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Start: The war memorial, Abbey Terrace. (2 hours free parking. Other car parking can be found in Back Lane, behind the library, and in Bull Lane). Time and duration: Two and three quarters of a mile. About one and a half hours. Route: Cross the River Isbourne and climb past Almsbury Barn to fork at the entrance to Sudeley Park. Turn right here and follow this winding no-through road for almost a mile, passing a Cotswold Way sign Beyond the woodland, and at the point where the road swings to the right, turn left at the Windrush Way sign to cross the Beesmoor Brook over a cart bridge. Climb a stile and follow the waymark posts across Sudeley Park. The Castle and the graceful little church containing the tomb of Katherine Parr soon come into view. Pass through a kissing gate and after passing an adventure playground on the left, follow the fence to cross a castle drive through handgates. Beyond the second gate, veer to the right to climb a stile in a fence under a lime tree. Cross the grass to the next waymark, away to the right on a tree. Keep the same line across a car parking area to reach a drive, which is then followed the short distance to a stile by the exit gate leading to a road.
Turn right, and in a short distance, left, to continue the walk along Rushley Lane. Follow the lane for about three quarters of a mile, to its junction with the B4632. Two features are worth noting along this quiet winding lane. The house on the right somewhat resembling a village school was once the Turn left along the B4632 to reach a kissing gate immediately before the bridge over the Isbourne. Follow the well used footpath back into Winchcombe, emerging at the foot of Castle Street along a narrow path between houses. Turn right. Cross the river once more and climb the steep slope back to the B4632. Turn left to return to Abbey Terrace. | ||
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on the right and woodland on the left. There are sweeping views to the right of Cleeve Common, and to the left of a stretch of the Salt Way, an ancient route linking Droitwich with Lechlade.
castle’s laundry. Beyond, on the left, the inscription “ED 1894” can be seen on a doorway in a garden. This refers to Emma Dent, the local benefactress who lived at Sudeley Castle.