Why the late start?

Closest to 09.00 is 08.50 unless you mean closest after (09.00 to 09.50).

Austen

because a 9.50 train is early enough to finish the walk w/o haste before darkness. it's not really a long or tough walk...

Being told just now: 6 or 7, lunch at the just reopened pub (nice) with the weather being overcast with sunny breaks and some rain in the last minutes

A select group of 6 assembled on the platform at Moreton-in-Marsh for this seasonal delight in overcast slightly misty and partly sunny conditions . It makes a nice change to do the route to/from Blockley in reverse -- giving it a different perspective....The morning route was lovely gently undulating up and over various ridgelines and passing through charming Cotswold villages...Lunch in Chipping Campden was efficient and very tasty....After lunch, we enjoyed a Christmas market on the high street with a number of stalls selling various goods before climbing to the top of Dover's Hill where we enjoyed some fine and dramatic views with some cloud and sun. On we went along the ridge, arriving at Broadway Tower in the dusk with views of Broadway twinkling below in the valley. After enjoying the darkening views, we headed down the hill guided at times by a lovely three quarter 's-moon-and-Jupiter...shining brightly in the evening sky. In Broadway, we had about an hour to wander around enjoying the festive lights, mulled wine and a local hostelry before catching the bus...Back in Moreton, we decided to grab a bite to eat at the Black Bear before catching the 19:56....A full and fine day out -- well worth the early start!

On the journey out in the morning, we had noted a bit more activity than usual at the normally rather sleepy Cotswold stations on the line....and wondered what may be taking place in the area...It was only when just 5 SWC walkers emerged onto a very crowded Moreton in Marsh platform that we realised the event was there....the Moreton in Marsh Show was taking place -- a seemingly rather popular annual horse and agricultural show....To our initial concern, the grounds for the show occupied several of the fields on our outbound route, effectively blocking the public right of way....As a small group, however, we managed to wander through the horse box parking area and some warm-up paddocks, before eventually entering the actual grounds with a junior event taking place and many stalls of "country life" paraphernalia....Fortunately, there was an exit on the far side just where we needed to pick up the footpath and we were finally off properly on the walk...We did the standard route up to Chipping Campden where 4 had lunch, one with some friends who had met him at the pub.

The picnicker did not stop at the pub and went on ahead and the luncher with friends opted to join them for the afternoon...leaving 3 of us to finish the walk in mostly warm and sunny conditions . We stopped to admire the views along the way and for a refreshment break at the pub in Blockley before setting off on the final push back to Moreton where we had just enough time to pick up some provisions before catching the 19:55....the other 2 had caught the 18:55....

You can get cheap Advance tickets to Oxford on this train. It might be worth doing that combined with a day return Oxford to Moreton-on-Marsh.

There are also buses from Chipping Camden to Moreton-in-Marsh at 16.20 and 17.35 if you fancy exploring this attractive town after lunch

Good point! In fact, you could do the loop up to Dover's Hill in the instructions which comes back to Chipping Campden...this would make for a 10 mile walk....

8 (including one first timer) emerged in atmospheric mist and fog on the platform at Moreton-in-Marsh (or more aptly yesterday -- Moreton-in-Mud) for this experimental routing...Despite the mist and fog, we were spared any serious precipitation while slipping and sliding through the pretty countryside and charming villages....Some made a brief visit to the impressive church (with medieval robes) in Chipping Campden before a tasty lunch in the Eight Bells....Leaving a bit later than planned, seven then carried on from Dover's Hill to Broadway Tower in the thickening fog....we arrived at the hulking tower in the dark...and made our way down the hill into the twinkling lights of Broadway...arriving just after 17:30...time for a brief stroll through the village before catching the 17:53 bus on which we met back-up with our 8th walker who had enjoyed a nice tea in Chipping Campden after taking-in the [views] from Dover's Hill….After gathering suitable supplies, we caught the 18:48 back to London.....A delightful day out in lovely countryside...notwithstanding the less than ideal weather conditions....

Just 5 off the train in warm to hot but late on with a breeze kind of weather.

The train was busy, but not overly so, what with the usual amount of Windsor & Eton tourists (change at Slough) supplemented by Reading Festival goers, Oxford tourists, The Big Festival goers (on James suchandsuch of Blur fame's farm) and Cotswolds tourists. We stopped at Broad Campden for lunch (3 of us), as we were hungry by then (at the Baker's Arms, a very competent pub, and with Butty Bach on tap), then moved on to Chipping Campden to decide there whether anyone was up for the long version. The new routing around Chipping C worked quite well, as it brings into play the historic ruins, the large church and also automatically leads past the best pub (we didn't stop though). 2 walked the extra loop up Dover's Hill for the views, the other 3 whiled away the waiting time for our return in the Court Barn's Arts & Crafts Exhibition, an ice cream parlour and a cafe, so that we could all walk on together. We had a refreshment stop on the return route at the Baker's Arms (told you it's a nice pub!) and got back to M-i-M just in time for the 18.48 train. Rolling hills, beautiful villages, peace and quiet, some very nice pubs, exceptionally good vistas, just 97 mins from The Smoke, what more can you ask for?

What kind of nutcases get up for an 8.20am train to do a 14 mile in the Cotswold's on a grey winter's day?. Well, seven assorted nutcases, is the short answer, and one (me) who had intended to get the train an hour later but had woken at 6am and not been able to get back to sleep. One did get the later train and met up with us mid-morning and one sister of one of the walkers joined us by car. So 10 in all.

Those of us on the 8.20 enjoyed a nice ride on the new hybrid trains, which charmingly switch from electric to diesel traction mid journey without you even noticing. (Conversation with an Onboard Train Manager on the way back revealed that this transition could be done without the train having to stop). The 9.20 was a slam door, possibly the last one that will feature on an SWC walk...

On arrival we had a long walk across hill and dale under very grey skies, but apart from a brief shower at the start it did not rain and the ground was minimally muddy. There were some dribs of autumn colour and the landscape had a wild beauty under the lowering heavens.

Still, it was nice to descend to Chipping Camden with its grand church and have a cosy lunch at the Eight Bells. During this we discussed afternoon options, and then on climbing Dover Hill with its fine north-westward views we discussed them again, and opted for the map-led ridge route to Broadway because it was shorter and because moonlight walks looked unlikely. Having never done it, I thought this was a very fine route, with a wonderful descent from the Broadway Tower down to the twinkling lights of the plain.

They say the lights are always bright in Broadway (had to get that in) and certainly it looked very pretty with all its trees bedecked with illuminations for Christmas. We got there at 4.55pm and about four different tea rooms closed in unison at 5pm, a fact which discomforted no one but me. I got a takeaway tea in my reusable mug and the others went to the Swan Inn.

We then got the 5.50 bus, forming the entirety of its clientelle, I think, and landed up in Moreton-in-Marsh at 6.15pm in time to see the Christmas market being packed away. But there was a Tesco Express to provide us with alternative sources of seasonal cheer (hummus. tortilla chips, some kind of red liquid that seemed popular) which we consumed on the train home.

Split my ticket websites currently achieving 11% discount on train fare ( or DIY Paddington/BZ6 to Slough and Slough to MinM.)

Interesting walk. How much will the train fare be, please?

Now I might do the Walk on Saturday. But I can't Guarantee I will. But is the Return Ticket to Moreton on Marsh there and back?

Hi Marc. Yes, a Moreton-in-Marsh return is needed. See you Saturday.

Hi, New to the U.K. What is 'Split my ticket' and how much will travelling to this walk by train cost, please? Thank you.

About nine months ago, I took the train to Moreton-in-Marsh to do an 18-mile walk in the Cotswolds, from Chipping Camden to Winchcombe. I booked six weeks in advance and it was incredibly cheap (something like £6.90 single with my senior rail card). Unfortunately, the cheapest fares go very quickly, and national rail is showing a return ticket at £41.30 (travelling tomorrow). Still, I would very much recommend the Cotswolds. I am going back in mid-April to complete the last 39 miles of the Cotswold Way, from Dursley to Bath.

Off-peak day return £27.25 with a Network Southeast National Railcard.

Alas: no tartanrug, no Marc R., and no one new to the UK...

But 9 walkers braved the standing-room only packed train (full with tourists going to Windsor and Oxford) and the sunny and cold weather, 7 walked the long 28 km version, the other 2 the middle, 24 km, version.

Very pleasant landscape, as usual, even if along the stretches close to Moreton it's basically field boundary after field boundary. Fantastic views though in the middle part and up to the final descent back into Moreton.

1 of the long walkers had met up with a local friend (plus hubby plus two young kids) at lunch in Chipping Campden and we all walked the Dover's Hill loop with them.

The 3 sandwichers and the 2 mid-length walkers got back on the 17.45, the other 4 needed headtorches for the last few minutes (the 2/3 moon had helped until then) and decided to have dinner in Moreton, at the commendable Black Bear. Their restaurant area was near empty as the next door bar was showing the Calcutta Cup clash, but the eerie quiet suggested that things weren't quite going to plan for Ingerland, and so it proved. 19.47 train with a bottle of bubbly for the company. Drinks in the Fuller's pub in Paddington Station. A late return home.

Please could you check if the walk description is complete? I may be missing something but it looks as if it stops at Chipping Campden. I would be reluctant to try it without the full directions.

RSVP! Thank you, Kate H

Hello Kate, I've just looked at the instructions which are a little sparse. I've been able to suss out the return journey from Chipping Campden which looks like it passes through Broad Campden and Blockey then onto MiM.

I'm intending to go on this walk with map and will take the opportunity to expand and complete this walks details.

AD

Thank you for your reply Arthur. If it's not raining as hard as it is today I'll be there. Somehow all my supposedly waterproof clothes don't keep the rain out for long.

I'll aim to get the 1022 from Paddington. Kate H

SORRY BUT THE LACK OF DIRECTIONS PUT ME OFF GOING ESPECIALLY READING THE COMMENTS FROM PREVIOUS WALKERS. ALSO THE WIND AND GLOOMY LIGHT CONDITIONS.

5 on this walk with another appearing at the end of the walk (having been thwarted by a 'signal failure' at Ealing Broadway)

The weather was overcast with a cool northerly breeze but no rain .

Arthur Dent and Stargazer were seen to murmur copious notes into their recording devices (so that those who like written instructions could enjoy this walk in the future)

We passed glorious Cotswold scenery with hawthorn in full blossom and stopped for lunch at "The Churchill" in Paxford.

The afternoon section passed through the scenic villages of Broad Campden and Blockley (with the largest collection of Bulls I've ever seen and also some stunning scenery between the two villages)

Blockey, nestling in a valley is full of yellow Cotswold stone dwellings and probably one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.

Then a climb out on the Monarchs/Heart of England Way to Park and Century plantations before a gentle descent through endless meadowland adorned with bountiful buttercups back to MiM. There, four had a drink in the Black Bear Inn before we all caught the 7:26pm back to Paddington.

Some slept on the train while others discussed English literature and sipped wine. A great day out despite the dreary weather.

Superb to have such fun on a deeply grey day. Quite a heave up hill and down Dale in the 4 hours walking between a delicious lunch at Paxford and a cup of tea back in Moreton in Marsh. Great company. Must do more walking! Kate H

Would it make more sense to start an hour earlier as it is a long journey and it seems late to start walking close to midday?

No Fi, us regulars are happy with post 10 starts midweek ! price of tickets etc,.

There is a bus from Blockley, if you wish to shorten the walk by 2 miles. I think it goes about 4:16 PM. For those without free bus travel there is the Plusbus option with the train ticket.

Hello! Will this be going ahead tomorrow? I have been thinking of heading up that way. I've followed a few of your walks but never in a group before.

Regards,

Mark

Hi Mark, yes First Great Western willing.

If you're travelling by train, you should find us in the middle of the train. Alternatively we normally do introductions on the station platform which will be Moreton-in-Marsh just before noon

Thanks Arthur, but I'm going to do one a little closer to home today after all - quite the distance to travel with a the large % of rain. Have a joyous time!

8 mostly dry with late showers

delayed outbound train, a fine walk, some slow service at the lunch pub in paxford, with small portions delivered in a very staggered fashion, the vanguard had only 15 mins of rain and time for a bevvie before boarding the (also delayed) 18.05 train.

From Ealing Broadway, take 9:05am train to Slough, arrive at 9:27am, then connect to Moreton-in-Marsh train at 9:37am (change platform from 4 to 2)

15, hot and sunny

Lovely walk but hot and exhausting. Given the distance option has to be taken before lunch, the group was dispersed to small groups (in several 3 or 4 walkers) early on. I was in the standard distance group, 6 initially stopped at Churchill Arms but the food was very expensive, so 3 decided to march on to The Bakers Arms in Broad Camden. This proved to be a wise choice, lovely pub with traditional food and excellent setting. 4 others who had picnic then joined us. This made a nice group of 7 in the afternoon. We had ice cream and cold drink in Blockley, arrived at Moreton-in-Marsh at 6:10pm, all went to Tesco to get food and drink for consumption on the train before catching 6:45pm train back to London. A few things to note: in some places, the path was almost non-existing, it was particularly bad in parts between Paxford and Blockley. The group battled through overgrown vegetation and a path blocked by a cow mother feeding her baby. With the encouragement of her sister, they refused to move from the path. Thanks to one walker who kept us calm and eventually moved cows. One suggestion for the next outing for this walk is to do the walk in reverse, have lunch at Broad Camden. This way the group could stay together in the morning and distance option only needs to be taken in the afternoon. It would be nice to hear from other walkers who did the longer version.

Saturday 27 June: there were five of us who did the longer option, which passed through lovely scenery with pleasant views. It seemed to add more than 2.8 miles to the walk, but that may have been the heat. Speaking personally I would have been quite happy to get the train from Chipping Camden if there had been one, but fortified by various sugary refreshments we finished the lovely afternoon, ending at Moreton at 8.15pm and just about managing to get our dins in the lovely Indian restaurant there in time for the 9.52pm train.

The Ebrington Arms was a nice play for lunch. It was fully booked, though mysteriously empty, inside. Perhaps many of the bookers had decamped to the garden, where tables are not reserved. The food, as seems universal in this area, was pitching itself at the smart set, but portions were not tiny (though nor were prices). For peasants such as myself they did offer bar specials, however, including a very reasonably priced burger that would have sunk the Titanic. Those who know me know I have a bit appetite but what with buns, onion rings, fries, about a centimetre or cheese and half a cow's worth of burger, this one kept me full for the rest of the day.

What was said about route finding for the main walk, I would reiterate. There are no directions for the extension and in places there was much head scratching about where the exit from the field we were in might be. Some public spirited person might write up proper directions for this popular walk.

Inicdentally, hot and sunny with fair weather cloud , or to put it another way a perfect Summer day (you have to put hyphens or dashes between all the weather words in order for them to be highlighted, Anonymous). This was a very well chosen walk for the conditions and time of year, so thanks to Stargazer for that.

PS: the main walkers made an impression on The Bakers Arms in Broad Camden. When we longer walkers put our nose round the door to see if anyone was still there, the landlady said "Are you looking for the Saturday Walkers?"

Re Walkers comment below: er.... that was probably me! After I departed from you at Chipping Camden I stopped off at the Bakers Arms for a pot of tea and as I was I think the only person there I talked to the Landlady - a keen walker along with her mother - about the club and suggested she check out the web-site. Lovely pub and I think the idea of doing the regular walk in reverse so this pub becomes the default lunch option a good one. (perhaps later in the summer?)

I got back to MiM at 6.20pm just in time to say farewell to about 6 of the group who had stocked up on supplies from a supermarket and were off to catch the 6.45pm. I stopped off in the Bell which has been nicely refurbished

and had a light tea and drink before catching the 7.45pm train.

A lovely walk on a day which was more humid and tiring than I expected (or is that just age)!