Читать книгу Cycling in the Cotswolds. 21 half and full-day cycle routes, and a 4-day 200km Tour of the Cotswolds онлайн

37 страница из 46

Sunset over the scarp edge looking down towards Winchcombe

ROUTE 1

Shipston-on-Stour Loop via Brailes Hill

Start/Finish The White Bear Inn, Shipston-on-Stour (SP 258 405) Distance 23km (14 miles) Total ascent/descent 260m Grade Easy Terrain 100% roads Refreshments On route: The George Inn (Lower Brailes); La Tradition Bakery (Upper Brailes); The Gate Inn (Upper Brailes); White Bear Inn (Shipston) Short detour: Cherington Arms PH (Cherington); various in Shipston Parking Car parks in Shipston (free) Cycle hire Chipping Campden or TY Cycles (mobile) Road bikes? Yes Connecting routes Route 2

This is a fairly gentle introduction to the rolling Cotswold hills. Sibford Lane feels steep, but is short in reality, with good views. There’s a choice of pubs and even a French bakery en-route.

Head S from the pub, then turn left onto the one-way West Street (a small gyratory system), following NCN5 signs. You can follow these signs all the way past Sutton-under-Brailes. Give way to incoming traffic from your right and use the right-hand lane at the next junction. Take the next left off the gyratory onto Mill Street (B4035) towards Brailes. Continue over a narrow bridge and gently uphill. Where the road bends left, turn right to Barcheston. As soon as you leave the B4035 you feel out in the quiet countryside, with good views, particularly of Brailes Hill on the left.