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.