Walking

These boots are made for walking!

Set in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Winchcombe is the walking centre for the Cotswolds.

We have walks for softies, dogs, serious walkers or groups; bring a pushchair or a mobility scooter or just bring yourself. Whatever standard you are looking for, Winchcombe is a walkers paradise.

Winchcombe is known world-wide for its annual, three-day Walking Festival held in May and run by Winchcombe Welcomes Walkers. It attracts many international visitors and people from all over Britain.

The 102-mile Cotswold Way National Trail passes through the town and we have our own 42 mile route the Winchcombe Way and The Isbourne Way, a 14-mile path that follows this pretty, north-flowing river.

The Windrush Way, The Wardens Way and the Gloucestershire Way, all criss-cross our town and offer more wonderful walking routes around the Cotswolds.

There are free guided town walks on Sundays throughout the summer, led by enthusiastic local people who wish to share the history of our beautiful town.

We also have a well attended ‘Walking for Health’ group which meets every Thursday, 10.30am – 11.30am, outside the Plaisterers Arms.

Winchcombe has ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status which means you are assured of a warm welcome throughout the town, with good paths, waymarked walks and plenty of places to eat and drink.

What are you waiting for? We have put together some of our favourite walks for your enjoyment.

So step back from the hustle bustle of the tourist hot spots, put on your boots and set off from Winchcombe.

Winchcombe is a Cotswold Gateway Town and has 6 Gateway walking routes, starting and finishing in Winchcombe.

GATEWAY WALKING ROUTES

Details can be found on the Walking Panel situated on Abbey Terrace

1 – Winchcombe to Sudeley Castle (approx 2 miles, 1 hr, easy)

2 – Winchcombe to Langley Hill wood carving (approx 4.5 miles 2.5 hrs, moderate)

3 – Sudeley, Kenelm & Monks Hole (approx 4.75 miles, 2.75 hrs, strenuous)

4 – Winchcombe to the source of the river Isbourne (approx 6 miles 3 hrs,moderate)

5 – Winchcombe to Belas Knap Long Barrow (approx 5.5 miles 2.75 hrs, moderate)

6 – Farmcote to Hailes Abbey (approx 7.5 miles 4 hrs, moderate)

Sudeley Castle circular walk

Farmcote and Hailes

Wood carving walk

Stancombe walk

Winchcombe to Belas Knap

Winchcombe to Spoonley Villa

Winchcombe to Toddington circular walk

To the source of the River Isbourne

Details of many more local self guided walks with descriptions, routes and downloadable GPS instructions can also be found here and also via Plotaroute.