Tuesday, 17th March, 2026 – Start: 10:00 am

A circular walk around the Coln Valley centered on Bibury. Described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England. A Spring visit to beat the crowds!

It was probably the weavers’ cottages of Arlington Row that caught the eye of our famous arts and crafts champion or maybe it was the trout filled River Coln utilised to create Rack Isle where wool once was hung out to dry. Whatever, the attraction was so great that Henry Ford tried to whisk the whole place back to his American museum. Fortunately for us he failed.

A circular walk around the Coln Valley centered on Bibury.  Described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England. A Spring visit to beat the crowds!

Arlington Row
Photo: Patrick McCarthy

Distance

6.5 miles / 10.46 km

Duration

3 hours

Difficulty

Moderate fitness, may be steep slopes

Shape

Circular

Route description

From Bibury we make our way to Ablington with its almost hidden Manor House. Once again we cross the River Coln cutting through Ablington Downs before turning onto the old Salt Way. Then, to finish off our walk, we will make a brief call at C12th St Mary’s Church back in Bibury.

Organised by: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens

Led by: Patrick McCarthy. Ray Goold, John Milroy, Roy Taylor.

Start

Address

On road opposite public toilets
View start on Google Maps

OS Grid Ref

SP 116 067

What3Words

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Travel Info

Opposite public toilets on riverside road near Arlington Row