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Verified Slow Way

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I completed this walk today travelling from Chipping Norton. I really enjoyed walking this slow way. It does feel a little harsh just leaving it 4 stars, and it's very close to 5, but the very small amount of road walking and busy A3400 road to cross just stops it from being perfect. Don't let that put you off though, there are plenty of great views over the Cotswolds, lovely chocolate box village scenes and a view of the Whispering Knights standing stones along the route. Apart from Salford there are no shops or pubs en route, but there are plenty of choices for refreshments at either end.

The walk unusually heads west from Chipping Norton which is odd as Hook Norton is to the Northeast. I did wonder that there is possibly a more direct route, although it wouldn't take you through the Rollrights which is what I think this route was (rightly) trying to capture. The walk takes you along The Shakespeare Way to the lovely village of Salford where it then turns and starts to head northwards. Just as you leaver the village you join the D'arcy Dalton Way and pass Rectory Farm. Around the farm and the woods immediately to the north were the muddiest sections of the walk (photos 3 & 4).

You pass through the little village of Little Rollright fairly quickly, heading up the hill towards the Whispering Knights. You can see the stones from the route, but if you to explore these and the other connected standing stones which form the Rollrights you will need to take a small detour. After passing through the woods, the route traverses a broad ridge offering great views either side.

When you reach the A3400 (photo 9), you will need to climb down steps in the cutting to reach the road and take care crossing. The steps up on the other side are the steepest and I was grateful for a grab rail. The path across the field at the top of the steps was not visible (photo 10) and I had to check my GPS to ensure I was on the right route. The crop was still young in the field when I did the route, but imagined if the crop was more established it might have been tougher to cross.

On the approach to Great Rollright, you have a short 10 minute section along a quiet road with verges (photo 11) to reach the village. The highlight of this village for me has to be along Church End just before the church (photo 12). Really pretty with the spring flowers and a joy to see. The rest of the route towards Hook Norton is fairly elevated again offering good views.

Just as you get near Hook Norton, you have another short section of road to climb before rejoining the footpath. The path then drops down into the village and takes you across a footbridge and up Bridge Hill (photo 15) which conveniently deposits you at the Sun Inn where you can reward yourself with a beverage or even something to eat.

There are probably a few more stairs than I was expecting on this route, which given the rolling hills of the Cotswolds shouldn't have surprised me as much as it did. There are the usual other stiles, gates and footbridges to negotiate but everything seemed in order. I would definitely recommend the walk and do it again. Enjoy!.

Very muddy in places. Staircase crossing of A3400 isn’t great condition, take care.

A wonderful route between two Cotswold towns. Just as you leave Chipping Norton you get an amazing panorama of the walk you are about to take. Salford is a gem as the first village arrived at, then on through the Rollrights which is a mysterious pleasure. There are two awkward roads to cross A41 (with two steep staired banks) and the Hook Norton road just by Fanville Farm near the end of the walk. The walk follows the Shakespeare Way and the D'Arcy Dalton way. One of the pleasures of this walk is at the end the Hook Norton Brewery awaits.

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