Cotswolds Villages, Trails & Stratford-upon-Avon – 7 Days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Distance is not a major consideration in your training program. However, you should still incorporate some long walks as it will increase your cardiovascular fitness.

ELEVATION - BELOW AVERAGE

Elevation is not a major consideration in your overall training program. However, you should still incorporate some form of resistance training to increase your endurance.

FLAT TERRAIN

Whilst training for walking on flat and hard terrain, you should focus on building endurance and ensuring you can maintain a comfortable pace.

Start with regular walks on sidewalks, roads, or paved paths to get used to the surface. Maintain a proper posture and engage your core muscles to support your back, keeping a steady gait. Ensure that you have comfortable, supportive footwear with adequate cushioning. If endurance is important, consider incorporating low-impact cross-training activities like swimming or cycling into your routine.

The Walking

Typically, days are generally easy-going underfoot and you should be used to covering up to 20km per day with up to 600m of ascent and descent. Trails are usually well defined and cover a variety of terrain. You will be walking on forest tracks, woodland trails, bridleways, across rolling farmland and through wild meadows. You will also walk through many villages, towns and along short sections of very quiet country lanes that often do not have footpaths so do be mindful of other road users. A moderate active lifestyle makes walking enjoyable, an exercise regime of 2 to 3 times a week is needed.

Although the route is well waymarked, for each of your walks, you will be provided with routes notes, a map and the GPX tracks if you require to use them for your own device.

This walk is available from late April through to early October

Up to the end of May, you may encounter a few showers (it is England after all) and the fields are vibrant with crops of yellow rapeseed in bloom. Meadows and village gardens are blooming with life. From June through to August (summer months), the daylight is longer making it the perfect time for enjoying hillside picnics and sampling local beer in the pub gardens into the evening. During September, the fields are busy with harvest preparations and often summer days can stretch into September. Whatever time of year you choose, you should always be prepared for a change of season during the day!

How to get there and away

TRAVELLING TO THE START OF THE WALK

Travel to Moreton in Marsh, England. When do I need to arrive on day 1?

This walk starts in Moreton in Marsh and ends in Stratford upon Avon. You can arrive at your accommodation at any time on day 1. Should you arrive before the check-in time of 3pm your luggage can be stored at the accommodation. If you cannot arrive at your accommodation until after 9pm, please let us know so we can ensure there is somebody available to check you in and so we can make arrangements for your included dinner. Please refer to your accommodation list for directions and information about your first night’s stay in Moreton in Marsh.

How to get to Moreton in Marsh, England, the start of your walk

By Air Travel: Moreton in Marsh does not have an airport but has excellent train links to London Paddington. At London Paddington, you can easily connect to London Heathrow and Gatwick.

From London Heathrow to London Paddington: The Heathrow Express service is by far the easiest. Trains run every 15mins and with a journey time of 15mins from London Heathrow to Paddington, this is the quickest transfer time. It is a good idea to pre-book tickets (purchases on the day are more expensive). Tickets can be booked at https://www.heathrowexpress.com/news/ and are from £15 one way. From Heathrow arrivals, follow the signs for ‘Heathrow Express’. As there are 4 services an hour, you do not have to rush.

Alternatively, a cheaper but longer journey would be to use the London Underground to Paddington. From the arrival hall, follow signs for the London Underground and take the Piccadilly Line, changing at Earls Court for Paddington (around 1-hour journey time and around £8).

From London Gatwick to London Paddington: At London Gatwick train station, take the Gatwick Express to London Victoria station (30mins travel time) and change for a tube on the District Line to London Paddington (20mins). Ticket prices will vary and again, do book in advance for the cheapest tickets.

London Paddington to Moreton in Marsh: A straightforward, direct train departs London Paddington and arrives in Moreton Marsh 1hr 30mins later. Tickets are best purchased in advance from The Trainline website.

If you are travelling from Birmingham Airport or from one of the main train stations, you will need to catch a service from Birmingham New Street to Worcester Shrub Hill. Here you change for a service direct to Moreton in Marsh (total journey time around 2hrs, £35).

Onward Travel from Stratford upon Avon

ONWARD TRAVEL

Onward Travel from Stratford upon Avon, England

Stratford upon Avon does not have an airport but from its train station (Stratford train station) has regular services throughout the day to London Marylebone (around 2hr 20mins). Some services require a change at Leamington Spa.

If you are travelling onto Birmingham Airport you will need to change stations. Hourly services from Stratford upon Avon arrive on Birmingham Moor Street. You will then walk (10mins) to Birmingham New Street for train services to the airport, alighting at Birmingham International.

If you are heading north (or to the south-west of England) after this tour, you would usually have to travel via Birmingham train station.

If you are staying in Stratford before this tour, we can book you a private transfer (20mins) or you can catch a bus to Moreton in Marsh, which takes around 90mins. For further information, please contact the office.

For all train travel in the UK, prices, timetables and ticket reservations can be made through The Trainline. For travel on the London Transport network, please access https://tfl.gov.uk

A useful planning tool for travel is Rome2Rio should you be travelling from, or to other destinations in the UK or Europe.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Never board a train in the UK without a ticket. Although some rural train services permit onboard ticket purchases the majority of train services do not allow this and will either fine you (up to £200) and/or ask you to leave at the next stop.

Train travel in the UK can be very expensive. Booking trains in advance is always the most cost-effective. Often travelling off-peak (after 9:30am and not between the hours of 3:30pm -6:30pm) can significantly reduce ticket prices.

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