Stow on the Wold Circular Walk
The picturesque Cotswolds town of Stow-on-the-Wold has a number of popular long distance trails running through it. You can use these to make a nice circular walk visiting the surrounding countryside and villages.
This 5 mile circular walk starts in the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold and follows the Gloucestershire Way to Upper Swell where there is a reservoir and a small Norman church dating from the 12th century. You then head south to Lower Swell along the Heart of England Way. It's a very pretty little village with the River Dikler, a nice village green and several mellow stone cottages.
The route continues south to Hyde Mill before turning east along the Macmillan Way to Maugersbury. Country lanes then return you to Stow-on-the-Wold.
If you would like to extend the walk then you can head south west along the Gloucestershire Way at Hyde Mill to The Slaughters. Here you can enjoy a lovely walk between Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter along the River Eye. It's about a 4 mile walk with more details on the Stow on the Wold to the Slaughters Walk page.
Stow on the Wold Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Stow on the Wold Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Stow on the Wold OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Stow on the Wold Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Stow on the Wold
- The Slaughters - This short walk between these two delightful Cotswolds villages is a favourite for visitors to the region
- Gloucestershire Way - Travel from Chepstow in Wales to Tewkesbury in Gloucestshire and visit the Forest of Dean, the Severn Plain and the Cotswolds on this beautiful and varied walk
- Heart of England Way - Follow the Heart of England Way through the Midlands of England
- Macmillan Way - This epic long distance path links Boston in Lincolnshire to Abbotsbury in Dorset
- Monarch's Way - This incredible 615-mile walk approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester
- Stow on the Wold to Bourton on the Water Walk - This linear walk joins these two picturesque Cotswolds village using a series of waymarked footpaths
- Daylesford - This little village in the Cotswolds has some nice footpaths to follow around its fine old country house
- Bourton on the Hill - This small Cotswolds village is located near Moreton-in-Marsh and Blockley in Gloucestershire
- Stow on the Wold to the Slaughters Walk - This walk visits some of the loveliest villages in the Cotswolds as you travel from Stow on the Wold to The Slaughters
Pubs/Cafes
The village is home to Britain's oldest pub at the Porch House. The inn has an interesting history dating all the way back to the 10th century when it was thought to have been a hospice built on on land belonging to Evesham Abbey. The interior has bags of old character with wonky ceilings and a very fine 16th century fireplace. They do excellent food and also provide accommodation if you need to stay over. There's also an outdoor area for finer days. You can find the historic inn on Digbeth Street with a postcode of GL54 1BN for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The countryside surrounding the village makes for a fine dog walk and the Porch House pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
In the village pay a visit to the medieval St Edward's Church. The church is a Grade I listed building and a tourist attraction due to its history, architecture, large stained glass windows, buttresses, old yew trees and neatly kept churchyard. It's well worth a visit if you have time on the walk. You can find the historic building at 2 Crossways House the Square with a postcode of GL54 1AB for your sat navs.
Stow also has a number of nice shops and art galleries to explore as well. This includes the Clarendon Fine Art Gallery on the square where there's a fine selection of artists and genres.
Just a couple of miles to the east you can pick up the Daylesford Walk. This circular trail will take you around the Georgian Daylesford Estate before visiting the neighbouring villages of Adlestrop and Upper and Lower Oddington.
The Donnington Way - Cotswolds Pub Walk passes through the town. The long circular walk visits 15 fine old Donnington Brewery pubs in the Cotswolds.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cotswolds Walks page.
Photos
Stow on the Wold. A convoy of well looked after classic and vintage cars arrives in front of the White Hart Inn
Cross and Sundial, Stow-on-the-Wold. Situated in the market place in the town centre.
Lower Swell, a typical Cotswolds Village. Entering the village from the west with the well cared for war memorial and the main street.
St Edward's Well, Stow-on-the-Wold from the western side
The town has the distinction of hosting what is reputedly the oldest pub in Britain, the "Porch House", dating from circa 947 AD. This is a photo of the Grade II listed building in 2008 when it was called the Eagle and Child.
Stocks, Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold