Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SECTION 2
Stanton to Winchcombe
Distance
8 miles (12½km)
Maps
Harvey's Cotswold Way 1:40,000
OS Landranger 150 Worcester, The Malverns & Surrounding Area
1:50,000
OS Explorer OL45 The Cotswolds 1:25,000
Accommodation
Stanway, Wood Stanway, Hailes and Winchcombe
Refreshments
Hailes and Winchcombe
A series of field paths leads the continuing way out of Stanton to Stanway, then along
the foot of the slope to reach Wood Stanway from where a steep ascent is made to
Stumps Cross. The only real climb on this part of the walk, it's followed by an easy
track (the ancient Campden Lane) to Beckbury Camp and Cromwell's Clump, from
where it is said Thomas Cromwell watched as Hailes Abbey was dismantled. Field paths
take you to a narrow lane that leads beside orchards to the remains of Hailes Abbey
(worth a visit), then across more fields to Winchcombe.
Apart from the steep climb above Wood Stanway, this is an easy, gentle stage. It
wanders through peaceful countryside with soft views to enjoy, not only from the scarp
edge, but also from the foot of the slope, where you gaze off to isolated hills (outliers)
such as Alderton Hill near Toddington, and Oxenton Hill north-west of Winchcombe.
On entering the village street in Stanton, turn left and wander between
honey-coloured cottages (note the medieval village cross halfway
through), and bear left where the road forks shortly after passing the
church. When it curves to the right, go straight ahead on a farm drive, and
after about 80 metres pass a red, corrugated-iron Dutch barn, then bear
right through a gate. The continuing footpath skirts the base of the hills,
while off to your right spread the lowlands of the Vale of Evesham, broken
here and there by groups of individual hills and distant green ridges topped
by woodlands, a soft, gentle landscape to admire.
