Sustainable Exploring

Bourton-on-the-Water Circular Walk 2

Click the map to view in more details, printed copies are available at the Bourton-on-the-Water Information Centre.

Bus & Train Options

The following are suggested car free days around the area using local buses and trains instead. The timings given are those that give the best options for a great day out. Options are based on Monday - Saturday travel. Please check all timetables before travelling.

Option 1: Moreton-in-Marsh & Stow-on-the-Wold

Moreton-in-Marsh located on the northern edge of the Cotswolds has a long and wide High Street as it was originally planned as a market town in the 13th century. There are many fine buildings, including its rare Curfew Tower with original clock and bell, and the Redesdale Hall, dating from 1887 as the town’s main public hall.

Every Tuesday, Moreton has the largest open-air general street market in the Cotswolds, with a charter granted by Charles I. From the town centre it is approximately a mile walk to Bourton House Garden at Bourton-on-the-Hill, Sezincote House, Batsford Arboretum and the Cotswold Falconry - check all for opening days/times before travelling.

Stow-on-the-Wold at nearly 800ft, is the highest of the Cotswold towns, located on the Roman Fosse Way at the point where several roads meet, hence an important trading centre. It has a long history and probably dates from a prehistoric fortified settlement on top of the hill.

The stocks on the green, although replaced, have existed since the 15th century. Many of the 17th and 18th century attractive buildings, built of the local honey coloured stone, are pubs and coaching inns and surround the large and still impressive Market Square. Some of the largest sheep fairs in the Cotswolds with up to 20,000 sheep were herded into the square for sale and the medieval Market Cross is a reminder of those times.

It was close by in Donnington that the last battle of the Civil War was fought in March 1646.  St Edward’s church in the town centre was used as a prison for the defeated Royalist troops and its north door is picturesquely framed by a pair of tree trunks. There is a relatively frequent bus service to Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton in Marsh from Bourton-on-the-Water.

Option 2: Cheltenham

Cheltenham as you would expect from the UK’s most complete Regency town is brimming with history. As you stroll along the promenade, it’s easy to see why it became the hip 18th century hang out for holidaying Brits, after the enterprising Henry Skillicorne unearthed its health-giving spa waters.

The Pitville Pump Room is a monument to more than 100 years of fame that Cheltenham enjoyed as a spa town. You are also able to explore life in Cheltenham’s only Victorian home open to all - the unique period birthplace of composer Gustav Holst.

Cheltenham plays host to 25+ significant festivals a year, several of which are world leading. There’s the world’s longest-running literary festival, The Cheltenham Literature Festival, the Cheltenham Music Festival  the Jazz and Science Festivals. And of course, not forgetting The Cheltenham Festival & Gold Cup, the most prestigious jump racing event of the year, with the grand finale, the legendary Gold Cup.

Cheltenham offers traditional shopping streets, combining the High Street brands with fantastic independent retailers. A few years ago, much of the High Street was revamped and the pedestrianised areas extended. The project connected The Brewery Quarter fully to the High Street, resulting in a modern and vibrant shopping district not seen before in the town. The Regent Arcade Shopping Centre is Cheltenham’s only under cover shopping destination.

Located in the heart of Cheltenham and conveniently positioned to link the High Street with The Promenade. The Arcade is also home to Kit William’s iconic Wishing Fish Clock the world’s largest mechanical clock and has enchanted generations of children by blowing bubbles and playing its familiar signature tune on the hour and half hour. Cheltenham’s theatres and cinemas provide a packed calendar of performances all year. Perhaps enjoy a meal and matinee performance before taking the bus to return to Bourton-on-the-Water.

There’s always something to explore at The Wilson, Cheltenham’s Art Gallery and Museum. This award-winning gallery and museum offers permanent museum collections including fine art, archaeology, local history and the outstanding Arts and Crafts Movement collection, to temporary displays, touring art exhibitions and a full events programme check Cheltenham Museum to make sure you don’t miss anything!

Option 3: Bibury & Cirencester

Bibury is a charming, typical Cotswold, village a short distance from Cirencester. William Morris (1834-96) described Bibury as "the most beautiful village in England".

Attractions and things to see in Bibury include Arlington Row - a row of 14th century weaver’s cottages built of local stone next to the River Coln, the Bibury Trout Farm and the Saxon Church.

Cirencester is a lovely market town with ancient origins and fascinating history. In Roman times, Cirencester known as Corinium Dobunnorum was the second largest town only to London and is often referred to as 'The Capital of the Cotswolds'.

During the 6th century fortunes changed, the Saxons destroyed the town and it was renamed ‘Coryn Ceasre’. It became a very prosperous wool town in the medieval period, which is the basis for the charming town with ancient honey coloured stone buildings in picturesque narrow streets that you can visit today. The church of St John the Baptist dominates the market place in ‘woolgothic’ style and is one of the finest wool churches in the Cotswolds.

The award winning Corinium Museum allows you to discover the archaeology of the Cotswolds and is home to one of the largest collections of Romano-British antiquities extensively from Roman Britain's second largest city. Experience life as a Roman and marvel at the stunning mosaics. The Visitor Information Centre is located in the museum shop.

Cirencester is also an important centre for crafts. Home to a contemporary art gallery, a craft shop, on-site maker studios, and a lovely café, New Brewery Arts is based in a converted brewery and offers visitors a unique arts and crafts shopping experience. The beautifully renovated Cirencester Market Place is home to the Charter Market every Monday and Friday, one of the oldest in the country.

There is also a Farmers’ Market on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, Arts and Craft Markets and in The Corn Hall a Home, Fashion & Garden Bazaar from Monday to Thursday, an Antiques and Collectables Market on Fridays, and a Craft Market on Saturday.

There are also many green open spaces including the Abbey Grounds and the extensive 18th century parkland landscape of Cirencester Park which has been in the Bathurst family ownership for over three centuries.