bwfblack British Walking Federation

MICKLETON WALK ORGANISED BY THE BWF NATIONAL COMMITTEE

CONTACT: Roger Baker, 12 Burwood Grove, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 9DS
Tel: 02392 462005 E-mail: trails@bwf-ivv.org.uk

DISTANCE: 12km
ENTRY FEE: £1.00 per walker (Cheques payable to BWF)
AWARD: Cloth Badge at £2.00 each
DIRECTIONS FROM NEAREST TOWN: Evesham - Leave Evesham eastwards on the A44 and in approx. 8 miles turn left on B4081 to Chipping Campden and continue through the village and head for Aston Subedge and Mickleton. At Mickleton follow brown tourist signs to Hidecote Manor Gardens
START VENUE: Hidecote Manor Gardens, Chipping Campden, Map 151 GR SP177430
COACH & CAR PARKING: In National Trust free car park at start. The car park is open all year, gardens, refreshments and toilets open from March-December.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Public transport is sparse, for details contact 01345 125436 or 01345 425543
MAP:Click map to enlarge

ROUTE DESCRIPTION (updated 18^th October 2009)

From the car park, and opposite the entrance to the car park, walk ahead eastwards through metal gate onto farm track with Restricted Bridleway sign on left and continue up hill on wide track through a further gate heading towards telephone transmitter aerials. At fork in bridleway take the right fork and continue keeping the masts on your left whilst admiring the view on your right, follow bridleway round to the left to pass three telephone masts left. Go straight over lane and continue on the left hand side of the field between hedges following overhead power line. Continue on left hand side of field towards two radio masts. At end of field bear to the left and drop down through small culvert passing through gate and continue down through field keeping left of a very large Oak tree. Go through hunting gate and diagonally cross lane and continue up hill on track with two masts on right.

Q1- What is the name on the 2^nd mast?

Continue ahead and after appx 1km after short descent you will see the village of ILMINGTON down on the left hand side. Just before metal gates across track, turn right on track, following yellow arrow and drop down between fence on right and hedge on left to reach a tarmac driveway. Turn right and continue over cattle grid to follow driveway round to right passing Foxcote Mansion on your left with black metal fence. Continue on track down hill passing house on the left and climb a small hill to pass a larger house on right. Just after this house turn right and following white arrow on yellow background, to climb ahead up hill towards gate. Go through gate and continue between fences to reach gate way on left. Ahead and in approximately 30m, turn left on track ahead on path on left hand side of field, and at end of hedge ahead to gate and farm track. Turn right and continue on track to reach lane. Turn right on lane and follow round to the left and at junction where main road bears round to the right turn sharp left through two gates. Follow path keeping dry stone wall on right to gate, bear left following white marker arrows over hummocky ground to pass through metal gate and continue towards village in distance on clearly defined footpath. Ahead through gate and descend on track to join tarmac road passing farm buildings on right. Continue straight ahead through village to T- junction. On the left is a wooden bench seat

Q2 - What is the name inscribed on the seat?

Continue straight over main road on footpath through metal gate and continue ahead on well defined footpath and at next gate turn right and continue on right hand side of field keeping hedge on right. In 100 metres turn left and follow field round keeping field on your left and hedge on right but look out for gap in hedge to turn right crossing wooden bridge over small stream and continue ahead into next field keeping hedge on your left to reach farm track, cross over and with barn and disused building on your left turn immediately right on footpath signed “Heart of England Way”. Keep hedge on right and field on left proceed through gap in hedgerow on clearly defined path through woodlands with open fields beyond fence on right eventually emerging onto left hand side of field with woodlands on the left. In approx. 50 metres, turn left through gate, and descend down steps to reach road. Cross road and follow footpath “Heart of England Way” descending down hill across field adjacent to small copse on right. Continue straight ahead through gate on left hand side, turn right keeping to the right hand side of the field, ahead towards the church at bottom of field in corner. Through gate and continue on footpath through copse emerging into a small field, continue straight ahead in the direction of the church spire passing walled graveyard on the right through gate, down slope towards the church.

Q3 - What is the name of the house to the left of the footpath junction?

Turn right on footpath/bridleway to the gate ahead with another grave yard on left. Through gate and walk ahead 100 metres across meadow to a go through a concealed kissing gate in hedge, ahead across field to cross stile with yellow footpath arrow and continue up hill across field. Cross further stile and continue up hill, at top bear right in the direction of the yellow arrow keeping small copse of conifer trees on left, continue on footpath on ridge of field heading for woods to gateway. Ahead on bridle track and continue uphill towards stone wall with stone pillars and balls. Turn right through blue gate, cross over road and proceed on road opposite sign posted "Hidcote Manor Garden" continue on lane to the car park, and end of walk.

When you have completed this trail please use the Permanent Trail Entry Form

The organisers are not liable for accidents, thefts and/or damage to property. Every effort will be made by the organisers to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.

This trail is registered until 31 December 2010.