Stomor three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

My 100th Slow Ways - and I was hoping this one was going be different. One last chance ...

When you've loved something for years but then you find out it doesn't love you back. You thought you were connected but weren't.

I was yearning for a rural idyll. Some peace, calm and quiet. The joy I felt when I was younger and lived around here. A connect with nature. Somewhere to ease your soul. Getting some deep connection. A warm hug from the countryside. So many areas I still wanted to explore.

I actually came away feeling quite sad and tearful.

Expectation had crashed into reality. My nostalgia and passion for things getting in the way again.

My love for the Cotswolds unfortunately ended here.

So many many cars clog the roads into and through the town. The bus was 15 mins late due to the traffic and a long drag into Moreton. You could hardly see the towns for the long slow procession of cars. It was difficult to get somewhere for lunch as it's so so busy - on a dreary Monday ! It's so expensive for drink and food - felt like London prices. Nobody wants to say hello. I felt a total disconnect from these once quiet charming places I loved - now drowning in new house bling and tourists. London-on-the-Wold.

The path in between the towns was just fields and luckily autumn had kicked in early so there was some colour. Its a functional route spoilt by the very busy road walk into Stow on a narrow path by the verge.

I spent years here. I would have written a love letter for it (though probably just my usual incoherent ramblings). It is what it is and it won't change. There's nothing here for me to hold onto now. I know I won't be coming this way again. Other routes await - route 101 .

The picturesque town of Moreton-in-Marsh was somewhat spoilt by the number of cars queueing along the main street, but we soon reached the arable field footpaths of Monarch’s Way. This was all very well used and maintained, with stiles, gates, and footbridges in good condition.
Longborough, in the middle of the route, had a village shop and café, as well as a pub. More lanes and fields took us to Donnington, where the path was taken further away from the Manor buildings than the map indicates (re-marked-out by the owners I think), but it was not too difficult to follow on the ground.
More lanes and fields brought us to the very busy A429 straight into Stow-on-the-Wold. Initially, there was no pavement, but a decent grass verge which looked well used by walkers.
Stow was another beautiful old Cotswold town, but with far too many cars, and with eyewatering prices. The Old Stocks at the meeting point had been removed for renovation!
5* except for the road section, although probably the only alternative would be to add mileage by going via Broadwell, as StoMor Two does.

Much of this route is the same a Stomor two. The route out of Stow is along the main road (Fosseway) towards Moreton. The Route is best followed on the left side of the road going towards Moreton, walking on the grass verge, where you reach a lay-by. Here the route follows a well marked path across the fields. The route comes to Donnington where it is again difficult to follow the correct path as a few meet here. You need to follow the Monarch’s Way. (If you go wrong you can pick up the Heart of England Way and return to the route. However you will pass the monument to the last battle of the Civil war). From here there are several styles, narrow bridge crossings and the route is passable but some quite muddy sections (in November).
Continue to follow route into south end of Moreton in Marsh.
Route is not suitable for wheeled vehicle /wheelchair users.
Pleasant walk with some nice views. Safe with the exception of needing to walk on the grass verge next to the Fosse way for 2-300 meters.
Except for the potential of taking the wrong path in Donnington it is easy to follow.

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