recommended routeStanton to Winchcombe
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/ View along main road StantonPhoto: Macs Adventure -
/ Leaving StantonPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Ancient ridge and furrow field stripsPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Acorn route marker postPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Thatched cricket pavillion StanwayPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Stanway HousePhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Stanway ChurchPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Ridge and furrow field system, Wood StanwayPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Stumps CrossPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Ramparts of Beckbury Hill FortPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ The path from Hailes AbbeyPhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Approach to WinchcombePhoto: Macs Adventure
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/ Main street WinchcombePhoto: Macs Adventure
Author’s recommendation
Rest stops
Hayles Fruit FarmStanway House
Safety information
The only sections of the walk today, where you might encounter traffic, are leaving Stanton and entering Winchcombe. Care should also be taken crossing the main road at Stanway. There are a few climbs and descents which are not particularly steep but which might be tricky during or after wet weather.
The Cotswold Way is well marked so navigation should be easy. Look out for the acorn signs which are the National Trail markers.
Tips and hints
Points of Interest
Stanway House
Stanway House is a Jacobean manor which has only changed hands once in almost 1300 years. As well as the Manor House, there is a Medieval Tithe Barn, the 12th-century church of St.Peter and the three-storied gabled gatehouse.
For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanway_House
Beckbury Camp
Beckbury Camp is the site of an Iron Age hill fort covering some 4 acres. It originally consisted of a single ditch and rampart, but the ditch has since been filled in.
For more information: http://walks.walkingworld.com/walk/Stanway---Beckbury-Monument---Stanway.
Hailes Abbey
The Abbey was built in 1251 by Henry III as a thanksgiving for having survived a near shipwreck. It was a community of Cistercian monks and became a place of pilgrimage for nearly 300 years. During the dissolution of the monasteries, the Abbey was closed and later dismantled.
For more information: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hailes-abbey/
Food and Drink
Stanton is a small hamlet with just one pub and no facilities. The only opportunities for refreshments on the walk are at the Fruit Farm near Hailes Abbey or on arrival in Winchcombe itself. Be sure to carry enough fluids for this short walk.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
*** To help you follow the route with confidence we have provided full written turn by turns to aid you on your walk from Stanton to Winchcombe. Whilst, the Cotswolds are waymarked it can be featureless and off the beaten path at some sections so we strongly suggest that you follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day. The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***
0.00 km – Standing with your back to the war memorial plaque and the Cotswold Way signpost GO STRAIGHT ON along the main street towards Stanway. Go past the thatched cottage and the small village green then BEAR LEFT onto the signposted Bridleway.
0.20 km – Just before a wooden gate TURN RIGHT onto the footpath signposted to Stanway and GO STRAIGHT ON over a series of ridges and furrows( an ancient field cultivation system), to a wooden gate and bridge. GO STRAIGHT ON along the footpath for approx 0.5 km.
0.75 km – Arriving at a wooden gate, BEAR RIGHT across the field and GO STRAIGHT ON across several fields, for approx 1 km. Follow the prominent marker posts to reach a tarmac road.
1.90 km – At the tarmac road TURN LEFT (noting the thatched cricket pavilion opposite), and GO STRAIGHT ON passing the Medieval Tithe Barn, partly obscured on the left and Stanway Church.
2.30 km – Just past the church TURN LEFT by the old yew tree and follow the signposted path to Wood Stanway and the main road.
2.60 km – At the main road TURN LEFT then in 50 m TURN RIGHT, crossing the road with care, and GO STRAIGHT ON along the footpath signposted to Wood Stanway. (Again, noting the Ridge & Furrow field system on the left).
3.50 km – At the small tarmac road TURN LEFT past the buildings and GO STRAIGHT ON gradually uphill. BEAR RIGHT at the signposted track past the farm.
3.90 km – At a wooden stile BEAR RIGHT onto the path as it emerges onto an open hill slope and ascends gradually towards a wooded ridge. Extensive views of the surrounding countryside can now be seen.
4.40 km – At a wooden gate in a wall TURN RIGHT and GO STRAIGHT ON up the wooden steps, following the wooden marker posts uphill to the ridge. Go past the welcome seat to arrive at the main road at Stumps Cross.
5.20 km – At the tarmac road TURN RIGHT by the stump of the old cross onto the waymarked track to Winchcombe and GO STRAIGHT ON for approx 1km.
6.10 km – At a track junction by a waymarker and No Tipping sign, TURN RIGHT into the open field. Follow the stone wall on your right around the edge of the field with panoramic views over the Vale of Evesham. (Note the ramparts of the Iron Age Hill Fort on your left as you pass through).
6.80 km- At the corner of the field TURN RIGHT through a wooden gate by a stone monument and descend down the slope. GO STRAIGHT ON diagonally across the open fields.
7.50 km – At the foot of the slope TURN RIGHT through a wooden gate onto the footpath signposted to Hailes Abbey and Winchcombe. GO STRAIGHT ON along the shaded path for approx 1km.
8.40 km – Arriving at a tarmac road TURN RIGHT along the road towards Hailes Abbey. However, should you require refreshments there is a café at the fruit farm to the left.
8.80 km – Just past the entrance to the Abbey and opposite the church, TURN LEFT through a wooden gate. GO STRAIGHT ON along the path signposted to Winchcombe passing some houses to a tarmac road
9.10 km – At the tarmac road TURN RIGHT, and then in 100 m TURN LEFT onto a waymarked track. GO STRAIGHT ON for approx 0.5 km.
9.60 km – At a wooden marker post TURN RIGHT off the track and onto a grassy footpath. GO STRAIGHT ON across the fields for approx 1km following the wooden marker posts towards Winchcombe.
10.7 km – At a wooden gate and footbridge, GO STRAIGHT ON, along a muddy track to the end.
11.5 km – At the end of Puck Pit Pane TURN LEFT along the main road towards Winchcombe. GO STRAIGHT ON along the main street and past the museum.
12.4 km – Arriving at the War Memorial you have reached the end of your walk.
*** This is the end of our Stanton to Winchcombe route. If you are walking to Cleeve Hill today, then please move onto the Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill route***
Note
Coordinates
Equipment
Good comfortable boots or walking shoes are recommended. The ground can be quite soft and the paths are well used by walkers and riders. Whilst the terrain is not particularly difficult it can be muddy with some waterlogged stretches after heavy rain. Walking poles are an option if preferred. The British weather is changeable so waterproofs should also be carried just in case.
Ensure your phone is fully charged; if you doubt the battery will last throughout the hike, it might be beneficial to bring a power bank.
This walk is isolated with few opportunities to buy food or water so be sure to bring enough with you.
Questions and answers
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