Today’s post is 1550 words, 35 photos, an 8 minute read. Enjoy!
Hi everyone,
After walking in the heat the previous day, the walk to Stanton was a pleasant 70°F (~21°C) with a nice breeze to keep us cool. Today we would meet more people walking because we were walking on the well-traveled Cotswold Way for the next couple of days. We’ll see more sheep, climb a couple of hills, and learn about Cromwell’s Seat.
If you missed the previous posts in this series, click here, here, here, here, and here.
Onward to Stanton
Breakfast at The Lion Inn in Winchcombe was delicious, I had the Butcombe Breakfast that came with sausage, bacon, fried eggs (over hard for me), sautéed mushrooms, and slow roast tomatoes. That plus a couple cups of coffee and I was ready to hit the trail.
Before leaving Winchcombe, I should tell you a little about this town of 5000 people nestled in the Isbourne Valley. The name Winchcombe come from the Old English words wincel and cumb meaning a valley with a bend. It is known for its charming, historic atmosphere. Seven walking trails cross through Winchcomb, making it a place amenable to walkers. While our stay was confined to The Lion Inn, this is a place that merits further exploration.
As we made our way out of town, we noted some of the interesting history in several buildings. The stone, stucco, wood, and windows gave a bit of a peek into the past. 
In the countryside, the sheep were grazing within a stones throw from the town.
As I mentioned, we were now walking on the well-traveled Cotswold Way National Trail. This 102 mile (164 km) footpath stretches from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north. It follows the western edge of the Cotswolds with views of the River Severn and the Malvern Hills. At a pace of 10-15 miles per day, the walk can be completed in 8-12 days. It’s not rigorous walking but does require a reasonable degree of fitness especially for those walking longer distances everyday. Many walkers will do the walk in segments rather than a through walk. There’s a lot to see and do along the way. 
We met many more walkers during our two days on the Cotswold Way than on our previous four days of walking. Sometimes we’d stop and chat especially if we met at one of the many gates and stiles. The little bridge in the photo below was unique, allowing us to go over a boggy spot in the trail.
We saw a lot of sheep including these curious lambs. Most of the time the sheep ignored us and went about their business of eating, resting, and the moms nursing their babies.
A little over two miles from Winchcombe, we came to Hailes Abbey an English Heritage Site. The photo below is not the Abbey, it’s the remaining Norman church that contains a collection of pre-1300 wall paintings. It was consecrated in 1175. Services are still occasionally held here. The church didn’t appear to be open although we didn’t stop to check the door.
Hailes Abbey was built in 1246 by the young brother of King Henry III. The Abbey became a pilgrimage site for a few hundred years until it was dissolved in 1539 by King Henry VIII after the Protestant Reformation. What remains are some of the arches of the Abbey and several artifacts in the museum.
About a quarter of a mile up the road just off the Cotswold Way trail was Hayles Fruit Farm. For being somewhat off the beaten path, it was a busy place. I had an orange Fanta and shared a piece of coffee cake with my Traveling Partner. In addition to the Orchard Kitchen there was a store that sold bedding plants, seeds, potting soil, and all sorts of gardening tools. There was also a campground occupied by a few tents and small caravans (campers). It was the Friday before a long weekend with a bank holiday on Monday when many businesses are closed. This was a nice rest stop that prepared us for the long slog up a gently sloping hill.
Cromwell’s Seat
Supposedly Thomas Cromwell, Chief Minister to King Henry VIII, sat at this spot to watch the sacking and burning of Hailes Abbey after its dissolution in 1539. This monument was erected in 1927 to mark the spot. Now walkers try out the seat, it’s not that comfortable!
We followed the high ridge all the way to the village of Stanway. We could see a long way off into the distance from this elevation.
I found this spot interesting where four stone fences came together, all dipping into a low spot.
Across the road from the stone fence was a freshly tilled and planted field. We weren’t sure what was planted in the deep furrows, maybe potatoes or beans? 
A typical old style farmstead with low buildings for the sheep, a higher one for cows, and a granary or two in addition to the farm house.
Flowering tress were quite prevalent during our spring walk. Most are likely hawthorn trees but some could be apple or cherry trees.
Another pair of cute lambs, these of the speckled variety. We saw a lot of speckled sheep in the Cotswolds. In fact, they are called Cotswold sheep, a breed unto their own.
Upon entering the small village of Stanway, I noticed this elegant building with a Ukrainian flag draped at the top. This is the gatehouse to the Stanway House, the manor house for an estate that goes back to 715 AD. The house itself was built in the 1500s and early 1600s. It was an abby for the first 800 years of existence then purchased by the Tracy family who lived there for the next 500 years. In the summer months, it’s open to the public.
Nearby, we found this sign.
We walked through this pasture where they must train jumping horses. We didn’t see any but did take caution.
More sheep resting in the shade of the many trees.
Stanton
Some publications say that Stanton, population about 200, is the most beautiful village in all of the Cotswolds. I’m sure many of the other small villages nearby would disagree. The honey colored limestone houses, some with thatched roofs, are the predominate style, it sure is attractive and quaint.
The first thing we see as we walk into the village is the war memorial with a plaque nearby. Eight local men lost their lives in World War I.
As we walk further into the village, we note this is the center of town where information is available and one can mail a letter but not make a call.
Here are a couple examples of the thatched roofs. Note the fake fox on the roof in the top photo and what looks like a cat in the second photo.
It was 3:30 PM when we arrived at our lodging, the Shenberrow B&B. We made pretty good time on our 8 mile journey, about 1.5 miles per hour, a very typical pace for the trail.
Meet Angela, our hostess at the B&B. She showed us to our rooms. My Traveling Partner and I had a very nice suite on the main floor, The Eldest was on the second floor. Angela had made a reservation for us at the only place to eat dinner in town, The Mount Inn.
After a shower and a rest, we set out for The Mount Inn. It wasn’t far but we had to work to get up the hill. We were out of breath when we reach the top of what seemed like a mountain. We enjoyed drinks (I a Donnington lager) on the patio that overlooked the village. I had the fish and chips with peas, a traditional English meal. Dessert was a passion fruit sorbet. Later we watched the sun set from our table indoors. As the sun was setting, we could feel the air getting cooler.
One interesting factoid that I learned while writing this post. Until 1947, The Mount Inn only had an off premises license to sell drinks. So the owners rigged up a tarp in an adjoining field. A dart board was nailed to a tree and drinks were served. Care had to be taken not to lose the darts in the dark. Now you know!
On the way to The Mount Inn, I snapped this photo of the spring flowers growing along the stone walls of a house.
Now for the five senses plus one.
Things we learned – it’s easier to walk eight miles when it is cooler, the Cotswold Way is a well-travel trail, sheep like to rest in the shade when it’s warm, another use for a red phone box, a town information center
See – lots of bird feathers, hawks and their shadows, many sheep and lambs, butterflies, flowering trees, roses, horses, Canadians, swans, Tudor buildings, sheep shearing equipment, airplanes, helicopter, huge trees (beech and oak), lots of flowers
Taste – salad, orange Fanta, beer, cider, cake sparkling lemonade, passion fruit sorbet
Smell – horse, sheep, and cow manure, flowering trees (hawthorn), lilacs, wisteria, fresh air
Hear – traffic, helicopter, airplane, sheep, dogs, dishes clanging, hum of conversation, creaking floors at the B&B, Canadians
Touch – sticky gates, sticky tree, slipping in sheep and cow crap, rocks under foot, tree roots, grass, lilacs and honeysuckle.
Next week I’ll take you from Stanton to Chipping Campden, a distance of 10 miles. We’ll take a slight detour to avoid at one big hill but have to climb another we couldn’t avoid.
Until then, happy travels!
Tom
PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all have plunked down your hard earned dollars and read the book. TM