Classic Cotswold Walk

Quintessential Cotswolds: postcard-pretty villages, honey-coloured houses, tea shops and rose-clad cottages Crystal clear rivers, ancient oak woods, rolling hills and fields full of lavender Charming Broadway, Jewel of the Cotswolds' and Bourton-on-the-Water, arguably the prettiest village in England Iron Age forts, Saxon castles, Roman paths and Mediaeval churches Flexible, interest-packed walking routes; high quality inns full of character

New for summer 2010, Headwater's independent circular walk is run by our expert local partners and begins by the River Windrush in Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. After one night here you walk to the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe, (famous for Sudeley Castle), before an escarpment trail with fantastic valley views leads to the world-famous coaching village of Broadway. From here you walk up to Broadway Tower, a tiny hilltop castle, before descending to C12 Moreton-in-the Marsh along the old Roman Fosse Way, then walk back to end in Bourton.

En route, you'll pass fields of purple lavender stretching into the distance, and hear thundering hooves on racing gallops as prize horses are exercised for Ascot; you'll see Iron Age forts standing sentinel on ancient hilltops, and visit stone follies marking viewpoints from where Oliver Cromwell supervised the burning of local Abbeys.

Everywhere you walk, you'll come across welcoming village pubs with friendly owners and excellent menus, and pass through villages so perfectly preserved they are used as locations for TV period dramas! Walks are all designed at fflevel, however, all can be shortened by taxi transfer for a small supplement.

Throughout you’ll stay in high quality, hand-picked country inns and historic hotels oozing with quintessential charm and character, and with a choice of restaurants on your doorstep, evening meals are a further highlight of this holiday.