Walks in the Cotswolds
By Natascha Henderson | Friday, 12 April 2024
There is nothing better than putting on your boots and strolling through the charming English countryside in the Cotswolds with its pretty stone cottages set in idyllic villages. We have collected together a few for you to choose from but if you know of any that we are missing – do let us know as we are always happy to add more suggestions. We have split the walks into sections ; the first three walks are right on your doorstep if you are staying at Chimney Farm Barns; the next three are based around rivers and longer walks and the last three are towers and parkland walks.
Close to Chimney Farm Barns
All these walks start from Chimney Farm Barns if you are visiting Chimney and not staying with us, there is a carpark for the Nature Reserve on the lane as you approach the village and if you park there and continue towards the village you will find the bridlepath on your left to start these circular walks.
- Circular walk Chimney to Aston
OS Map 164 – approximately 3 hours mostly flat through water meadows.
This is a circular walk starting at Chimney Farm Barns, depending on the water height you will need wellies as it takes you through a ford at Duxford. Turn left out of the barns and follow the hamlet lane around the corner and then go straight ahead onto the bridlepath. This leads to the Thames Path. Go over the Thames and across 3 fields towards Duxford . At Duxford you will find a ford which you can wild swim in, turn right after the ford and walk through the village of Duxford and straight ahead from Duxford farm across the fields. This footpath takes you to the Buckland Marsh road, and on turning right you will find The Tadpole pub at Tadpole Bridge, great for lunch as it’s the half way point of the walk. Go over the bridge by the pub and turn right back onto the Thames Path follow this back to the bridlepath back to Chimney. About two thirds of the way along the Thames Path you will find a wonderful thatched bird hide, part of Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve ideal for a bit of bird spotting on your way back. For guests staying with us we have a map of this walk in The Lock Keepers Snipe, The Owls Barn and Roebucks Rose (tasch please link all these I have given you the links below).
For a shorter version of this walk, don’t go over the bridge towards Duxford, turn right onto the Thames Path that leads to The Trout at Tadpole Bridge.
https://anywhereweroam.com/cotswolds-hikes/#stanton-snowshill
The Trout Inn At Tadpole Bridge – The Trout at Tadpole Bridge (butcombe.com)
- Chimney to Newbridge
OS Map 164 – approximately 3 hours
From Chimney Farm Barns turn left out of the drive and follow the lane around going straight forward onto the Bridlepath. When you reach The Thames, turn left onto The Thames Path and follow this all the way to Newbridge. You will go through Shifford Lock on your way, it is one of the last locks to be built on The Thames in 1897 and a great place for a rest watching the boats navigating through the lock. At Newbridge The Maybush is a perfect lunch spot with its beer garden on the river. You can either return the same route or turn left at the pub and after about 200 yards turn left again onto the footpath to Standlake Common, turn left again on the footpath towards Shifford and Chimney, you will walk through the Nature Reserve and back to the Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve car park, from there follow the village lane into Chimney and Chimney Farm Barns will be found on the right.
- Chimney through Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve circular walk
Use Chimney Nature Reserve Map or illustrated Chimney Farm Barn Map – approximately 40 minutes
From Chimney Farm Barns turn left out of the drive and follow the village lane going straight ahead at the bridlepath, where the bridlepath bears right, go straight ahead onto the Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve footpath , following the path round the field. This will lead to the main footpath from Standlake Common to Chimney. Turn left onto the footpath and in turn this will lead to the Chimney village lane. Turn left again onto the lane and back into the village. The barns will be found on the right.
- Minster Lovell circular walk.
OSMap 146 – approximately 1 hour 50 minutes
Start in the village of Minster Lovell where The Old Swan Pub is a good base and follow the footpaths to Crawley. This walk takes in two wonderful spots for wild swimming, one perfect for children as its not very deep and the other by the weir will give you a proper deep swim. Starting from the pub turn right and follow the lane going through a metal gate, then across the river over a weir. Follow this footpath until you reach a road, go straight across and downhill at the bottom take the left hand of the paths following the valley. When you reach another road turn right and over the bridge into Crawley village. The Lamb Inn in the village is half way and would make a good place to stop. From Crawley village at the junction take the sharp left and where the road goes right, take the left footpath following the path all the way through fields back to Minster Lovell. You will find yourself returning through the metal gate where you started and into the village, beyond the church is the ruins of a manor house, ideal for a picnic or a paddle for children.
Old English Country Inn near Oxford – Old Swan
Oxfordshire Country Pub | The Lamb Inn | Crawley (lambpub.co.uk)
- The Castle Combe circular Walk – approximately 1.5 hours
It doesn’t get much more picturesque than Castle Combe. This enchanting village is worth walking around even if you arent looking for a hike with its golden hued stone cottages and meandering stream. Starting in the centre of the village, turn left and follow the well signposted trail leaving the river on your right. Follow this path to Long Dean (MacMillan Way) bending right. It narrows at this stage and goes across fields when you reach the road, turn left and when ou join another road keep right, turning right onto a small road called Park Lane. Turn right and follow the lane back into Castle Combe village. There Castle Inn is a good stopping point in the village.
The Castle Inn Pub Castle Combe | Exclusive Collection
- Oxford City Centre Walks
There are so many options in Oxford for walking, from taking a tour to wandering along the banks of the River Cherwell and hiring a punt at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse. The city itself is designed for walking and the majority of the city centre is pedestrianised to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. You can visit the colleges on tours and be guided by undergraduates or just picnic on the River.
Punt Hire – Magdalen Bridge Boathouse (oxfordpunting.co.uk)
Oxford University Walking Tour with Bodleian Library and Entry 2024 (viator.com)
- Broadway village to Broadway Tower 5 hours approximately
Broadway Tower is the second highest point on the Cotswolds Escarpment where you can see 16 counties from the top of the tower.
From the high street, pass the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery and turn right onto the footpath to Broadway Tower. Follow the path to the top of the hill and visit this beautiful folly. To return to Broadway on a circular route take the right hand footpath towards fish hill, and at the fork bear left to return to the village.
- Faringdon to Faringdon Folly Tower 30 minutes
A unique tower set in woodland above the town of Faringdon with easy access for all. Park in Standford Road, Faringdon and follow signs to Folly Hill and Folly Tower. The walk takes you steeply up hill through woodland with the Tower at its heart. Picnic on the hill or just enjoy the views from the top.
Faringdon Folly Tower and Woodland – Faringdon Folly Tower and woodland
- Finally, why not visit one of our beautiful parkland gardens, Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle and Stowe all offer spectacular open walks through their stunning grounds and parkland with follys, obelisks and views on the way.
Blenheim Palace | Britain’s Greatest Palace
Sudeley Castle & Gardens | Wedding Venue | Historic Attraction | Food
