Hawkesbury Upton (B)

This is a figure of eight walk, with 7.5 miles in the morning and 4.5 miles in the afternoon. We will explore how people have lived on the scarp slope of the Cotswolds from prehistoric times onwards. There are two steep descents of the scarp, one made more difficult by large stones buried in grass. The rest of the walk is fairly easy, mainly along well-made tracks and minor roads. We will follow part of the Cotswold Way in the morning and the Monarch's Way in the afternoon. In the morning we will go south as far as the hill fort at Little Sodbury. Pub stop at lunchtime. In the afternoon we will descend to Hawkesbury Church in the west, climb back up to the plateau, and then enjoy a gentle descent and ascent of two valleys on the dip slope. ( The afternoon route may have to be shortened if darkness threatens.) Throughout the day there should be fine views along the Cotswolds and over the Severn Estuary.