Transfer Option:

Monday - Day 1: A day of arrival and pick-up at Kemble Station near Cirencester. Accommodation will be at one of three lovely country houses situated in their own park land, bordering on Prince Charles' Highgrove estate at Tetbury. 

Tuesday - Day 2: After breakfast, you will be driven to the Coln Valley, one of the escape routes used by King Charles after his defeat at Worcester in 1651. You will take the old Salt Way from Ablington to Chalcot, and so to Coln St Denis, from where we can see the ancient Roman Fosse Way.
You will be transfixed by the deep calm and stillness of the valley, which has been used by monks and religious communities for more than 1,000 years. You visit a Norman church (880 years old), and follow the river's winding path towards Bibury, described by William Morris as England's most beautiful village. Situated in a classic English pasture, you admire the Saxon church which was built more than 1,000 years ago. The day ends with a visit to Lord Bathurst's deer park, where today's Royals play Polo. Walk: 6 miles. In the evening you are invited to a gourmet dinner at David and Jennie's home. 

Wednesday - Day 3: After breakfast, you will be driven to Stanton, the most perfect and distinguished of villages in the Cotswolds. With agricultural communities dating back to 2500 BC, an Iron Age hill fort lies just above the village (Shenberrow, 700 BC). You will walk past houses that date from Tudor times, many with thatched roofs, and you will cross a royal deer park that was owned by Cenwulf, King of Mercia in 794 AD. Note the medieval ridges and furrows that tell of its ancient agricultural heritage. You will walk to Stanway, a village of corn mills, fulling mills, paper mills and cider mills, and observe Stanway House, which has changed hands only once since the 8th century. You lunch at the ruins of Hailes Abbey, and travel on to Sudeley Castle, given by King Henry VIII to Queen Katherine Parr. She is buried in the Queen's chapel and you will spend a couple of hours discovering the delights in the ten royal gardens - the White garden, the Queens garden, the Secret Garden and many more. Walk 6 miles. In the evening, you dine at The Bell at Sapperton voted one of the 10 Best Pubs in Britain. 

Thursday - Day 4: After breakfast, you will be driven to Sapperton, where you start your walk by descending into the Golden Valley, so called because in autumn, the whole valley turns to gold as hundreds of streams reflect light through the trees. This is where King Edward III (1327 - 1377) imported weavers, dyers and fullers from Flanders to set up the wool trade - a perfect marriage between Cotswold wool, a constant supply of water with the right natural salts, and the people with skills in arts and crafts. Certainly this valley has inspired generations of artists and craftsmen. In the 19th century, devotees of William Morris set up “The Sapperton Craftsmen” with artists, designers and architects like Ernest Barnsley, Sidney Barnsley and Ernest Gimson. More recently, it has inspired Lynn Chadwick and Damian Hurst to set up workshops here.  At Chalford you meet and talk to local artists and craftsmen, and then you are driven south to Tetbury to visit Prince Charles' National Arboretum at Westonbirt, on the border of his Highgrove estate. This cathedral of trees creates an unforgettable experience, and in high summer, there is a chance to visit the world famous 'avant gardens' exhibition of futurist designs in gardens. Walk: 6 miles. In the evening, you dine at The Bear at Bisley - an old village court house which became a pub in 1766. 

Friday - Day 5: After breakfast, you will be driven to Chalford, where you discover an old Salt Way that takes you to the village of Bisley-with-Lypiatt. You visit the famous 'seven wells', the Norman church and the Victorian lock-up. Then you discover a secret valley and follow its path over streams and dingle nooks, through beech forests and over hills until - surprise! You are standing before the gates of another royal residence - Nether Lypiatt House*. This is home to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and you have special permission to make your own private view of the estate. The Princess's rose garden has nearly 1,000 roses but it's rarely on view to the public. *In the event that the Kents are in residence, a visit to another Royal Garden of equal attraction will be arranged. You return by the secret valley to catch the early evening light on Chalford. Walk: 6 miles, followed by a special dinner at Chalford. 

Saturday - Day 6: After breakfast, you spend a couple of hours visiting Cirencester, the old Roman capital of Britain. There is a famous museum, an abbey and an old marketplace with plenty to do before being driven to Kemble Train Station for the 12.17pm train to Paddington.
 

There are also three personalized packages (available at a small extra charge) for those that want to exchange 1 to 3 days’ walking for 1 to 3 days of a completely different leisure pursuit. In the Creative space package, you learn to paint Cotswold scenes in water color (easel, paints, everything provided). In the White space package, you learn about deep relaxation techniques in the Great Oak Hall of the National Arboretum. In the Town space package, you visit the famous local cities of Oxford, Bath and Gloucester with your own map, your own schedule. So if it’s raining – or if you just fancy a day visiting the shops - there’s the flexibility to suit yourself.

Bring good waterproof (gortex), walking boots with ankle support, a good quality rain jacket with hood and waterproof trousers, day backpack to carry spare shirt and packed lunch, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water flask. Shorts and sneakers are not advisable on walks, but are suitable for the “specials”.
Preparations before leaving in the morning should take into account the fact that much of the day will be spent walking through valleys and woodland paths, without access to conventional washroom facilities.
Evening: informal: no jackets or ties required.

Your Hosts and Guides:  David and Jennie Brech

Your Accommodation will either be:
Susie Brassey,  Hill Court, Shipton Moyne, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
 Or
Robin and Nicky Salmon, Lodge Farm, Chavenage, Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Monday:  
Accommodation will be ready after 5pm: To be able to cater to different tastes, the first evening meal will consist of a light collation of cold meats, salads, fruit and cheese.  It will be available to you at any time during the evening if you wish to rest first or adjust to the time difference, you will be able to eat later.
Breakfast will be served at 8 am, and transport will leave at 8.45am.
Returning from the walk at 5 pm, you will have time to shower and freshen up before dinner at 7.30pm for 8 pm.

On Tuesday and Friday, you will be taken as guests to your host’s house in Chalford Hill. The return to the country house is at 10pm.

Saturday Departure:
You will be taken for the morning to Cirencester, and your luggage will be kept safe before your departure at 11:30am - to arrive in good time for your 12:17 train from Kemble - arriving Reading at 13.05 hours, and Paddington at 13.35 hours.
Taxis can be arranged to/from Heathrow typically at a cost of £120.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
(a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to six months.
Visa Note
(a) Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements