The Cotswold Way. Kev Reynolds

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      About the Author

      Kev Reynolds is a prolific author of guidebooks whose first title for Cicerone Press (Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees ) was published in 1978 and has remained in print ever since. Although most of his guides are devoted to mountain regions such as the Alps, Pyrenees and Himalaya, he considers the more gentle landscapes of the English countryside to be no second best, and says that every day spent among them is a gift to cherish. A member of the Alpine Club, Austrian Alpine Club, and an Honorary Life Member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild, his passion for mountains in particular and the countryside in general remains undiminished after a lifetime’s activity, and he regularly travels throughout Britain to share that enthusiasm through his lectures. Check him out at www.kevreynolds.co.uk.

      Other Cicerone guides by the author

      Walking in Kent

      Walking in Sussex

      Walks in the South Downs National Park

      The North Downs Way

      The South Downs Way

      THE COTSWOLD WAY

      by Kev Reynolds

      JUNIPER HOUSE, MURLEY MOSS,

      OXENHOLME ROAD, KENDAL, CUMBRIA LA9 7RL

      www.cicerone.co.uk

      © Kev Reynolds 2016

      Fourth edition 2016 Reprinted 2019 (with updates)

      ISBN 9781783623013

      Third edition 2007

      ISBN 185284552X

      ISBN 9781852845520

      Second edition 2005

      ISBN 1852844493

      ISBN 9781852844493

      First edition 1990

      ISBN 9781852840495

      Printed in China on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

       1:100K route mapping by Lovell Johns www.lovelljohns.com.

      © Crown copyright 2016 OS PU100012932. NASA relief data courtesy of ESRI

       The 1:25K map booklet contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright 2016 OS PU100012932.

      Updates to this guide

      While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/816/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal LA9 7RL.

      If you find accommodation listed here that is closed or unwelcoming to walkers, or know of suitable accommodation that we have left out, please let us know. Similarly, if you are an accommodation provider who would like adding to the list, or taking off the list, do get in touch. The most up-to-date version of Appendix B, based on reader feedback, can be downloaded from www.cicerone.co.uk/accommodation.

      Register your book: To sign up to receive free updates, special offers and GPX files where available, register your book at www.cicerone.co.uk.

      Acknowledgements

      I am grateful to the various Cotswold Way national trail officers and managers – most recently, James Blockley – who, over the years, have provided welcome information, advice and encouragement, and worked tirelessly to make The Cotswold Way one of the true gems of the national trail network. For updates to this edition I owe a huge debt of thanks to Lesley Williams for her copious notes and wise counsel; to the owners of various b&b establishments for accommodation and local information, and to my wife for sharing memorable Cotswold days and fifty years of footpaths, at home and abroad. Once again I am indebted to the team at Cicerone Press for their continued friendship, and for putting their talents and skills to my advantage in producing this guide. Thank you one and all.

      Front cover: Elegant Postlip Hall stands snug among trees below Cleeve Common

      CONTENTS

       Map key

       Trek planner

       Overview map

       Route summary tables

       INTRODUCTION

       The Cotswold Way

       Planning your trip

       Choosing an itinerary

       Which way to walk?

       When to go?

       Self-guided or guided?

       Getting there and getting around

       First nights and last nights

       Accommodation

       Facilities en route

       Baggage transfer service

       What to take

       The Cotswold Way Hall of Fame

       Planning day by day

       Using this guide