Winchcombe walking capital of the Cotswolds

17/05/2024

The walking festival got of to a glorious racing start with a visit to the stables of Nigel Twiston-Davies, one of the Uk's top racing trainers. We continued to the dovecote in Naunton, Guiting Power and back to Winchcombe through Guiting wood on a fantastic hot sunny day!

14/05/2024

Not long now!

Winchcombe Walking Festival begins on Friday and we are looking forward to welcoming walkers from around the country and abroad.

If you are joining us, please make sure you read the information sheet so you know where to meet and what to bring.
https://www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com/information/important-walking-festival-information/

See you soon!

06/05/2024

05/05/2024

Many thanks to the wonderful Cotswolds Voluntary Wardens who travelled from as far as Blockley, Evesham and Bradford on Avon to help clear vegetation around Spoonley Villa, erect an information board and clear paths in preparation for Winchcombe Walking Festival. The ground was so wet they had to park half a mile from the Spoonley site and push a wheelbarrow and carry tools for over half a mile across boggy ground before starting work. Absolute legends!

02/05/2024

You don't have to be a walker to take part in the Walking Festival!

You can sit with a glass of wine and enjoy beautiful wildlife photography while listening to a farmer explain why his award winning organic farm is so rich in wildlife.

Join us on Saturday 18 May at Abbey Fields Community Centre.

30/04/2024

Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome team wins an award!

Following the publication of the latest Bradt's Slow Guide to the Cotswolds, Bradt's held an award ceremony to highlight the best examples of 'Slow Travel' in the area.

We were delighted to receive a Highly Commended Award for our passion and commitment to walking.

17/04/2024

Winchcombe Tidy Up Day - 11 May, 9am - 12 noon

With the walking festival fast approaching and more visitors starting to arrive, it's time to tidy up the town centre.

If you would like to get involved in this community activity just turn up at Abbey Terrace at 9am on Saturday 11 May with spades, hoes, brooms and gardening gloves. The Town Council will provide red rubbish bags and arrange for collection.

Thanks, see you there!

06/04/2024

Cotswold Way - Work is in progress improving the surface of the national trail linking Vineyard Street with the stoned path leading to Corndean Lane. The all weather surface will allow people to walk safely regardless of weather conditions, including rain, or mud, ensuring year-round accessibility for pedestrians, including those with mobility challenges. It is part of our philosophy of creating an all weather route through the town.

24/03/2024

Sadly the Tourist Information Centre in Winchcombe has closed for the last time. Since Winchcombe became a Walkers are Welcome town in July 2009, the ladies have been there to help us, suggesting walks to visitors, giving advice about the walking festival and selling our guide books.

So thank you to all the staff pictured here, we will miss you.

23/03/2024

Today the new River Coln Trail was opened in Fairford by Kate Ashbrook, Patron of Walkers are Welcome. The Trail is a joint effort by the two Walkers are Welcome towns of Winchcombe and Fairford.
The 33 mile walk starts in Winchcombe and follows the Sudeley Valley to Charlton Abbots, where it meets the source of the River Coln. From there it follows the river as it wends its way through unspoilt countryside and charming villages to Fairford then on to Lechlade and the River Thames.
The route is waymarked and a guide book is available, dividing the route into 9 circular walks, making it perfect for a weekly walk throughout the summer.
www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com

16/02/2024

Going underground in the Cotswolds 24 February
Local residents are being invited to find out more about National Grid’s final plans for the once-in-a-generation project to remove 16 pylons and 7 kilometres of overhead electricity line to transform the landscape on the Cotswolds Plateau.
A public information drop-in at Abbey Fields Community Centre, Back Lane, Winchcombe on Saturday 24 February 2024 from 10:00am - 2:00pm where visitors can meet the project team, ask questions and give feedback as the project plans are finalised.

03/02/2024

We are pleased to announce that we are now taking bookings for the walking festival. Get in quick, the best walks always sell out quickly!

We have a team of over 20 local trained walk guides waiting to lead you on a wide range of walks to discover the delights of the north Cotswolds, plus a fascinating talk and a dinner/quiz.

29/01/2024

We are out and about checking walks for Winchcombe Walking Festival. We have a new 'Challenge route' this year taking in the Windrush Way. Details will be published soon.

22/01/2024

Temporary footpath closure

From today 22 January, part of the riverside footpath near Broadway Road between A and B on the map will be closed for up to three weeks while work takes place on the eroded section. The work is being carried out by contractors employed by Glos Rights of Way team.

Walkers will still be able to access the path from Castle Street, but will only be able to take the path diagonally across the ridge and furrow field to Rushley Lane.
We have been waiting a long time for this work to be carried out and hope that it will preserve this much loved path for many years to come.