This January, David and I spent a few days in the Cotswolds exploring new routes and trails. It’s been wonderful having the time to explore this region that we know so well (and which never fails to surprise us with new views and experiences).
David grew up here and several of my cousins and an aunt and uncle farm here. So it’s very familiar ground.
Saturday was a perfect winter’s day. Frost glistened on the grass in the early morning sunshine. The skies were bright blue and there was barely any wind.
Our drop-off service took David and I up to a hill in a Cotswolds estate. We had 12 miles ahead of us as we set off on a research trip for what we hoped would be a new Foot Trail.
The winter landscape held a serene calmness. Our eager chatter the only noise.
A Cotswolds stone wall made a great spot to rest! We crossed stone stiles and walked deeper into the English countryside.
Our exploration was rewarded with a couple of wildlife sightings. A muntjac deer stood by a woodland; a green woodpecker flew up to our right and into a tree. Buzzards called shrilly overhead, and a large one took off from the fence close to us.
We paused in the porch of an ancient church to enjoy our lunch, mulling over the thousands of pairs of feet who had walked before us over the centuries.
Our walk led us to a beautiful village far from the tourist trail. Here, Cotswolds stone cottages and houses stood to be admired and a pink tinge to the sky signified the approach of dusk.
The silence was broken by dozens of crows calling and flying home to roost in the treetops.
With our hearts happy and our legs a little tired we descended the hill, seemingly stepping into the view. And lights from our Cotswolds stone country pub soon twinkled in front of us.
We arrived back to our room, put the kettle on for a mug of tea and looked back over our photos from the day. The perfect end to a great day’s walking.
Happy Trails
Alison
If you are interested in walking the Cotswolds and would like an example itinerary and brochure or more information, simply send us an email.
