The Walk

"The 102 miles long Cotswold way follows the escarpment running along the western edge of the Cotswolds. On the walk one gets great views of the Severn Valley while walking amidst beech woods and open pasture. It passes through picturesque villages built in local limestone. The Cotswold are a designated 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' so you can be sure the scenery on this long distance walk is always going to be pleasing to the eye."

The Challenge starts on 26th and finishes on 31st August 2009. We will be walking about 20 miles per day and staying in B&B accommodation every night (see below).

You are welcome to join us for just a few miles, one day or for as many days as you wish. All we ask is for a simple donation and for you to pay for your own expenses. If required, we can also help you with some fund raising ideas of your own.

Day 1: Town Hall Chipping Campden to Old White Lion Inn Winchcombe (17.5 miles)
The Cotswold Way begins in one of the areas finest villages and then embarks on probably its most challenging section. Impressive views from the top of the escarpment are interspersed with delightful villages at its foot and there is a wealth of history and interest throughout.

Day 2: Winchcombe to the car park in Daisy Bank Road on Leckhampton Hill
A day of contrasts that takes you across the wildest part of the Way on Cleeve Common then skirts around the largest town along the route, Cheltenham. After a long climb from Winchcombe, the Way stays mostly at high level before crossing the valley of the River Chelt.

Day 3: Leckhampton to Old Chapel Guest House, Kings Stanley (23 miles)
This section follows the top of the escarpment with regular shorter hills replacing the long climbs of the earlier stages. It takes you across open grass and farmland and through glorious beech woods passing an amazing collection of archaeological sites along the way.

Day 4: Kings Stanley to The Ridings, Rushmire Hill, Wotton-Under-Edge (16 miles)
More wide views and longer hills again today as the Way crosses the valley of the River Frome. This, unusually for the Cotswolds, breaks through the escarpment to flow west into the Severn creating impressive slopes of hanging beech woods. The hills above are rich with hill forts and burial mounds and you can explore the ramparts of Uley Bury and the old cloth-weaving town of Dursley or pause for thought at the Tyndale Monument.

Day 5: Wotton under Edge to The Compass Inn, Tormarton GL9 1JB (14.3 miles)
After the climb out of Wotton it is generally easier gradients on this stage. There is also little open ground along this section with the Way following tracks, lanes and field paths The best places are probably the woods above Long Coombe on the way to Hawkesbury or by the attractive pond in the village. Old Sodbury hill fort is a scenic stop later on in the walk.

Day 6: Tormarton to The Abbey, Kingston Parade, Bath (16.2 miles) End of walk celebrations to begin at around 2.30pm
Shorter climbs are followed by the long descent into Bath. The first part crosses the A46 several times and the M5 but also takes you off on pleasant field walks along the hillsides below Dyrham Park. The second half takes you up onto Lansdown, site of a Civil War battle and one of the country's highest racecourses, offering wide views over the World Heritage City of Bath. As you walk into the city beautiful parks and the sweep of Georgian crescents replace the open countryside.

Start Time: 8:45AM each day
Finish Time: Between 2-4 PM

Highlights: World Heritage City of Bath, views over River Severn to Brecon Beacons in Wales, Malvern Hills and Forest of Dean. National Trust properties of Dyrham House and Horton Court; Broadway Tower and Somerset Monument tower follies; old mill towns of Painswick, Stroud & Dursley, Devils Chimney at Leckhampton Hill; Belas Knap Long Barrow, Sudeley Castle and Hailes Abbey.

A full itinerary can be downloaded here

Taking part in the Walk for Len is at your own risk, the organisers take no responsibility for injury, bad weather or getting lost