Seven Springs, Cotswolds. B Walk (BOOKING ESSENTIAL)

B WALK DESCRIPTION: 16.8 km / 10.5 miles, 456 m / 1,500 ft total ascent. Starting at a layby on the A436 near the top of Wistley Hill, South-East of Cheltenham, we follow a track along the edge of Linover Wood, stopping to see its ancient beech trees. We then cross the wood, first following a path to the east, then turning right to walk up to the northernmost corner of the wood. Here, we cross the A40 and ascend along the Cotswold Way by the edge of Dowdeswell Wood for about 800m, then continue walking around the wood and by Dowdeswell Reservoir until we get back to where we had crossed the A40. We cross the road again, this time taking a path that leads southeast from Lineover Wood. Ascending across fields, we walk past Castle Barn Farm and join a minor road, which takes us around Upper Dowdeswell and its historic Manor House. Arriving at Kilkenny, we stop for a picnic lunch, with an option to visit the Kilkenny Inn. We then follow paths across fields to cross the A436 and reach Kilkenny nature reserve. This is a fine viewpoint with wildflowers and butterflies in summer. From here, we follow a path south, continuing along a short section of the Gloucestershire Way, then turning right to follow a path past Holly Wood, Pegglesworth Home Farm, and Fishpond Wood, up to the A436 near our starting point. We cross the road and ascend to take the Cotswold Way westwards onto Wistley Hill, which offers spectacular views across Cheltenham towards the Malvern Hills. Continuing downhill on the Cotswold Way, we arrive at the coach at Seven Springs.