Ride 8 in the Cotswolds on Horseback series. Print

Chedworth & Withington Woods (30km)

Waypoint 1 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
Chedworth & Withington Woods, Ride 8 in the Cotswolds on Horseback series. Approx. 27.5km (17 miles) with the loop to Withington but can be shortened to 21.5km (13.5 miles) by riding the large loop only. Fields, tracks and lanes, includes 600m of relatively busy lane and many gates. Parking available at Cotswold Farm Fayre (Farm shop and Cafe), Denfurlong Farm, please phone first to check (01285 720265), no parking fee but your patronage appreciated (Grid Reference SP066105). From the Farm Fayre drive, turn right along the road and almost immediately left on lane towards Lower Chedworth and downhill to a T junction. Turn right towards Yanworth and Stowell and turn first left on narrow lane, passing the Royal Mail red post box in the wall. Waypoint 2 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
Chedworth & Withington Woods, Ride 8 in the Cotswolds on Horseback series. Approx. 27.5km (17 miles) with the loop to Withington but can be shortened to 21.5km (13.5 miles) by riding the large loop only. Fields, tracks and lanes, includes 600m of relatively busy lane and many gates. Parking available at Cotswold Farm Fayre (Farm shop and Cafe), Denfurlong Farm, please phone first to check (01285 720265), no parking fee but your patronage appreciated (Grid Reference SP066105). From the Farm Fayre drive, turn right along the road and almost immediately left on lane towards Lower Chedworth and downhill to a T junction. Turn right towards Yanworth and Stowell and turn first left on narrow lane, passing the Royal Mail red post box in the wall. Waypoint 3 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
Turn right along the road to a staggered junction. Continue straight on (signed to Withington and Andoversford) for 850m and then turn left onto BW/drive to Woodlands Farm Main Entrance, through a gate and downhill into the woods. Follow the BW for 1.5km (passing the Withington Manor cross country course) to reach the lane at Hill Barn. Waypoint 4 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
To ride the short route (21.5km), turn left along the lane and follow directions from waypoint 7. To ride the long route, turn right and follow the lane to the edge of Withington. Waypoint 5 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
At the T junction, turn left into a no through road and at end of tarmac, continue uphill on BW following it for 1.8km past Upcote Farm and Elwell (there are several gates on this section). Waypoint 6 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
At a gate signed Horse Gallops, do not go though gate but turn left on a permissive path to a gap in the wall and go through. Turn left following the woodland edge and continue straight ahead on the BW to lane. Turn left for 150m, then right into field on a BW, cross field to exit through a small BW gate next to a cottage and turn right. Waypoint 7 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
Follow the lane for 3.8km to a sharp right hand bend (a private grassy track straight ahead), turn left onto BW. Follow the BW for 2.2km (there are five gates on this section) through Monkham Wood and downhill again to meet a BW gate with a tarmac drive just ahead. Waypoint 8 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
Do not go through this gate but turn right across the field along the BW. Continue along the track, passing an isolated group of barns, to the lane at Shawswell. Follow the lane to a junction and go left to Rendcomb, passing the playing fields. Waypoint 9 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
In Rendcomb, turn left on the lane signposted to Chedworth and continue to a T junction. Turn left along the give way lines and from the drive of Green Meadow Farm, cross the road into a field onto RB and cross the next five fields to the gate onto the lane. Turn left along the lane, past Pinkwell, to a crossroads (Field Road). Waypoint 10 Cotswolds on Horse Back Ride 8
Go straight across towards the school and into Chedworth. Turn first right, first right again past the school and right at the T junction. Follow this lane for 850m to the next junction and turn right, signed to Fossebridge and Bibury. At the top of the hill, at a T-junction with Field Road, turn right to Farm Fayre.