Looking for a short circular walk from Stow on the Wold?

Many of you have been reading a blog post we wrote a few years ago, with details of a short circular walk from Stow-on-the-Wold. So, we thought we’d better update it for you!

Why visit Stow-on-the-Wold?

Visit Stow on the Wold

As one of the larger towns in the Cotswolds (yet still pretty small!), Stow-on-the-Wold makes a great place to visit. It oozes typical Cotswolds charm, with its gorgeous Cotswold stone architecture, ancient history, literary links, quaint tea rooms and fabulous independent shopping. It’s one of the 6 beautiful places we visit on our ‘Cotswolds in a Day‘ guided tour, and it’s always popular!

Obviously, we’d love you to join us on a guided day tour of the Cotswolds, but if you’re spending a little more time in the area, then you can enjoy a lovely short circular walk from Stow on the Wold by following our tips.

See more of the Cotswolds with friendly local experts

To see more of the Cotswolds on foot, then check out our ‘Cotswolds Walks & Villages‘ tour. Join one of our friendly local guides as we visit Broadway and its Tower, Burford and three pretty villages in the Windrush Valley.

You might also like our ‘Secret Cotswolds‘ tour! On this tour, you’ll visit some more of the Cotswolds’ hidden gems. We have a Bath & Stonehenge tour too!

Our short circular walk from Stow on the Wold

Pass through Broadwell on your short circular walk from Stow on the Wold

Distance: Approx. 3.5 miles
Time required: Allow at least 1 hour
Hills: Gradual downhill for the first 1.5 miles, then gradually up again for the next 1 mile, before a flat finish
Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL45 “The Cotswolds”
Terrain: part well-marked footpath, part quiet country lanes
Refreshments: The Fox Inn in Broadwell en route; the Queen’s Head in Stow-on-the Wold to finish

Disclaimer: The directions for this self-guided walk are provided in good faith, to be followed entirely at your own risk, and are not intended to replace use of a good map or common sense. Please take care and dress appropriately with appropriate footwear. Depending on the weather, time of year and other factors beyond our control, you may encounter puddles, mud, slip and trip hazards, thorns/nettles/overgrown vegetation, and traffic. Go Cotswolds shall not be held liable under any circumstances for any matter arising out of your participation in this walk. We accept no responsibility or liability for loss or injury (other than for matters for which we are not legally able to exclude or limit liability).

Route map for Short Circular Walk From Stow-on-the-Wold by Lisa Benjamin on plotaroute.com

Instructions for our short circular walk from Stow:

If you’re driving to Stow-on-the-Wold, park in the free car park adjacent to Tesco supermarket, just off the Fosse Way.

1. From the car park, head left towards the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold left along the Fosse Way. Merge into the High Street, then turn left opposite the police station into Parson’s Corner.

2. Continue along Parson’s Corner. At the end of this road, turn left down Well Lane (following the sign ‘To the Wells’). Check out the beautiful view to your right!

3. Continue along Well Lane, passing Stow Well on your left. You’ll eventually reach a house on the right – continue straight ahead where the road ends and turns into a track.

4. Continue along the track, until you reach the road. Head right and follow the road into the splendid village of Broadwell.

Broadwell

5. Arriving at the village green, turn left if you want to stop for a drink at The Fox Inn! Otherwise, continue straight across the green and turn left where the river crosses the road.

6. Follow the road, past Foxes Row on your left and keeping to the left at the junction with Kennel Lane on your right. Continue straight and at the top of the slope, you’ll see a stone-built bus stop. Just in front of the bus stop, veer off the road to the left and follow the footpath alongside the stream.

7. The footpath emerges onto a road (turning left here will bring you back to the Fox Inn). Turn right, follow the road and head past a row of Cotswold cottages. Opposite the end of this row of cottages, next to a farm gate, look for a footpath on your left hand side.

8. Follow the footpath through the church yard of pretty St. Paul’s Church and out the other side to the road. Turn left and follow the road up the hill all the way to the Fosse Way.

Back to Stow-on-the-Wold

9. Cross the busy road – there’s a footpath on the other side. Follow this footpath to the big silver gate, where there’s a fabulous view. At the gate, turn left and follow the footpath, eventually emerging back on the Fosse Way.

10. Turn right and follow the Fosse Way back towards Stow-on-the-Wold (approx 650 metres). Please take care walking on the verge along this busy road. The car park is on the left by Tesco.

Treat yourself in Stow-on-the-Wold!

After your short circular walk from Stow-on-the-Wold, I think you’ll deserve a cup of tea and a slice of cake! So, head back in to the centre of town and visit Lucy’s Tea Room or the famous Huffkins.

For something a little stronger, have a pint of Donnington Brewery’s ‘BB’ ale in The Queen’s Head, which is just off the market square.

Enjoyed your short circular walk from Stow-on-the-Wold?

Discover more of the beautiful Cotswolds countryside with Go Cotswolds

Why not join a Go Cotswolds tour next time? If you take our ‘Cotswolds Walks & Villages‘ tour, then you can explore more of the Cotswolds’ fabulous walking trails around Broadway and the Windrush Valley. What’s more, you won’t have the hassle of driving yourself or finding a parking space!

Alternatively, try our ‘Secret Cotswolds‘ tour. As well as the better known villages of Broadway and Burford, on this tour, you’ll visit some more of the Cotswolds’ special hidden gems.

If you want to learn more about Stow-on-the-Wold, then try our ‘Cotswolds in a Day‘ tour. On this tour, you’ll also visit beautiful Cotswold towns and villages, like Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Campden.

If Bath and Stonehenge are on your bucket list, well you can even visit these two UNESCO World Heritage Sites with us too! Bath & Stonehenge tour details are here.

On all our tours, you’ll have the added benefit of the expert knowledge of our friendly guides. As well as making sure you don’t get lost, they’ll fill you in on the history, culture and traditions of the Cotswolds, adding value to your day.