Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
along Hoo Lane, and when the surfaced lane ends a farm track continues
ahead, rising easily uphill. This is soon accompanied by a footpath, which
begins by some barns and eventually brings you to Kincomb Lane. Bear
left for about 100 metres, to find a signpost directing you across the road
and between fields on an enclosed footpath.
Note that the original metal signposts along the Cotswold Way give dis-
tances in kilometres, while the new national trail oak posts are measured
in miles.
The path leads to a kissing gate, through which you then turn left along
the edge of the escarpment with views extending across the Vale of Eve-
sham - the first of many fine panoramas to be enjoyed along the Cotswold
Way. Some seats have been placed here, to make the most of the view,
and one of these is found by a topograph marking
Dover's Hill
. From
here it is said that on a clear day you can see 60 miles (96km) across the
Worcestershire Plain towards Wales. Nearby, in the corner of the meadow
by a gate leading into a car park, there's a memorial stone dedicated to
Captain Robert Dover.
DOVER'S HILL
Owned by the National Trust, at 755ft (230m) Dover's Hill is one of many fine
vantage points along the Cotswold escarpment. It was named after Captain Robert
Dover (1582-1652), a wealthy and somewhat eccentric lawyer who organised his first
'Olympick Games' there in 1612. The games included leapfrog, wrestling, skittles and
'shin-kicking', and apart from an interruption during the Civil War, the games contin-
ued annually until 1852. Dover's Olympics were revived in 1951, and now take place
each spring bank holiday.
Pass through the gate and cross the National Trust car park to a country
lane where you bear left, then wander downhill to a small crossroads. Now
head to the right, once again following Kingcomb Lane towards Willer-
sey and Broadway. (The left-hand grass verge is the safest place to walk
here.) Along this stretch, half-hidden on the right on the edge of Weston
Park Wood, is the Kiftsgate Stone, which marks the site of a Saxon meet-
ing place. After about 400 metres leave the lane by way of a stone stile on
the left next to a field gate. A few paces later bear right through a gap in
a stone wall on the edge of a spinney. This brings you to the Mile Drive.
The Mile Drive is a broad grassy avenue with views now to the left
(south-east) into Tilbury Hollow. Halfway along it you cross a farm drive
