Winchcombe to Belas Knap Long Barrow
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Our view
"A walk from Winchcombe to discover the secrets of one of the best preserved neolithic barrows in the country."
Walk directions
From the car park, walk down Cowl Lane to the town centre. At the end turn right, then turn left down Vineyard Street towards Sudeley Castle. Walk down the street flanked by pretty cottages, cross a bridge and come to the entrance to the castle, near a lodge. Stay on the road as it bears right and, after 300yds (274m), go through a kissing gate on the right.
Bear left to a stile and cross two further fields via a stile and footbridge on and follow its right-hand margin to a stile on the right. Go over the stile, turn left and follow the field margin as it rises. Cross a stile, pass Wadfield House, and walk on a track that goes past a pair of cottages, to a road.
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Additional information
Terrain
- Fields and lanes, several stiles
Landscape
- Wooded escarpment and village
Dog friendliness
- Lead required around livestock
Parking
- Back Lane pay-and-display car park
Toilets en route
- At car park
About the walk
The Cotswolds are riddled with settlement remains from all eras, including early tombs. Belas Knap (medieval for ‘beacon hill’), a huge green mound in a field overlooking Winchcombe, is one of the most evocative. Barrows (often known in Scotland and Wales as cairns) are widespread throughout the...
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Walking in Safety
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
Gloucestershire is home to a variety of landscapes, including the Cotswolds, a region of gentle hills, valleys and gem-like villages that roll through the county. To their west is the Severn Plain, watered by Britain’s longest river and characterised by orchards and farms marked out by hedgerows that blaze with mayflower in the spring; beyond the Severn are the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley.
Nearby places to stay
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Nearby places to stay
The Lion Inn
The Lion Inn, a 15th-century coaching inn situated in the picturesque town of Winchcombe is perfectly positioned for walkers on the 'Cotswold Way' or for simply exploring the local area...
Bushcombe House Farm
Bushcombe House Farm is a detached Cotswold stone farmhouse situated in an ANOB above Woodmancote near Bishops Cleeve. The farmhouse, having been renovated to a high standard, enjoys pa...
Ellenborough Park
Set on the original Cheltenham Racecourse estate, Ellenborough Park dates in part from the 16th century and has been beautifully restored. The Nina Campbell-designed bedrooms and suites...
Priory Cottage
On the outskirts of Cheltenham, Priory Cottage is a characterful property located within the peaceful Gloucestershire village of Southam. The living room has views of the garden and hil...
Priory Cottage
On the outskirts of Cheltenham, Priory Cottage is a characterful property located within the peaceful Gloucestershire village of Southam. The living room has views of the garden and hil...
Cleeve Cottage at Church Court Cottages
At the foot of Cleeve Hill, the ancient village of Prestbury is the setting for Church Court Cottages which are positioned around an attractive courtyard and have direct access to a pri...
The Beckford Inn
The Beckford Inn is a beautiful refurbished 19th-century Cotswold pub that retains its traditional charms while mixing in modern comforts and amenities. Stone floors and log burners can...
Cotswold Grange
Cotswold Grange is a beautifully restored Georgian property in a quiet leafy street less than half a mile from the centre of Cheltenham and a mile from the racecourse. There's a range o...
Places to eat nearby View all
