FREE Cotswolds Walk: Hidcote Manor & Ebrington (5 miles)

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Below is a free chapter from Cotswolds Year Round Walks. This walk (a 5-mile route around Hidcote Manor & Ebrington) is one of 20 circular routes in the book, covering the county's prettiest countryside and finest pubs.

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HIDCOTE MANOR & EBRINGTON (5 MILES)

The initial track up from the starting point with sweeping views back across to Chipping Campden provides a taste of what is to come. Further on, just beyond Ebrington Hill Farm, there is a wide panorama that takes in Brailes Hill and then Chipping Campden again (this time from a different vantage point). The bare trees silhouetted against the winter sky are a striking feature of the landscape, and this is an exhilarating stretch before the downhill drop to Ebrington. The village has a 13th-century church and 17th-century pub. An archaeological dig in the early 1900s uncovered the remains of a Roman villa. Ridge and furrow (medieval plough workings) are clearly visible in fields in stage 3. Buildings in Ebrington and Hidcote use the local stone with the rich golden colour typical of the north Cotswolds. The warm hue brings a welcome glow to a dull winter’s day. This is an invigorating winter walk with spectacular scenery.

STARTING POINT & PARKING: Hidcote National Trust car park. Sat Nav: GL55 6LP.
MAP: OS Explorer 205 Stratford-upon-Avon & Evesham. Grid Ref: SP 177430. What3Words: salaried.boating.statement
TERRAIN: Field edges, paths and tracks. Some quiet lanes. Moderate gradients.
FOOD & DRINK: The Ebrington Arms, May Lane, Ebrington, Chipping Campden, GL55 6NH. S 01386 593223. This award-winning inn, situated in an attractive village and surrounded by glorious countryside, is popular with locals and visitors alike.

THE WALK

1. At the entrance to the National Trust car park, head east up a rough track by a fingerpost, designated ‘Restricted Byway’. Follow this track past some radio masts and buildings, cross over a metalled road and follow the footpath downhill to a road. Turn right onto the road and walk for about 200 metres in a south-westerly direction up a slight rise to a gate on the left.

2. Turn left onto a bridleway for approximately 100 metres, when the bridleway veers to the left continue straight on along an indicated footpath in a south-westerly direction across a field. It is sometimes difficult to see exactly where this path runs but aim for a gap in the closest hedge. Follow this path downhill veering slightly right up some steps as it avoids Ebrington Hill Farm. Keep going downhill into Ebrington and turn right onto the road.

3. After about 75 metres take the footpath on the right up along the right-hand edge of a field and then diagonally up to the left in another field towards a road. Cross over the road and follow the footpath through several more fields before emerging onto a road. Turn right and at the Tjunction take the left-hand fork towards Hidcote Boyce which will be reached after about 250 metres.

Turn right (eastwards) past Crabtree Cottage and then up to a footpath fingerpost past a sign for Top Farm. At a stile into a field veer away from the hedge to the right and take the northerly path back towards Hidcote Bartrim and the National Trust car park at Hidcote.