Footnotes

Walking the Cotswold Ring

THE TRIP

The author travelled with self-guided walking and cycling holiday specialists Headwater (headwater.com 01606 369410) on a sevennight Walking The Cotswold Ring self-guided walking tour. The trip costs from £979 per person, including stays in characterful Cotswold accommodation, daily breakfast, all luggage transfers between hotels and route directions and maps.

What to take

Focus on packing well before you go – and light where you can. Bags are collected on or around 9am every day (one bag at 20kgs is included, but additional bags are £6 per bag, per day), so it pays to use packing cubes or a series of bags for different items so the daily ‘stuffing everything back into the bag’ exercise doesn’t feel like a chore.

Spare shoes are essential, in addition to your main (comfy) hiking boots, as are water bottles and snacks (some days don’t offer up food stops). Waterproof trousers are a lifesaver if the weather looks changeable.

Layers help (any time of year can offer up different seasons in a matter of hours) and a waterproof map cover is useful when you are trying to consult the route instructions and keep them in good condition for the whole week.

Reading & Resources

Ordinance Survey maps and detailed route notes are provided on arrival (and are very easy to follow), but if you are keen to find out more about the area,

The Cotswolds: A Cultural History by Jane Bingham is a colourful and lively exploration of the area.

A royal rest Sudeley Castle (top) is the final resting place of Catherine Parr, who managed to outlive Henry VII; (bottom)the manicured gardens of Hidcote Manor