Ride 23 in the Cotswolds on Horseback series. Print

Naunton, Hawling Waypoint 1
Naunton Hawling & Salperton Ride 23 in the Cotswolds on Horseback series. Approx. 33km (20.5 miles) with two fords and one short but very steep ascent. Directions given from the Harford Bridge crossroads (Grid reference SP129229) and parking available by arrangement for a small fee with Mrs. Marion Wood at Eastern Hill Farm, Naunton (SP125233), please telephone 01451 850715.From the crossroads, ride along the lane into Naunton, past the Village Hall and where the road bends left, continue straight ahead. At T junction, go straight across onto restricted byway (RB) and follow this track to the next lane. Turn right and in 200m, turn left (RB) and follow this track for 1.8km to a lane. Turn right and cross the River Windrush and almost immediately turn left into a narrow lane (unsuitable for motors) to the hamlet of Barton and continue to T junction. Turn left, go through the ford to the next junction.

Naunton, Hawling Waypoint 2
For the shortcut (2.7km shorter), continue straight ahead, over the crossroads and turn right on the bridleway (BW) opposite Roel Farm. Follow BW to lane, turn left to rejoin the main route at waypoint 3. For the main route, turn right on the lane (unsuitable for motors) through Castlett Wood. At the T junction, turn left along this lane for 2.2km. Just before Lynes Barn farm buildings, turn left through a gate into a field and head uphill following the bridleway (BW) to an enclosed track to the lane. Turn left along the lane for 50m.

Naunton, Hawling Waypoint 3
Turn right into a field (If joining from the shortcut, turn left) and take the left hand BW, ignoring the BW to the right (Wardens Way). Continue for several fields, coming eventually onto an enclosed track and passing Roel Hill Farm. At the lane, cross straight over and continue on BW (Windrush Way and Sabrina Way) for 1.6km into Hawling, reaching a lane. Continue straight on for 1.4km, going straight on at a crossroads, to come to the A436. Cross straight over into field and follow BW to meet a downhill track to a lane. At T junction, turn right, go through Salperton to the war memorial.

Naunton, Hawling Waypoint 4
Turn left and where the road bears right, go through gate beside cattlegrid (Gloucestershire Way). After 250m, turn right through field gate onto enclosed track (Beech Lane, BW). Follow BW (through another gate) to a junction on the edge of Hazelton. Turn left and in 350m turn left again onto BW (Diamond Way) passing Kiteshill Barn and continuing now on a tarmac drive to the lane

Naunton, Hawling Waypoint 5
Turn left and in 150m, turn right on the lane to Notgrove. Turn left and in 150m, turn right on the lane to Notgrove. On reaching a crossing of lanes, with circular surrounding walls, go straight ahead (towards Manor Farm and Church) and follow the lane as it bears right. Just past outbuildings, turn left through gate into field (BW, Gloucestershire Way). Exit the field in the far right corner and turn right along the track. In 100m, turn left on BW to the lane.

Naunton, Hawling Waypoint 6
Turn left and at a junction, turn right towards Bourton on the Water and Cheltenham to come to the A436. Cross straight over and continue to the hamlet of Aylworth. Follow the lane, cross the valley bottom, begin to ascend turn right, up the bank and through gate into a field (there may be horses grazing here). Follow BW across the fields to a BW junction by a gate, dont go through the gate but turn down the bank to go through gate by the stream and continue to the lane. Turn left along the lane, cross the ford and return to Harford Bridge.