Gloucestershire, Southwest England

2011 dates:  To be announced, but probably in late May or mid June. 
8 days/7 nights
This tour is not to be missed and is a real quintessential English gem!

A week of hugely varied walking in the enchanting Cotswolds - based in a classical 16th century Mill. converted to a lovely hotel in the charming small town of Nailsworth near Stroud and Regency Cheltenham. June and July are always a wonderful time of the year in England, the wild flowers are at their vibrant best and the fields and hedgerows are abundantly adorned with colour and all the pretty Cotswolds honey-coloured cottages are smothered in climbing roses and honeysuckle. And hopefully, all under clear blue skies - in bright warm sunshine too!

Within the Cotswold region, (Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire), there are well known gems that should not be missed, but there are also places that have remained hidden to all but the locals and visitors who seek out the rather less touristy places.
We know where to find them - and look forward to sharing them with you.

Over the years, we have visited this beautiful region many times and have discovered that although it is a very popular tourist destination, it is still possible to take beautiful scenic and historic walks where you don’t often meet other walkers. There seems to be parts of The Cotswolds that many tourists like to visit - the classic pretty villages and towns, etc - and in so doing, they often miss the other more secretive side - where we will also take you. So although we’ll include a few visits to some of the “honey pots” that you will have heard about, this will predominently be a walking tour that visits the less well known areas of this wonderfully diverse region.

We will walk the high wolds, along ancient ridgeways, through wooded coombs, along shady dis-used canals and past quiet quintessential Cotswolds villages. It’s actually the beautiful honey-coloured oolitic limestone that makes this region so very distinctive - and practically everything is made from it - not just the houses and larger buildings, but also the field walls and churches too. If appropriate, we’ll also visit some famous gardens, historical castles and ancient Roman villas/towns.

One day, we may pass Prince Charles' country house on our way to the nearby "Westonbirt Arboretum" - England’s finest collection of mature trees (600 acres) from all over the world. The National Acer (Maple) collection is based here. This is merely an option - you may prefer to just keep walking and exploring - we are always flexible!

The Hotel where you'll stay is charming and the eclectic staff could not be more charming or helpful. The Inn is right in the centre of the village of Nailsworth. All the hotel's rooms are well appointed and comfortable with en suite facilities.

Although it's difficult to predict the British climate very accurately, temperatures at this time of the year are often in the region of 19-28C (66-86F).

Walk with Martin and two of his best friends, John and Carole Sidgwick.

Ground costs in 2010 are £895.
No single room supplement. Including 3 course dinner, bed and breakfast, transport, all guidance - and the famous and always well enjoyed Adventureline picnic lunches!

Please contact us for a detailed illustrated itinerary and a booking form.

Hope to see you there! Martin, John and Carole.