LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I alighted from a bus by a bus shelter at Bourton-on-the-Hill on the A44 main street, the 'Start of the Walk'. I walked up hill towards the Church of St. Lawrence for a few yards (metres) and then turned left along a street of cottages towards the south. There were no street names so it's difficult to describe the route taken. I passed the few cottages and a little open space to the first junction at a telephone box, then turned right along another very quiet residential street of homely cottages. After 100 yards (metres), I turned left at a finger post along a narrow straight path between more cottages. I continued ahead, downhill, to The Duckery Pond on the left and the delightful and mysterious Sezincote Indian House on the right. From the Sezincote Estate I headed uphill, then on a level to Longborough Village. I entered the village with the Church on the left, amongst the beautiful cottage gardens. The footpath ended at the village green, with the village cross on the left and the Coach & Horses Public House on the right. That was just one of the many places on the walk to have lunch and a pint if time allowed. As always a packed lunch can be enjoyed at almost any location, with magnificent views of the Cotswold countryside. From the Green I turned right on 'Charlesway' to the left bend and on to the first junction, 100 yards (metres), at the High Street. Turning right along High Street walking south, there were yet more wonderful Cotswold cottages with lots of character. I passed the Village Hall on the left, then after another 100 yards (metres) turned left down Banks Fee Lane, past a perfectly constructed new Cotswold stone wall on the left. I continued to the end of the lane and ahead on the footpath between a hedge and a field fence. Following the Way approximately south I walked through 'The Gorse' wood to the end of a footpath between two high hedges. There were good views from the start of the walk and especially on this particular section. I took a sharp right turn to walk along the shaded path to a main road A424. I was careful when crossing the road to a country lane towards Condicote Village. At the give way sign I continued straight, again towards Condicote. After approx 300 yards (metres) at the 'Y' junction, I took the left road to Upper Swell Village, down a steep hill to a valley with the Donnington Brewery on the right. I could only dream… I then continued along the lane to the B4077 and left to the village of Upper Swell, passing the Manor House on the left. I turned right at the finger post just before River Dikler. Care was required when finding the finger post in a stone wall with trees all around. I walked diagonally across two fields, then followed the field hedge to Bowl Farm and the gated road. I recommend that you look for the 'Lady's Well' by the gated road. Unfortunately I missed it but there is a lot of history attached to the well. I turned right across the field just before the end of the gated road, to Lower Swell Village, with the Church on the right. I walked along the short service road past the houses, to the main road. I turned left at the road, past the chickens, to the Memorial Cross on the Village Green, with the Village Hall on the right. Passing the village green and continuing to walk south for approx 100 yards (metres) I reached the minor road to Lower Slaughter. After about 200 yards (metres) I took the left fork down Mill Lane towards the River Dikler, then turned right at the mill to be joined by three other Ways to Lower Slaughter. That's four Ways in all: Heart of England, Gloucestershire, Monarch's and Macmillan Way. It's got to be a record for me. I walked over the many fields, passing Slaughter Woods, to approach Lower Slaughter Village at Copsehill Road by St Mary's Church. I turned right along Copsehill Road towards the River Eye and its very picturesque setting. You will not be disappointed. I continued on Copsehill Road alongside the river where the Clapper Bridge is a must for the Photo Album. I turned right at the finger post away from Copsehill Road and continued to follow the river. Keeping straight as the river turned left, I then turned right after the next field away from Monarch's Way, but with the Warden's Way. At the main road I turned right along the A429 and turned left at the lights, into Bourton-on-the-Water on Station Road. The railway no longer exists. I continued past Station Play Park and Our Lady and Saint Kenelm Church on the left, then Bourton Link/Meadow Way, again on the left. I turned right after the pedestrian lights at a finger post and a school barrier, along a passage to the High Street. I passed The Cotswold School on the right, half way along the passage with St Lawrence's Church on the left just before the High Street. I turned left along the High Street to see the Chocolate Box setting of the Memorial Cross and the Waterside Walk. That was the perfect end to a perfect walk through the Cotswolds and the beautiful Cotswold villages, in early Spring. Oh I wish I could live there. What a journey I had back to the car. In short the bus was cancelled at very short notice. But that's another story...

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Bourton-on-the-Hill