Blockley & Bourton-on-the-Hill Circular

Cotswolds Walk

Pub Walk + Countryside + Villages

Walk Route Description

A lovely circular walk from Blockley exploring the surrounding Cotswold countryside of rolling hills and patchwork of pastures and woodland. The route includes the attractive villages of Bourton-on-the-Hill and Longborough, the parkland surrounding Sezincote House and follows sections of the Heart of England Way, Monarch's Way and Diamond Way.

The walk starts from Lower Street below the junction with St Georges Terrace in Blockley (grid ref. SP165350) where on street parking is usually available. After parking walk south downhill taking care on the sections where there is no pavement. Ignore the first road on the left signed to Pasture Farm and take the next footpath on the left (Heart of England Way & Monarch's Way). Follow waymarked rising path across fields to a T-junction (grid ref. SP169340). Turn left and after 150 metres turn right and follow path uphill across fields and through a small wood to a lane (grid ref. SP173366). Turn right along the lane, keep ahead at the next junction and turn left along a signed bridleway which leads to the A44 in Bourton-on-the Hill.

Turn left and continue past the church to turn right into the next road. Turn right by the phone box and then left to rejoin the Heart of England Way. Follow the way marked path south across fields into the parkland of Sezincote House which can be seen in the distance on your right. Maintain direction across fields to reach a road in Longborough (grid ref. SP178296). A short distance to the left is The Coach and Horses but the walk turns right. Follow the road for 600 metres to a T-junction. Cross to the gate opposite and follow path through a small wood to exit onto the A424.

Turn right and almost immediately left along a lane Turn right along a clear track (there is a signed footpath through trees before the track but was overgrown). Continue along the track past the ruins of Hans Hall Garm on your right. When the track swings left continue ahead and follow path down to a lane by Hinchwick Manor (grid ref. SP146301). Briefly turn left and then first right to follow the Diamond Way north through woodland and across Bourton Down to reach a track (grid ref. SP144320). Turn left and then right onto a bridleway which leads to a road.

Cross to a tarmac drive opposite rejoining the Diamond Way. Pass cottages, cross a cattle grid and turn immediately right and then left beside a stream on your left. Continue past woodland to reach the A44 (grid ref. SP147337). Cross the road with care heading diagonally right and pass through a gate at the end of a wall. The route crosses a field to join a track. Continue past Warren Farm on the left to join a track which swings right through trees and leads to High Street in Blockley. Turn left and continue along High Street for about 600 metres before bearing right into the churchyard. Follow path through churchyard to exit onto Lower Street.