TETBURY WALKING SHORT BREAK

A leisurely walking short break based in a little market town of Tetbury with several Royal neighbours surrounded by beautiful, typically English countryside. Explore the South Cotswolds with its gently rolling country full of farms and little honey coloured stone villages. There is a wealth of fascinating history from prehistoric burials to the mediaeval churches built by rich wool merchants. Tetbury wears its heritage as centre for the wool trade very well. The handsome merchants houses, the market house on its stout tuscan pillars and the church with its tall, elegant spire all recall the prosperous times of the middle ages. Today it has acquired a new significance as a royal residence with Prince Charles at nearby Highgrove House and Princess Anne a few miles down the road at Gatcombe Park.

The are up to three days of walking using footpaths and quiet country lanes with a choice of route distances every day (average distance 6 to 10 miles, 10 to 16 km per day). They pass through the best of this varied countryside with many scenic villages and take in the areas best attractions.

Accommodation is in a 3 Crown hotel with en suite rooms and includes full English breakfast.

MAIN CENTRES

Tetbury- A beautifully preserved town of handsome merchants houses, market house and church which all recall the prosperous wool trade. Now home to Prince Charles. Malmesbury- Ancient Saxon town where the magnificent remains of the 12th century abbey are now the church with the tomb of Athelstan, the first king of all England.

OTHER SCENIC VILLAGES

Avening- Old weavers village with a fine Norman church built by William the Conqueror's queen, Matilda. Westonbirt- Pretty 19th century model village built to replace the original when the nearby estate was landscaped.

HOUSES AND GARDENS- Open to the public

Chavenage- A charming Elizabethan manor house with a fine collection of tapestries and relics from the English civil war. Westonbirt Arboretum- With 18,000 trees and shrubs from around the world, this is a beautiful place all year but particularly in the spring and autumn.

A moderate tour starting and finishing in the market town of Moreton in Marsh which is well served by both rail and coach services (approximately 1½ hours from London). The are seven days of walking progressing to three more of the Cotswolds scenic villages.

Accommodation is in hotels with en suite rooms and includes full English breakfast. The clients luggage is transferred between hotels.

The tour uses a mixture footpaths and quiet country lanes with a choice of route distances on most days (average distance up to 7 to 10 miles, 11 to 16 km per day). It passes through the best of the this varied countryside with many scenic little villages and takes in a wide range of the areas best attractions

The Cotswolds- Rolling country full of farms and little honey coloured stone villages. There is a wealth of fascinating history from prehistoric burials and hill forts through Roman villas to the mediaeval churches built by rich wool merchants. The Escarpment- The north west edge of the Cotswolds rises steeply from the Vale offering wonderful views and the area's richest history. The Severn Vale- Flatter country between the Cotswold escarpment and the River Severn.

MAIN CENTRES

OTHER SCENIC VILLAGES

Blockley- A beautiful old mill village full of fascinating history and scenery. Bourton on the Hill- Delightful houses, church and inn with wide views across the Evenlode valley Mickleton- At the very northern tip of the Cotswolds, a scenic mix of black and white thatched cottages and beautiful dark, almost orange stone houses. Snowshill- A village so beautiful that the famous car maker Henry Ford wanted to buy it and take it back to the USA! Stanton- The perfect Cotswold village lovingly restored by the Lord of the manor in the early years of this century.

HOUSES AND GARDENS- Open to the public

Batsford Park- Arboretum with colourful collection of rare trees and a Falconry Centre. Broadway Tower- 19th century folly with amazing views over twelve counties. Hidcote Manor- More a series of small connected gardens- very influential design. Kiftsgate Court- Rare shrubs and old roses in a magnificent setting with wide views. Sezincote Manor- Oriental style house and water garden inspired the Brighton Pavillion.

Guided Walking Tours

Guided Walking Tour Dates

Arrive 17th of April - Depart 24th April

Arrive 1st of May - Depart 8th May

Arrive 22nd May - Depart 29th May

Arrive 26th June - Depart 3rd July

Arrive 24th July - Depart 30th July

Arrive 14th August - Depart 20th August

Arrive 4th September - Depart 11th September

Arrive 25th September - Depart 1st October

The tours will run with a minimum of 6 people per tour and a maximum of 14. The tours will not go ahead if we do not achieve the minimum numbers. Freesale up to 8 weeks before departure is fine.