Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe
Broadway Tower
Day Two found us seven kilometres farther in Bourton-on-the-Water for a two-night stay . It is known as “ the Venice of the Cotswolds ” because of its canals and their little bridges . The attractive Georgian and Jacobean structures are all made from the notable honey-coloured Cotswold limestone . Worth a visit are the Motoring Museum and the Model Village . On Day Three we made a side trip through the smaller villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter .
Our destination on Day Four was the village of Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle , the sole private castle in England to have a queen — Katherine Parr — buried within its grounds . Queen Katherine was the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII .
Day Five saw us spend the first of two nights in Broadway . But first , we walked to Stanton , a sleepy village whose one pub happened to be closed that day . Forewarned , we had packed lunches and sat among the gravestones in the local churchyard . From our starting point in Broadway the next day , a taxi transported us back to Stanton . That enabled us to do an extra loop and visit Snowshill Manor and the eclectic collection of its former owner , Charles Wade , an architect associated with the leading lights of the Arts and Crafts Movement .
On our penultimate day , we set out from Broadway . It was a relentless ascent to the crest of a hill to reach Broadway Tower . An eighteenth century folly , the tower is the brainchild of the famous English landscape designer , Lancelot “ Capability ” Brown . From this beautiful escarpment are commanding views over sixteen counties . That afternoon we entered Chipping Campden . A blue plaque on one of many fine houses informs passersby of writer Graham Greene ’ s brief stay there in the 1930s . Later , we gathered in the Noel Arms pub for a half-pint and delicious sticky toffee pudding . Pubs such as this one are a connection point for locals and their beloved dogs .
WALKING TRIP TRAVEL TIPS
Build up walking stamina beforehand .
Make sure you have waterproof footwear designed for hiking .
Pack a rain jacket and rain pants .
Hiking poles go in checked baggage . They aren ’ t allowed as carry-ons .
Wear long walking pants to protect from stinging nettle plants .
Tour providers book accommodations and arrange luggage transfers between villages .
Walking apps are more versatile than paper maps .
Carry a day pack with extra layers , snacks , water , a first aid kit , and more .
Tour providers will have more tips .
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