Bath and the wiltshire cotswolds Walk

A Five day walking holiday beginning and ending in Bath, It is best to commence this walking tour of the Bath and Wiltshire Cotswolds on a Sunday or Thursday to ensure a favourable choice of accommodation.

Bath with its showcase of classical Georgian architecture is recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is one of only four European cities designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the others being Florence, Venice and Strasbourg.
Bath’s Georgian terraces, crowned by the magnificent Royal Circus and Royal Crescent, climb dramatically up the hillsides, while the historic centre, where the Roman baths and ancient abbey still stand, is in a splendid location by the River Avon.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Overnight in Bath

Day 2:
Bath to Bradford-on-Avon. (20kms/12.5miles)
Start from central Bath and walk to Sham Castle with fine views of Bath. Walk over the Dundas aquaduct to elegant Freshford and along a quiet valley to Farleigh Hungerford with its fine 14th century castle. Then through Barton Farm, with its magnificent tithe barn, to Bradford-on-Avon, one of the loveliest small towns in Britain with picturesque 17th century bridge, a complete Saxon church and tiers of Gerogian townhouses and 16th century weavers cottages. (This walk can be shortened by taking a bus to Limpley Stoke.)

Day 3:
Bradford to Lacock. (21kms/13miles)
From Bradford-on-Avon walk across rolling countryside to the picture-book village of Monkton Farleigh. Then to Kingswood with views of the Wiltshire Downs and Bath, and on to the handsome small town of Box. From there it is a short walk to Corsham, noted for Corsham Court, an Elizabethan mansion dating from 1582 which now houses a fine art collection. From here it is a short walk to Lacock, an exquisite village much used for films and movies, for overnight.

Day 4:
Lacock to Castle Combe. (19kms/10miles)
Pass through Corsham to join the picturesque By Brook Valley. Continue to Slaughterford and thence to Castle Combe, undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages in England, with its clear stream, ancient bridge and market place. Overnight Castle Combe.

Day 5:
Castle Combe to Bath. (21kms/13 miles)
Head south back towards Bath, walking along the beautiful St. Catherine Valley to Bath east on from where you have the choice of taking a bus into the centre of Bath or walking along the Avon to complete your journey. Overnight Bath.

Details

Price

Bath & Wiltshire - £325 pp. Mix of hotels and B & B: on request

Tailoring your walk

This holiday can be undertaken in fewer nights if you choose to walk from Bradford-on- Avon to Castle Combe (staying in Castle Combe overnight) and then return directly to Bath.

Contact us at walking@star.co.uk or Tel: (44) (0)1242 254353

Additional Information

What To Take

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit

When To Go

Mid-April to mid-September. Accommodation will be difficult to obtain on UK national holidays unless booked well in advance (and may require an alteration to the programme).

Insurance

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.