There are some long days as well, with the longest being 17 miles, however this can be broken down, should you wish.  We offer 6 different itineraries on the route, so there is something for everyone, from the hardiest walker, to those who like to take it a little bit easier.

Where is it?

The Cotswold Way is located in the south west of England, just outside of Bristol and not too far from London.  You start off the walk in the lovely named Chipping Camden which you can reach by bus or a train/bus combination from Bristol and London.  Then, after you walk though the green expanse of the Cotswolds, you end up in the stunning UNESCO world heritage city of Bath.

Why walk it?

It is the England of most peoples imaginings. It has all the hallmarks of rural England that are alluded to in films and tv all round the world.   The buzzword (and now almost the running joke in the office) is that this is quintessential England.  The views along the trail are stunning, with a thousand hues of green to accompany you on every twist and turn and you can see why William Blake coined the term 'green and pleasant land,' when describing England. While the scenery is lovely, it's the towns along the route that really gel this trip together.  The honey coloured buildings, with the occasional thatched roof still resisting the elements.  With lovely little tea rooms and craft shops, outstanding local produce and incredibly friendly locals, you can't really ask for a much better location to spend the night.  Also, the term picturesque could pretty much have been coined here, for these are some of the most beautiful towns in the country.  

Planning to walk the Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is available to walk from April to October.  The weather tends to be at its best during this period, with April to June being lovely and springlike, then into the height of summer, which can be glorious, finally tailing off towards the end of September.   May and September tend to be the most popular months, just because they are generally so clement. This is a wonderful part of the world and I would recommend everyone to have at least one walk in the Cotswolds. Our D&A Specialists know the area inside out and can give you all the advice you will need about the trip, so don't hesitate to get in touch with them by emailing at info@macsadventure.com or giving them a call on 0141 530 8886.