Cotswolds Day 6 – Bourton-on-the-Water Loop 9/25/24

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

10 miles

This last day had two route options. We could walk all the way from Bourton-on-the-Water back to where we started this trip at Cheltenham, which would clock in at 17.5 miles. The other option, which we chose, was a 10 mile route over to the town of Naunton and then looping back to Bourton-on-the-Water, where we would meet back up with Dad and drive back to Cheltenham.

This would end up being a good choice, as we got some fairly heavy rain later in the day. Mom joined us for the 4 mile hike to Naunton, where Dad was meeting us for lunch. He would then take her back and Court and I would finish the journey back on foot.

The walk out of Bourton-on-the-Water brought us through some quaint country cottages before diving into the woods for a bit.

We came out of the woods and hiked through a valley of horse and sheep pastures. Court got to touch one of the horses and then Mom lost her trekking poles trying to get a picture.

We met Dad in Naunton at the Black Horse Inn for lunch and he and Mom would head back in the car. Once we bid them farewell, Court and I headed up the hill behind Naunton to loop back to the beginning. Then it started to rain.

Luckily, a lot of the rest of the hike was sheltered under forest canopy, so it wasn’t too bad.

The last part of this day was the same trail that we had followed the day before from Lower Slaughter back to Bourton-on-the-Water. We did stop for a pint at a pub in Lower Slaughter while we waited out the rain a bit.

When we arrived back at Bourton-on-the-Water we packed up and headed to Cheltenham to spend our last night before heading to London for three days. We were treated to a nice sunset.

We would head back to London the next day on the same train that brought us out to the Cotswolds. This was a beautiful and unique trip that we all enjoyed very much. Thanks to Mom for the inspiration and ultimately putting together all the logistics. I’m glad I got to experience this with you and Dad and my wife. I will look back on it fondly, always.