Moreton-in-Marsh Circular walk

Chipping Campden route: 15.6 miles or 25.1km (shorter and longer options available (see below))

Longborough route: 12.5 miles or 20.1km

OS Landranger 151; Explorer 45

For both main routes, 5 out of 10; For longer Chipping Campden route, 6 out of 10; For shorter Chipping Campden route, 4 out of 10

This is a set of twin walks in the Cotswold based on the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. Both walks provide a fine introduction to the gentle rolling landscape of the Cotswold and pass through some charming honey colored villages for which the area is famous.

The via Chipping Campden route is a peaceful anti-clockwise circular walk heading north from Moreton through the gentle foot hills of the Cotswolds visiting a number of pretty honey colored villages, including Paxford, Broad Campden, Chipping Campden and Blockley. The morning route passes through some gently rolling fields before commencing a steady climb up a hill with lovely views then descending down to Broad Campden and Chipping Campden, a former wool trading center and pearl of the Cotswold. The afternoon stretch again gently climbs up and follows the top edge of a picturesque valley for a spell before passing through a dramatic dip on the approach to Blockley. Chipping Campden has a variety of options for lunch.

The via Longborough route is a peaceful clockwise circuit that heads west from Moreton, passing through Longborough, the home of a country opera house specialising in Wagner, and retuns along a ridge with fine views.

Both walks share the same final stretch from Blockley to Moreton-in-Marsh.

Historically, these were both map-based walks. However, both options have now been written up with detailed instructions.

Chipping Campden route:

This route can be extended by 2.3 miles (or 3.7 km) with an extension via Dover's Hill. This makes a walk of 17.9 miles/28.8 km.

This route can be shorten by 3.0 miles (or 5.0 km) at Broad Campden with a by-pass of Chipping Campden. This makes a walk of 12.4 miles/20.0 km.

Longborough route:

A longer option via Longborough which continues to the fine Cotswold escarpment can be found with SWC Walk 288 (Moreton-in-Marsh Grand Circular via the Escarpment).

Both routes:

Both routes can be shortened by about 3 miles/5km by catching a bus (number 1 or 2 operated by Johnson's Excelbus) at the village green or outside the pub in Blockley back to Moreton-in-Marsh. The bus service is limited and the last bus stops in Blockley around 18:00 Monday-Saturday. There are no buses on Sunday. As the bus times and numbers change regularly, check the latest details before you travel.

Trains run roughly hourly from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh, journey time 1 hour 38 minutes.

Suggested Train:

• For the Chipping Campden route, take the train nearest to 9.00am from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh if planning to eat in Chipping Campden or if planning on doing the extension; if doing the short version, take the train nearest to 10.00 am.
• For the Longborough route, take the train nearest to 10.00am from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh.

Chipping Campden route

• Main and long walk -- The Eight Bells, Chipping Campden T:01386 840 371. Good quality traditional pub with innovative food. Located 8.0 miles/13.0km from the start of the walk. Various other options are available in Chipping Campden.
• Short walk -- Early lunch option -- The Churchill Arms, Paxford GL55 6XH T:01386 594000. Nouvelle Cuisine. Located 4.1 miles/6.7km from the start of the walk.
• Short walk -- Later lunch option -- The Bakers Arms, Broad Campden GL55 6UR. T:01386 840515. More traditional food. Located 6 miles/10.1km from the start of the walk.

Longborough route

• The Coach and Horses Inn, Longborough, GL56 0QU. T:01451 830325. Located 2.9 miles/4.8km from the start of the walk.

In Blockley

• The Blockley Village Shop and Cafe, on the green next to the church, GL56 9DT. T: 01386 701411. Open until 16:00.
• The Great Western Arms, Station Road,Blockley, GL56 9DT. T: 01386 700362

Many tea / dinner options in Moreton-in-Marsh. See walk notes for some suggestions.

After the walk, we would love to get your feedback

You can upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

Start GL56 0AA Map Directions

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Aug-19 DAC KarenG