Posted on October 24, 2024
This time of year is perfect for putting on your sturdiest shoes and heading out into the fresh air for a wander with friends, family and our four legged friends. Being an area of outstanding beauty, we're luck enough to have countless routes to enjoy, from relaxing rambles to longer hikes that can be paired with a pub stop to warm up in front of a log fire while enjoying delicious food and hospitality. Here are our top eight pub walks in The Cotswolds.
North Cerney and The Bathurst Arms
The village of North Cerney can be found near Cirencester and gives you options for differing levels of walks.
For a simple stroll, wander around the village and take in the sights of the pretty 12th century church with its original stone altar, discovered in the early 1900s and returned to its rightful place. You will also find Cerney House built in 1600 for the Rich family, the gardens are open to the public year round with a self service tea room available.
For those that prefer a more adventurous hike, take the circular walk out to Rendcomb where you come across Rendcomb College, a Grade II, former country house which is now an independent school. Here you you will walk past some gorgeous French Renaissance style stables. Leaving Rendcombe behind, head towards Bagendon where the local church is thought to have be built in the Saxon times. The brook flows down to the river Churn which you follow back to North Cerney.
The Bathurst Arms, huddled along the River Churn, is the perfect place to put up your feet and warm up after some outdoor adventures. Full of rustic charm, cosy nooks and a fireplace, warm up with a cuppa or treat yourself to some of their delicious bistro pub classics with all ingredients sourced locally.
Cockleford and The Green Dragon Inn
Starting from Cockleford in the Churn Valley, where you will find an extensive network of footpaths that run from the Severn Springs to Cirencester, it is a short, tranquil walk to the village of Cowley. Cowley is beautiful village complete with honey hued buildings, a 12th Century church and inspiring views. A quaint chocolate box village.
On the outskirts you will find Cowley Manor, boasting 55 acres of grade II listed gardens plus parkland, woods and meadows.
Heading back to Cockleford, The Green Dragon Inn is ready to welcome you. Dating back to the 17th century it has long been a place of retreat for those who appreciate good food and wine. At lunchtime, light meals and sandwiches are available and The Green Dragon prides itself on its good stock of ales including guest ales and ciders.
Broadway and The Crown and Trumpet
The Broadway circular walk is the perfect choice for all abilities and ages. The town of Broadway is just off The Cotswold Way and perfect for exploring.
Walking out to Broadway Tower, enjoy the unspoilt land and nature of The Cotswolds. Broadway Tower is 65 feet tall, built over 200 years ago by Capability Brown. From the top on a clear day you can see over 13 counties giving you the opportunity to take in the entire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. While wandering the grounds, you may come across the resident herd of cute red deer and there’s a cafe on site for some quick refreshments before returning to the town.
Walking back into Broadway, look out for the Crown and Trumpet Pub. It was originally built in the 17th century from traditional Cotswold stone and during the winter months you can enjoy their open fire, mulled wine and hot toddies to warm up from the brisk winter walk.
For more activities or places to go in Broadway, make sure you check out our Broadway Area Guide.
Cleeve Common and The Lion Inn
Winchcombe is a medieval town that’s popular with walkers which is unsurprising given the collection of independent shops selling quality local produce plus the impressive views of Sudeley Castle.
From Winchcombe, follow the Cotswold Way to the ancient monument of Belas Knap Long Barrow. Belas Knap was constructed over 5500 years ago during the the early Neolithic period as a place to bury their dead. It’s thought that the people were likely to be cattle herders living by simple farming and hunting. From Bela Knap, head towards Cleeve Common until you reach Single Beech and the Iron Age forge. On a clear day you have impressive views as far as Wales.
Heading back into Winchcombe, stop in at The Lion Inn, a 15th century coaching inn. The Inn welcome dogs in the snug, bar and gardens and the menu that changes to work with ingredients from the season. In keeping with their ethos of keeping produce locally sourced, the inn invites locals to donate any excess produce in return for a drink and your name added by the dish used on the menu.
Blenheim Palace & The Bear Inn
Woodstock is a pretty Oxfordshire market town with plenty to offer by way of antique shops, artisan cafes, and pubs. But its greatest and most famous offering is the historical Blenheim Palace – a must-see during any trip to the area. Blenheim is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and its picturesque grounds and gardens.
Your walk begins through Old Woodstock, where you head over the River Glyme and through the fields following an old Roman road, now Akeman Street. You’ll now reach the entrance to Blenheim Park. As you saunter around the stunning grounds, you’ll see thousand-year-old oak trees, panoramic views across the lake and its impressive Grand Bridge, and of course, the Column of Victory, built in 1727-30 to commemorate the military victories of the first Duke of Malborough.
After your walk, you’ll be ready for some refreshment. We’d recommend heading back into Woodstock, where you’ll find The Bear Inn, one of England’s original 13th Century coaching inns. Its stone walls, oak beams, cosy fireplace and ivy facade make for a memorable experience to end your day. It’s also dog friendly so you can bring your four legged friends on this adventure.
Painswick to the Woolpack in Slad
This scenic walking route starts in Painswick, otherwise known as “The Queen of the Cotswolds”, a central point of the Cotswolds Way. This walk is gentle, leading you out of Painswick towards Nature Reserve, Bull Cross Common, and onwards to Slad.
Slad Valley offers stunning scenery. There’s also a historic, 300-year-old inn, The Woolpack, which provides a welcome watering hole at the end of your walk. There, they offer real ales and home cooked food against the breathtaking backdrop of the Slad Valley. If the Woolpack Inn gives you the energy to carry on, you could loop back around to complete your walk back to Painswick.
Painswick has so much to offer, and if your walk leads you to wanting more we have an area guide for Painswick here. Detailing the best hotels, sights and food spots.
Bourton-on-the-Water circular with The Black Horse
The walk begins in 'The Venice of the Cotswolds', a nickname afforded to Bourton-on-the-Water’s five stone bridges, which were built between 1654 and 1911. To start the walk, head for the war memorial in Bourton-on-the-Water. Head out of the village, facing the rolling valleys toward Lower Slaughter, before making your way to Upper Slaughter. It's one of England's thirteen 'doubly thankful' villages, which means every civilian who went to both wars, 25 in WW1 and 36 in WW2, returned home safely afterward.
From here you’ll walk along some of the Warden's Way, heading in the direction of Naunton. At this point you’ll come across The Black Horse Inn, which has been welcoming travellers through its doors since the 1870s. And with its welcoming fire, charming decor and legendary lamb roast, it’s the perfect resting point. Once you've had your fill, track the River Windrush back, finding yourself where you started in Bourton-on-the-Water.