Ashton under Hill, Cotswold Hills (MBUK312)

START/FINISH
Ashton under Hill, near the Star Inn (grid ref SO 997/379, postcode WR11 7SN)

LOCATION DETAILS
The Cotswolds are well known for their mud in the winter, but when dry the picturesque countryside and flowing singletrack trails are hard to beat. This route concentrates on the trails over just one hill, but the area offers great views and historical interest.

HOW TO GET THERE
Exit the M5 at junction 9 (Tewkesbury) and take the A46 east towards Evesham. Turn off left to Ashton under Hill on the way, at the bottom of the big hill, and park on the roadside. There’s a railway station in Northway/Tewkesbury, not too far off the route, if required.

ACCOMMODATION/FACILITIES
The Beckford Inn in Beckford (01386 881532, www.thebeckford.com) is very nice, with good rooms, good food and a lovely setting. For food en route, the Star Inn in Ashton under Hill and the Crown Inn in Kemerton, halfway around, are both good.

Head north on Elmley Road. Turn left on Cotton’s Lane (dead end) and follow it left to the farm. Keep right, through a gate. Go left at the fork, still uphill, through the fields. Keep left to an obvious track through a gate. Shortly afterwards bear right, through another gate, and go right, to the top of the hill.

Follow this track alongside the trees, continuing straight ahead at the track crossing. Follow the trees to the right at the end, then go left along the edge of the field, with the trees still on your right. Climb up to and past Banbury Stone Tower. Continue straight ahead through the trees, following the track left, downhill. Keep on this path as it bears left. Go straight ahead at the crossing and follow the track down to Westmancote village.

Turn left on the main road at Hill Close. Follow it through Kemerton to Overbury. Turn left after the school sign, then left between the houses, over a cattle grid, into Overbury Park. Head uphill on the good track, past the lodge and farm, to a track crossing. Go straight over this, then right at a fork in front of a house to pass to the right of it.

Keep on this track as it becomes rougher, then head through a gate and across a field to the trees. Turn right (you came along here earlier), then after 1km turn left at the track crossing to head downhill on the Wychavon Way/Fiddler’s Knap bridleway. Bear right over a small bridge, then left after a second bridge, down to a road and turn right.

After 1km turn right on a road by some houses on the big left-hand bend. Immediately afterwards, go left on a bridleway, by the postbox. Turn right on the road at the end and follow it back into Ashton under Hill.


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Routes produced in association with

Rough Ride Guide