Thursday, 18th December, 2025 – Start: 10:00 am

A short historic winter walk around Hailes and Farmcote

Despite being only four miles in length, the walk passes numerous historical land marks and structures including a rare reworked iron age Ringwork with Bailey, the medieval Beckbury hill fort, the 13th C Hailes Abbey and two 12th Century churches with Hailes being particularly notable in still displaying many rare 14 thC wall paintings and a 17th C Rood screen. Cromwell’s Monument is much later, being a 19th C limestone pillar.

A short historic winter walk around Hailes and Farmcote

Photo: Campden Lane, Alan Groves

Distance

4.5 miles / 7.24 km

Duration

2.5 hours

Difficulty

Moderate fitness, may be steep slopes

Shape

Circular

Route description

Starting at Hailes church we will follow the Cotswold Way to Cromwell’s Clump and Monument, where we will take a short break and enjoy the distance views to Malvern and beyond, given favourable weather. The monument is reputed to be the position Thomas Crowell watched Hailes Abbey burning during the dissolution of the monasteries. Thereafter we will continue our way along the Cotswold Way before heading south along Campden Lane, an ancient saltway and drove road. A right hand turn then takes us along a walled field boundary before, yet again, enjoying far reaching views of Winchcombe and beyond. It is only then a short distance to stop and enjoy the tranquility of St Faith church, Farmcote. The last section returns us down towards Hailes with the opportunity to enjoy a descending walk through Hayles Fruit Farm orchards and Salters Lane back to where we started. We complete the walk with the opportunity for seasonal refreshments at Hayles Cafe.

A cafe, toilets and farm shop are all available Hayles fruit farm.

Organised by: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens

Led by: Richard Sharp, Alan Groves

Start

Address

Hailes Church, Hailes, Cheltenham, UK
View start on Google Maps

OS Grid Ref

SP 050 301

What3Words

airship.irrigated.suiting

Travel Info

Hailes church car park. GL54 5PB. Off the B4632 north of Winchcombe