This is a well-known part of the Windrush valley with crowds flocking every year to admire the attractions of the village frequently described as 'The Venice of the Cotswolds'. The river flows wide and shallow through the centre, crossed by 18th century low stone bridges, most of which are only wide enough for footpaths. There are several features of interest in the village but the walk mainly explores the river and valley to the south. The route passes some flooded gravel pits that have become the home for a variety of waterfowl, then ascends the western side of the valley to the small village of Clapton-on-the-Hill, whose church is one of the smallest in the Cotswolds. From here there is a chance to look down into the valley before the gentle descent back into Bourton.
Directions:
a Use the car park beside the main road to the south east of the village. Turn right out of the car park and continue for about Â¼ mile (400m) as far as Hilcote Drive on the right.
b Turn right, then first left, and after 40yds (36m) turn right down a public footpath between two houses. Cross the stile at the end and continue ahead through two gates to the footbridge across the river.
c Cross the river and turn left along the edge of a field to a gate. Go through this and the gate ahead to follow the path through the trees. Turn right through a gate into the field and turn left to a gate in front of a barn.
d Turn left over the footbridge, then turn right to the end of the second, smaller lake.
e Turn right, cross the footbridge and stile. Then turn right, following the fence and crossing a stile to reach a gate onto a track.
f Continue straight on through a gate in a gap in the hedge. Walk ahead to the next gate on the left. Go through, turn right and continue to the gate at the edge of the plantation.
g Bear left across the field to the gate ahead and then head slightly left across the next field to the far gate. Cross the footbridge. Continue up the right hand edge of the field to a well-defined crossing track. (Turn left if you wish to visit Clapton-on-the-Hill.)
h Turn right and follow the track to a large field. Bear right across the field following the waymark.
i Continue straight ahead over several fields and waymarked stiles, eventually passing through a plantation to a footbridge on the left.
j Cross over and turn half-right. Cross the next footbridge continuing ahead and over a stile to a track. Continue ahead to a gate and the road. Turn right back into the village.
Places of Interest:
1 Bourton's obvious tourist attractions conceal its importance as an archaeological site, for it has had exceptional historic continuity as a settlement. There is evidence of human habitation since Neolithic times, a period of some 5000 to 6000 years. Just to the east lies Salmonsbury Camp, an Iron Age hillfort that was occupied until Roman times. The Romans crossed the River Windrush here via the Fosse Way, the bridge, of course, having long since decayed.
There are several places of interest in Bourton that the walker may wish to visit before or after the walk. Here are a few:
â¢ Birdland Park and Gardens is home to over 500 birds including parrots, flamingos, falcons, ibis, pelicans and the only King Penguins in England. The gardens cover 7 acres (2.8ha) of landscaped parks and lakes.
â¢ The Model Village is a replica of Bourton at the time it opened in 1937 at 1/9 th scale, complete with authentic stone walled and tiled houses, churches and a miniature River Windrush. It took four years to construct, and follows the detail of the village faithfully, including a model of the model.
â¢ Bourton Model Railway exhibition covers about 500 square feet (46 sq m) with over 40 British and continental trains travelling through various miniature scenes.
â¢ The Cotswold Motoring Museum opened in 1978 with a 1920s theme but has since expanded to include motoring in the 1960s and 1970s. Among the vintage cars, motorcycles and bicycles are thousands of items of memorabilia, and a collection of over 800 period advertising signs.
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Mike Clinch on scottexservices.com