Posted on March 05, 2021
As the air begins to warm and the sun hangs in the sky for a little longer, nature's coming out to play and it’s the perfect time to put on your walking boots and wander through the beauty of The Cotswolds.
If epic views, honey-hued cottages and blossoms aren’t enough to entice you out for a ramble on the Wolds, maybe the yet to be found meteorite that landed in The Cotswolds recently will draw you out for a completely unique spring adventure!
Whatever your motivation might be, here are some wonderful spring walks in The Cotswolds to enjoy over the coming months.
Slad Valley
The grey stone village of Slad and its surrounding valley is known around the world for Laurie Lee’s novel Cider with Rosie and it’s a beautiful place to explore on a bright spring day.
Walk in the footsteps of Laurie Lee as you explore the glorious Slad valley on the circular walk which starts in the centre of the village. Follow various footpaths and country lanes to the Wysis Way long distance footpath towards Piedmont. While there, make sure you visit the Snows Farm Nature Reserve with its limestone grasslands and wild flowers which include early purple orchid, fragrant orchid and pyramidal orchids.
Plan your walk around the Slad Valley right here.
Broadway Tower
A little walk with huge views, the popular circular walk from Broadway village to Broadway Tower has fantastic views over the Severn Valley and beyond.
The route follows a short stretch of the 100-mile Cotswold Way National trail along historic paths that lead to the tower that stands 312 metres above sea level with a visual panorama stretching for 62 miles across 16 counties. Set among 50 acres of woodland in Broadway Tower Country Park, the tower itself is the highest castle in The Cotswolds and a great destination to experience true English heritage.
Find out where to eat, stay, play and more on a trip to Broadway in our Broadway Area Guide.
Blossom Trail of Evesham
The riverside market town of Evesham welcomes spring each year from late March to early May with dazzling displays of blossom. Pink cherry and apple blossom interspersed with white pear and plum blossom line the roadsides of the Vale of Evesham and its surrounding areas for a dreamy escape in The Cotswolds.
Spring walks don’t get more picturesque that this and you’ll also enjoy the local farm shops, roadside stalls, pick-your-own centres and farmers’ markets along the way.
Find out more about Evesham's beautiful blossom trail on Visit Evesham's website.
Dyrham Park
The 270-acres of parkland at Dyrham Park are great for exploring the great outdoors with far-reaching views across to Wales. For those looking for the colours of spring, the garden bursts to life each year with a wonderful display of colour and scent.
Following the snowdrops that line the drive, you reach the gardens and terraces where daffodils and pear blossom brighten up the orchard while purple and cream-coloured crocuses, hyacinths and primroses pop up around the garden.
In March the scent of wild garlic starts to fill the air while its white flowers mingle with the bluebells that begin to emerge in April.
Plan your walks around Dyrham Park's 270-acre parkland over on the National Trust website.
Bibury to Coln St Aldwyns
For honey-coloured buildings, swathes of green hillsides and unbeatable country pubs, why not take a circular walk from the town of Bibury and follow the River Coln through to Coln St Aldwyns and back?
Take in the cottages along Arlington Row in Bibury, arguably the most photographed houses in The Cotswolds, before traversing ancient route ways towards Coln St Aldwynn. A quieter village, this is the perfect stop for food at The New Inn Coln, a beautiful 16th-century coaching inn that’s a local favourite to eat and drink with great cocktails and burgers on the menu.
Plan your circular walk between Bibury and Coln St Aldwynn here.
Grafton Flyford Hairstreak Butterfly trail
The Hairstreak trail will guide you around the beautiful countryside of east Worcestershire, home to the rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly. The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation work together to maintain Grafton Woods, the centre of the only colony of brown hairstreak butterflies in The Cotswolds.
The trail leads you through fields of grazing cattle and sheep towards the woods filled with fine trees and wild flowers that attract many species of butterflies including the Brown Hairstreak butterfly. A perfect combination of nature and rural villages, the trail passes through Himbleton and Earls Common, perfect places to stop for lunch or a refreshment!
Download your leaflet to the Grafton Woods Hairstreak Butterfly trail here.