Sunday 25th September 2011 Naunton, Upper Slaughter, Glos

Mike & Robin

This was one of our traditional Sunday walks, done with Robin and Mike, but in Mike's favourite area around Naunton. Mike drove us from Cheltenham on a grey morning and we parked opposite the Black Horse pub, ready for the return later. The circular walk is 7 miles which we did in around 2.5 hours.

The Black Horse, Naunton

We walked back through the village and turned left beside the old dovecote (see walk of 9th March 2011 with Mike). We continued up the hill past the dovecote until we reached the golf course, keeping to the well defined track before turning to the left, across fields towards the ford at the Windrush. We met another group of walkers there who greeted us and when we told then we were doing a circular walk back to Naunton via Upper Slaughter, their leader scoffed, questioning our navigational skills. When we were out of earshot, we let them have it! But I think they heard - see later.

Lords of the Manor

We crossed the field, heading across and uphill until we reached tarmac and then followed the road for some time past farm buildings and other Cotswold gaffs. Beside Manor Farm, we entered fields again with the promise of a pit stop and coffee but the view that Mike had in mind for our stop was crowded out by a blue rinse walking group who greeted us loudly as we approached! We eventually found some space (!), had our break and continued into Upper Slaughter, passing the Lords of the Manor and other pristine houses, turning left in the village to meet two bus-loads of ramblers, one from Derby. We admired the houses in the village, cursed the Londoners and made our way past the sea of humanity in walking boots.

We left the village along the track by the River Eye, through woodland until we met the road again - this time stopping to admire a handsome gate house for Eyford Park, before moving on for a short while before following the Wardens' Way track again. We passed a row of workers cottages before taking the track - I don't suppose these are for workers any more! The track at this stage is quite easy and we were making good time as the rain/drizzle came down, covering us very quickly. We followed the track in a zig-zag until we came to Brockhill Farm where we began our descent down to Naunton. We actually met our sceptical tour leader and his group coming the other way, apologising loudly and theatrically that he/they should never question other folks' navigational skills! Sorted!

We arrived back into Naunton in the rain, changed and enjoyed Donningtons BB and SBA beers with lots of other walkers!

An OS view walk is below, courtesy of QUO digital mapping/OS