Grey skies and the threat of rain – in many ways a typical February day in the South West. Even with low cloud hanging over the landscape, it felt exciting to be out in the Cotswolds, checking and updating one of our walks. We began at a 12th‑century Norman church in the heart of a quintessential Cotswolds village. We popped inside to admire its ancient, peaceful interior before joining the footpath.
Soon the fields opened out across classic rolling Cotswolds farmland. I paused to watch an egret glide overhead and land between two horses grazing contentedly. We followed the path past babbling streams lined with snowdrops, birdsong echoing around us – another sign that spring is on its way.
As we walked, I could feel the gentle rhythm of the countryside working its magic. The simple action of placing one foot in front of the other helping to calm both body and mind. The stresses of everyday life drifting away on the breeze.
Eventually the route began to climb toward the edge of the Cotswolds escarpment. After so long in the lowlands, the sudden drop of the land was striking. Even beneath heavy cloud, the views stretched across the River Severn and into Wales.
From there, we continued along a mix of the Cotswold Way and local footpaths, weaving through fields and trees until our trail led us down into a bustling market town with Roman origins – a wonderful end to a restorative day in the Cotswolds countryside.
Emma
This route is just one of our many Cotswolds trails, each one carefully curated to show you the best of the Cotswolds, away from the crowds. If you’d like to know more about our hiking and walking trips in the region, visit our Cotswolds trip page or send us an email.
