OVERVIEW: Our prehistoric ancestors used ridgeway routes to get around the Cotswolds and you can do the same on this exhilarating walk between Blockley and Broadway. There are some marvellous views along the way, especially as you head along the edge of Welshman’s Hedge Wood towards the village of Snowshill, which sits below Shenberrow Hill at the head of a lovely valley south of Broadway. The view from Broadway Hill is even better, with 12 counties visible on a clear day.

DETAILS:
Region : Heart of England.
Area : Gloucestershire.
Length : 18.5km/11½ miles.
Time : 5 hours.
Difficulty : Hard.

Is this walk for you?
Terrain : Field paths, some woodland, moderately hilly.
Stiles : 7. Suitable for children and dogs.

PLANNING:
Parking : Village green, Blockley, grid ref SP164350.
Start grid ref : SP164351.

Nearest town : Broadway.
Refreshments : Blockley, Snowshill and Broadway.
Public toilets : Next to village green, Blockley. Car park behind High Street, Broadway.
Public transport : Broadway and Blockley are linked by Johnson’s 21/22 (Stratford to Moreton), Mon to Sat.

MAPS:
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL45.

THE WALK:
Section 1: Walk along the top edge of the green to the Post Office. Go roughly straight along Bell Lane, ignore all turnings. At the end of the lane, continue on a bridleway through Dovedale and Bourton Woods. After 1.2km, take footpath at a deer-gate, R. Walk along a field edge, turn R at fence corner, then L on a crossfield track. Turn L again at Warren Farm, then keep straight across fields to the A44.

Section 2: Cross the road to another footpath. Walk along field edge then descend a valley. Pass through two gates then keep to the wall, L. After passing through another gate, follow the R-hand fence until it turns a corner. Continue forward instead, crossing a brook and following a track to a lane. Cross to a bridleway and follow the R-hand fence uphill. Go through a gate, climb higher and proceed to the far R corner of narrow field. Continue along top edge of another field to a gate.

Section 3: Turn R and keep straight on at two junctions. Eventually, the bridleway descends through woodland to meet another. Turn R to a lane. Turn L along the lane until you join a byway (signed ‘public path’), R. Pass a farm and proceed to a junction. Cross another byway and go diagonally L across grassland. Enter a beautiful and unusual pasture (a Site of Special Scientific Interest). Described as park-like except that the trees are small hawthorns rather than statuesque oaks, limes or chestnuts. Follow the L-hand wall through pastures and continue in the same direction after crossing a road.

Section 4: Turn L through Welshman’s Hedge Wood, then turn R along edge of wood. Turn R when you meet a road, then go first L. Turn R at the next junction, into Snowshill. Turn R by the churchyard and walk uphill. Go straight on at crossroads. Join a footpath, L, at a bend in the lane, just after a stable. The path follows a wall until a bridleway in a field corner. Turn R and walk uphill through a young wood then across fields to a road. Turn L, and L again at two more junctions.

Section 5: Enter Broadway Tower Country Park and join a footpath to tower. Note there is an entrance fee for the country park, but it applies only if you leave the right of way. You will have to pay if you want to climb the tower. Go through a deer gate near the tower and turn sharp L on the Cotswold Way. Follow it to Broadway High Street.