PDF, 4507kb - Cotswolds AONB

æ
3
4
5
miles
0
1
2
3
4
km
To Evesham
30
æ
A44
7
29
47
Chipping Campden
River
Isbourne
æ
Dumbleton
To Birmingham
A46
Snowshill
Tewkesbury
38
32
M5
Moreton-in-Marsh
25
A40
To Ross-on-Wye
Gloucester
67
3
Thames Path National Trail
River
Severn
17
Dursley
Minchinhampton & Rodborough Commons (NT)
13
M5
47
1
47
15
47
3.
47
Painswick Beacon
47
47
47
1
4. Selsley Common
5.
47
Wottonunder-Edge
47
47
47
47
1
47
47
47
47
1
Stonesfield Common
47
1
Source of the
River Thames
2
47
47
A46
47
47
1
47
limestone grassland sites still to be found in the Cotswolds.
To Cardiff
æ
6. Barrow Wake (Birdlip)
8. Broadway Tower
M4
63
Malmesbury
A420
æ
9. Coaley Peak
47
47
1
47
47
47
11. Haresfield Beacon (NT)
47
47
1
47
47
14
70
47
13. Stinchcombe Hill
47
47
47
Corsham
47
60
47
14. Tog Hill
15. Tyndale Monument
51
47
36
47
47
1
47
Burford’s cathedral-like
23. Barton Farm Country Park
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47
The unique folly of Broadway Tower was built on an ancient
beacon site and has views as far as the Welsh mountains.
27. Cotswold Farm Park
æ
Nature reserves are perfect places to get up close to flora and
42
23
47
1
47
47
47
47
47
35. Painswick Rococo Garden
37. Sezincote House & Gardens
38. Stanway House & Fountain
47
47
47
20. Greystones Farm Nature Reserve (Gloucestershire WT)
21. Radway Meadows Nature Reserve (Warwickshire WT)
47
47
47
1
47
47
47
39. Upton House & Gardens (NT)
40. Woodchester Park (NT)
wealthy medieval
merchants in the golden
era of the trade.
47
47
47
47
1
Battlefields
45. Chastleton House (NT)
47
47
33. National Arboretum, Westonbirt
1
Bradfordon-Avon
47
32. Mill Dene Garden
47
built or endowed by
44. Burford Church
47
47
47
31. Lodge Park & Sherborne Estate (NT)
36. Prior Park (NT)
many ‘wool churches’,
43. Blenheim Palace
30. Kiftsgate Court Garden
17. Cotswold Commons & Beechwoods National Nature Reserve
Historic buildings
42. Avoncliff & Dundas Aqueducts (EH)
29. Hidcote Manor Garden (NT)
16. Brown’s Folly Nature Reserve (Avon WT)
is one of the region’s
41. Arlington Row (NT)
28. Dyrham Park (NT)
34. Newark Park (NT)
19. Foxholes Nature Reserve (Berks, Bucks & Oxon WT)
Limpley Stoke
To Frome æ
the bee orchid.
18. Elliott (Swift’s Hill) Nature Reserve
(Gloucestershire WT)
16
Bath
47
A4
66. Chedworth (NT)
68. North Leigh (EH)
22. Abbey House Gardens
Nature reserves
47
47
47
one of 15th-century England’s richest men.
Gardens, parks and arboreta
To Reading
To Chippenham
æ
Roman villas
was home to Richard III’s henchman Lord Lovell,
25. Bourton House Garden
Marshfield
47
47
10. Dover’s Hill (NT)
Castle
Combe
Belas Knap: A particularly fine example of a Neolithic Long
St John the Baptist Church
fauna and are home to many types of wildflowers such as
To Bristol
1
A40
Minster Lovell Hall, now a picturesque ruin,
26. Crickley Hill Country Park
28
Bredon Hill National Nature Reserve
47
To Oxford/London
River
Thames
Badminton
Viewpoints
12. Leckhampton Hill
68
67. Great Witcombe (EH)
Yate
7.
5
31 people were found in the chambers.
24. Batsford Arboretum
Painswick Beacon is one of around 400 flower-rich
47
47
chambers. Excavated in 1863 and 1865, the remains of
To Faringdon æ
22
Hawkesbury
Upton
47
Barrow of c3,800 BC, featuring a false entrance and side
æ To Swindon
and Cotswold Water Park
A433
33
47
1
52
50
48
Fairford
Tetbury
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47
47
47
47
47
Woodstock
43
47
47
47
47
Stonesfield
Bibury
Cirencester
A433
47
47
Charlbury
47
47
47
65. Windmill Tump Long Barrow (EH)
Chadlington
44
Burford
A40
47
47
64. Uley Bury hill fort
Leafield
River 31
Leach
47
63. Sodbury Camp hill fort
Great Rissington
53
47
47
1
62. Rollright Stones (EH)
A361
Northleach
46
47
47
47
47
19
River
Windrush
65
34
61. Nympsfield Long Barrow (EH)
Coln St Aldwyns
Minchinhampton
54
60. Little Solsbury Hill (NT)
Witney
41
Nailsworth
59. Uley Long Barrow (Hetty Pegler’s Tump)
A429
A4135
47
66
Chedworth
18
40
61
59
64
To Bristol
47
47
River
Churn
Escape to
the Cotswolds
visitor centre
A419
57
9
æ
2.
Stonehouse
47
47
A417
Painswick
Stroud
4
Wildflower grassland
47
A435
11
The Thames Path National Trail starts near Cirencester
at the source of the River Thames then follows the
river for 184 miles (296km) down to London, finishing
at the Thames Barrier, Greenwich.
Cleeve Common
6
River
Coln
58. Belas Knap Long Barrow (EH)
æ
To Oxford
20
12
‘King’s Men’ has become veiled in legend.
Chipping
Norton
45
River
Evenlode
Bourton-onthe-Water
A429
Andoversford
26
M5
A436
A46
35
1.
A40
Lower
Slaughter
Long
Compton
62
Naunton
27
æ
This 102-mile (164 km) trail, between Chipping
Campden and Bath, follows the dramatic limestone
scarp and offers exhilarating vistas. The AONB is
famous for wonderfully diverse walking, including
gentle strolls, hilly hikes, long distance paths, short
circular rambles and wheelchair-friendly ‘walks on
wheels’.
71
Stow-onthe-Wold
56
Cheltenham
Hill forts, long barrows
and standing stones
Stones, whose circle of 77 oolitic limestone
A3400
37
49
1
Who knows the exact ceremonial purpose
of the Neolithic and Bronze Age Rollright
A44
A424
Banbury
Lower Brailes
24
55
To London
æ
39
To Stratfordupon-Avon
A429
8
Winchcombe 58
Cotswold Way National Trail
To Warwick
Broadway 10
Escape to the Cotswolds and enjoy the great outdoors in a magical
landscape. There is so much to see and do in this area, from walking,
cycling or riding across the hills, to exploring one of the many gardens,
heritage sites or nature reserves. Come for a day or stay for a week and
discover a beautiful part of rural England.
To Birmingham
21
Mickleton
5
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
M40
69
æ
2
æ
1
æ
Cotswolds
0
47
47
69. Edgehill (1642)
46 Chavenage House
70. Lansdown Hill (1643)
47. Chipping Campden Church
47
47
48. Fairford Church
47
47
47
47
1
(English Civil War)
71. Stow-on-the-Wold (1646)
47
49. Hailes Abbey (NT) & Church
Key
50. Keble Bridge (clapper bridge)
51. Malmesbury Church
52. Minster Lovell Hall & Dovecote (EH)
53. Northleach Church
Cotswold Way National Trail
Thames Path National Trail
Visitor Information Centre
54. Owlpen Manor
Motorways
55. Snowshill Manor (NT)
A Roads
56. Sudeley Castle
Railways/stations
57. Woodchester Mansion (EH)
River
WT Wildlife Trust
47
47
47
47
The Cistercian abbey of Hailes was founded in 1246
47
1
47
47
47
by the Earl of Cornwall. Today just a few of the cloister
47
47
47
1
47
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47
arches remain along with the foundations of the church.
NT National Trust
EH English Heritage
Limestone grasslands are precious places and rich
habitats for wildlife, often containing more than
100 species of wildflowers and grasses, and over
25 species of butterflies.
Rare bats, butterflies, orchids, water voles and skylarks
are among many species to keep a stronghold in the
Cotswolds thanks to careful conservation of habitat.
The Cotswolds is one of the
country’s most treasured
and quintessentially English
landscapes.
Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB) since 1966, the Cotswolds covers 790 sq
miles (2,038 sq km) and lies between the enticing
towns and cities of Bath, Cheltenham, Oxford and
Stratford-upon-Avon.
It is a varied landscape of rolling hills and tranquil
valleys, ancient woodlands and wildflower
grasslands, criss-crossed with dry stone walls and
an extensive network of footpaths and long distance
trails like the spectacular Cotswold Way. Amid it
all are picturesque villages and captivating market
towns built out of the famous Jurassic limestone
that underpins the region and gives it its warmth
and distinctive quality.
Beech woodland.
Pyramidal orchid.
Duke of Burgundy butterfly.
Heritage
People have settled in the Cotswolds for more than
6,000 years, shaping the landscape so enjoyed today.
Delve into the mysteries
of ancient belief systems
at Neolithic long barrows
and scale Iron Age hill
forts. In the Roman era
the area prospered –
witness the great villas,
roads and towns like
Cirencester – and in the
heyday of the medieval
wool trade, stunning
churches and manor
Chastleton House.
houses rose. You’ll also
find many notable deeds and people commemorated
at historic homes and battlefields.
Nympsfield Long Barrow.
The Cotswold sheep, known as Cotswold Lions, are
renowned for their long, thick fleece and at one time
provided wool for much of England’s cloth. Burford’s
The Tyndale Monument, built in 1866 in honour of William
Tyndale who translated the New Testament into English, is one
of several viewpoints along the scarp edge and Cotswold Way
offering sweeping vistas towards the River Severn and beyond.
Exploring the Cotswolds
Uley Bury.
Beautiful by design
Look out from any viewpoint and contours etched
by man and nature reveal a rich landscape history.
The Cotswold Hills represent the best known section
of an outcrop of Jurassic limestone that runs northeast from the Dorset coast to the North Sea off
Yorkshire.
It’s the geology of the area that underpins the special
character of the Cotswolds. With colours ranging
from silver-grey to gold, the limestone gives local
towns and villages their organic, harmonious look
Over 4,000 miles (6,437
km) of dry stone walls run
through the Cotswolds.
A defining feature of the
landscape, they provide
valuable shelter and act as
wildlife corridors – nesting
birds, slow worms, bees and
the UK’s only population of
the endangered snail Lauria
sempronii are found here.
Wander some of the finest gardens and arboreta in
the country – Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
alone boasts 16,000 trees and five national
collections.
The curious Devil’s Chimney
limestone pillar is a popular
Hill.
Dry stone walls are
an important feature
landscape.
Paul Groom
Gardens of grandeur
landmark on Leckhampton
of the Cotswolds
Savour hills, rivers, meadows and villages the
‘green’ way: walking, cycling and horse riding.
National Arboretum, Westonbirt.
Chipping Norton High Street.
There’s magic
for every season,
from snowdrops at
Painswick Rococo
Garden to fiery
autumn colours at
Stanway House & Fountain.
Batsford Arboretum.
Admire the world’s tallest gravity-fed fountain at
Stanway House or
England’s largest
rose at Kiftsgate,
and explore the
‘lost landscape’
of Woodchester’s
18th/19th-century
park and lakes.
Bourton House Garden.
Pick up a copy of Long Distance
Paths in the Cotswolds to find
out more about the Cotswold
Way and other great walking
routes in the area.
For further information: www.
nationaltrail.co.uk/cotswold
and creates a strong sense of unity between the built
and natural environment.
Over half the country’s flower-rich limestone
grassland is to be found in the Cotswolds, a product
of the AONB’s underlying geology combined with
centuries of traditional grazing. The very name
‘Cotswold’ derives from ‘sheep shelters’ (cots) ‘in
rolling hills’ (wolds), and today mixed farmland covers
most of the AONB, framed by characteristic networks
of hedges and dry stone walls.
always a welcoming pub or
tearoom for refreshment!
Get the spirits soaring and endorphins flowing –
whatever your mood and ability, there’s a route for
you. More than 20 long distance routes and 3,000
miles (4,828 km) of public footpaths criss-cross
the AONB, from easygoing ‘miles without stiles’ or
towpath saunters along the Kennet & Avon Canal,
to bracing climbs (and views) at Bredon Hill. Go it
alone with a map, download route guides, or join
one of the AONB’s many free guided walks offered
by Cotswold Voluntary Wardens throughout the
year. There’s an annual walking festival centred on
Winchcombe and other towns during the year. Horse
riding is also popular and cycling is a fantastic way
to explore: choose
the South Cotswolds
for gentler slopes
and the northern
escarpments for a
challenge. There’s a
spot around every
corner that’s ideal
for a picnic.
Looking after the AONB
The Cotswolds
Conservation Board
works to conserve and
enhance the natural
beauty of the AONB, to
increase understanding
and enjoyment of its
special qualities, and
foster the social and
economic well-being of local communities.
You, too, can play your part, observing the
Countryside Code, using public transport – check out
good value Cotswolds Discoverer bus/train tickets
– and making the most of ‘Our Land’ sustainable
tourism experiences to reduce your carbon footprint.
You can also help to look after the AONB by
volunteering, taking part in rural skills or even making
a simple donation through one of the local businesses
participating in the Cotswolds Visitor Giving Scheme.
Discover, explore
and enjoy
Find out more about the Cotswolds Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty at
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
For great things to see and do, upcoming events,
walking and cycling, attractions and getting around,
go to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk
For great places to stay and Cotswolds experiences,
go to www.our-land.co.uk
Why not begin your visit to the Cotswolds by
popping in to ‘Escape to the Cotswolds’ visitor centre,
located at the Old Prison, Fosse Way, Northleach,
Gloucestershire GL54 3JH, telephone 01451 862000.
For details of opening hours, activities and events go
to www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/centre
Local produce
The farming way of life in the Cotswolds means
it’s easy to buy scrumptious fresh, quality fare –
and support local producers.
Farmers’ markets and shops are brimming with local
artisan cheeses, ice cream, fruit, meat, preserves, beer,
fruit juices and more. Great for picnics, great for a
thriving Cotswolds.
Regular farmers’ markets take place at many towns
and villages including Stroud, Bath, Cheltenham,
Chipping Norton and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Published by:
Cotswolds Conservation Board
Fosse Way, Northleach,
Gloucestershire GL54 3JH
Tel: 01451 862000
facebook.com/Cotswoldsaonb
twitter.com/cotswoldsaonb
Designed by: Touchmedia 01242 519914. Illustrations: Steve Roberts. Copywriting: Siân Ellis. The majority of photographs used in this publication are by Nick Turner.
Welcome
Cotswold Lion.
Hike it all or enjoy
a short circular
‘taster’ route, striding
through panoramic
scenery, open pasture,
beech woods and
picturesque villages.
The half-way mark is
the charming old mill
town of Painswick and
you’ll pass numerous
historic houses, follies
and archaeological
sites, plus there’s
The Cotswolds
Northleach church.
The 102-mile (164 km) National Trail along the scarp
between the market town of Chipping Campden in
the north and the City of Bath in the south threads
together some of the best sights and experiences in
the Cotswolds.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
With three National Nature Reserves, 89 Sites of
Special Scientific Interest, internationally important
beech woods and wildflower grasslands, the
Cotswolds supports an exceptional diversity
of flora and fauna.
Cotswold Way
Visitor map & guide
cathedral-like St John the Baptist Church is one of
the region’s many ‘wool churches’, built or endowed
by wealthy medieval merchants in the golden era
of the trade. Other splendid examples include the
wool churches at Northleach, Chipping Campden
and Cirencester.
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Precious by nature