Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ited strip maps published here. Five Landranger sheets cover the length of
the Cotswold Way: numbers 150, 151, 162, 163 and 172. But for greater
detail you may prefer to use the OS Explorer series at a scale of 1:25,000
(2½ inches = 1 mile or 4cm = 1km). Again, five of these sheets will be
needed for the complete Cotswold Way: numbers OL45, 155, 167, 168 and
179.
Perhaps the most convenient mapping of the route, however, is that
published by Harvey Maps at a scale of 1:40,000 (a fraction over 1½
inches: 1 mile, or 2½cm = 1km). The single sheet 'Cotswold Way' depicts
the route on seven strip maps, each of which is contained within an indi-
vidual fold. Printed on waterproof paper, the sheet also contains additional
information, plus street maps showing the route in detail through Chipping
Campden and Bath. The only limitation of Harvey's Cotswold Way map is
the restricted amount of country shown beyond the route's corridor.
USING THE GUIDE
For the majority of the route, waymarking and signposts should be suffi-
cient to make detailed guidebook descriptions superfluous. But in case of
doubt, or if a crucial waymark or sign is missing, the route is described
as found on my most recent walking of it in its entirety in 2004, with
re-routed sections checked in the spring of 2007. However, upgrading to
national trail status has led to a few more sections being highlighted for
re-routing and improvement in the future. Should any of these new sec-
tions be opened during the lifetime of this guidebook's printing, they will
no doubt be given plenty of signing, so if you find that the route described
here varies from that on the ground, you are advised to follow the way-
marked alternative (if, of course, the waymark bears the CW symbol).
Notification of any major changes along the way will be borne in mind for
future editions of this guidebook, and a postcard detailing any variations,
errors or anomalies, sent to me via the publisher, will be greatly appreci-
ated.
For the purpose of this guide, the route has been divided into 13 sep-
arate sections dictated by the existence of overnight accommodation. The
longest of these is 10 miles (16km), the shortest 6 miles (9½km). How
many days you take to walk the full 102 miles (164km) is down to person-
al choice, of course, but by doubling some of these stages, the Cotswold
Way could be walked in as little as five days for those prepared to aver-
 
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