This is a wonderful walk including views of this area of outstanding natural beauty, opportunities for seeing the local wildlife and finally rewarded with a visit to the sublime 16th Century town of Chipping Campden. You can easily make a day of this trip as there is lots to do both on the walk itself and once you get to Chipping Campden. For more information visit: chippingcampdenonline.org/
The walk takes about 90 minutes (each way) and is suitable for walkers of moderate fitness and dogs (provided they are kept on leads where there is livestock).
You start your journey by leaving the the cottage turning right and by joining the footpath on the left as you leave the village. Climb over the first style and then take the one on the right to take you into a large field. Keeping the road to the right of you, pass the ancient Oak tree and drop down into the dip. At the bottom you will see a disused railway bridge and a reservoir build by the Churchill family to provide electricity to the village at the turn of the last century. The reservoir was used as a local swimming pool by residents until the 1970's.
Continue up the other side of the dip and follow the Diamond Way/Heart of England Way markers into a wooded area running parallel to the road. You have now completed the most strenuous part of the walk!
Follow the path onto a track with arable fields to the left and right. Keep a look out for pheasants and hares. Continue along the track passing the quarry on your left. Keeping the stone wall to your left continue down a hill towards a small farm Follow the path to the right of the farm passing a small pond and up into another arable farm land. Keep going towards Broad Campden. There are excellent views here and opportuntiies for seeing local birdlife including partridges, larks and other local wildlife.
You will now start descending into Broad Campden and can stop at the delightful Bakers' Arms for a snack or perhaps something more substantial before concluding your journey into Chipping Campden. Turn right by the pub and then cross the road towards the church. Take the pathway beside the charming row of cottages towards the Quaker meeting hall and continue down through a snicket/alleyway until you find the lovely old cottage and the pathway leading straight ahead into another arable field.
At a footpath T junction turn right towards Chipping Campden. Once you see the town you choose to take the left hand path into the town itself or take the right hand fork with the large arch and banqueting hall ruins to your left. this will bring you into the town near the impressive St James' church.
There is an excellent museum and several art galleries to enjoy in Chipping Campden as well as opportunities to consider the impact of the centuries on his hugely popular town. Chipping Campden was a Royalist stronghold during the civil war and suffered greatly at the hands of Cromwell's armies after their defeat. There are also some fantastic pubs, restaurants, local tea rooms and even a spa to enjoy in Chipping Campden so you should plan to spend least a couple of hours to enjoy all the delights that the town has to offer.
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