PLAP 11 The Cotswold Hills Gloucestershire (10 miles)) Print

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 1
Parking is possible at most times of the year on wide grass verges just north of Guiting Power, or at the car park shown on the OS map east of Guiting Wood. Although the latter is in a lovely location - especially for waiting vehicle drivers - it is very small. However, the route has been started here because it is closer to the other options suggested for anyone seeking a shorter drive/ride. The main route for this ride or drive follows the longest path around the outside of the route; however it can be divided into a number of smaller routes, which are shown on the map. From the car park, turn down the hill towards the ford on Critchford Lane and Kineton. Continue for approximately 1.5 miles before turning left at Kineton T junction signed to Guiting Power.

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 2
Immediately on entering Temple Guiting turn left up a steep hill on an old drovers road marked as Unsuitable for motors (parking is also possible at the top of this hill). Continue down the other side of the hill and along the lane.

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 3
Where three tracks meet, bear right and continue downhill until the lane becomes a track as you enter the woods.

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 4
Continue through the wood following the Winchcombe Way signs and carved Farmcote estate gates until reaching a tarmac surfaced lane. Then continue along this for approximately one mile to the T-junction. Here you turn left (signed Winchcombe) and follow a straight lane with good visibility rising gradually up a hill.

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 5
Turn left at the next T-junction signed Guiting Power, and then left again at the next junction onto a B road. Continue for approximately a quarter mile. Traffic here can be comparatively fast.

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 6
Turn right off the B road onto the old Salt Road signed to Brockhamton and drive or ride approximately 1.5 miles to the next crossroads.

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 7
Cross over the road (signed Naunton) and follow for approximately one mile until reaching a left turn signed to Hawling village.

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 8
Continue into the village and past the Methodist Chapel, after which you turn left (signed Guiting Power (gated road)). This takes you along the bottom of a steep-sided valley through true Cotswold grassland countryside to Hawling Lodge. Continue along this lane until reaching Guiting Power (approximately 1.25 miles).

PLAP11 Cotswold Hills Waypoint 9
By the school, turn left following the Wardens Way sign, and turn left again at the next junction. Continue on through the village for approximately one mile, passing a Baptist Chapel and the Hollow Bottom pub. On leaving the village, the road continues for approximately three-quarters of a mile down a hill and round a bend. At the bottom of this hill turn right back to the starting point down the single-track lane signed Kineton.