Today I want to share my guide to a Moreton-in-Marsh walk in the Cotswolds. This circular walk is a great way to get out into the English countryside in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. Along the way there’s everything from picture-pretty Cotswolds villages to fanciful stately homes, country pubs, and an arboretum. Read on for the route, map, video, and photos.
Moreton-in-Marsh Walk
This Moreton-in-Marsh walk is ideal if you want to explore the Cotswolds without a car.
There are direct trains from London to Moreton-in-Marsh, and they transport passengers to the heart of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in just 1 hour and 30 minutes.
I’m here today with two friends and one of their dogs. We can’t wait to get out onto the paths and into the English countryside.
Taking a country walk in the Cotswolds has long been on my UK bucket list, and now that I’m here I’m excited to discover the area on foot.
Moreton-in-Marsh Walk Route
Once in Gloucestershire, we start the Moreton-in-Marsh circular walk at the station. The relatively flat 7-mile (11-kilometer) route takes us through this small market town on the ancient Roman Fosse Way in the Evenlode Valley.
As we go, we get a glimpse of the famous Cotswold stone buildings and picturesque streets the area is famous for.
The Monarch’s Way
Soon we’re off on a side street leading to one of many Moreton-in-Marsh walking trails.
It’s on the Monarch’s Way, a 625-mile (1006-kilometer) long-distance footpath in England that loosely replicates the route taken by King Charles II after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651 at the end of the English Civil War.
The Monarch’s Way takes us through farms and fields, under tree arches, and alongside hedges as our Moreton-in-Marsh walk carries us into rural England.
We cross bridges over streams, spot cows and sheep, and bask in the scents and sunshine of the countryside.
Longborough
Soon we find ourselves in the village of Longborough. Not far from Stow-on-the-Wold, it’s packed with quintessential Cotswold stone houses and a small green with a country pub.
A church steeple rounds out the scene, and we feel like we’re in English country heaven.
Heart of England Way
We stop for lunch and drinks in Longborough, then continue our Moreton-in-Marsh walk on the Heart of England Way. It’s a 100-mile (160-kilometer) long-distance walking route that runs from Milford to Bourton-on-the-Water.
The path takes us through fields with stunning views over the surrounding landscapes, reminding us once again how beautiful the Cotswolds are.
Sezincote House
We pass through woodland areas and cross country roads, eventually finding ourselves in front of the spectacular dome of Sezincote House.
This stately home looks like an Indian Mughal palace transplanted in the heart of the British countryside.
Built in 1805, Sezincote House is in fact a notable example of the Neo-Mughal architecture that reinterpreted 16th and 17th-century Mughal Empire buildings.
Surrounded by stunning gardens and grounds, the house is a delightful surprise. We walk past the gates, wishing we had time to tour the house before continuing our Moreton-in-Marsh walk along a drive through the estate.
Bourton-on-the-Hill
Soon we turn off into fields as we walk up a gentle slope and make our way to the nearby village of Bourton-on-the-Hill. Another Cotswolds gem, it’s full of pretty cottages, a classic red phone box, a historic church, and a pub.
Batsford Arboretum
We make a round of Bourton-on-the-Hill, then continue our country walk down a road. After a short distance we turn off to walk up to Batsford Arboretum. This 56-acre (23-hectare) space is full of gardens with trees and shrubs from all over the world.
It reminds me of Westonbirt Arboretum, which I once visited on a trip to the Cotswolds in autumn.
I wish we had time to go and explore the grounds, but we have to make do with waving hello as we walk through a pasture with sheep to continue our Moreton-in-Marsh walk. It takes us to fields full of yellow flowers, and I can’t put my camera down.
Moreton-in-Marsh
Soon we’re back in Moreton-in-Marsh and our country walk in the Cotswolds is coming to an end.
We make our way to the train station to catch a service to London, pressing our noses to the windows as we speed through the countryside en route to the capital.
It’s been a great Cotswolds day trip, and I’m glad I’ve finally gotten to do one of the many country walks in the area.
Moreton-in-Marsh Walk Map
If you’re interested in going on this Moreton-in-Marsh circular walk, you can find the GPS map here. It’s easy to follow and it has everything you need.
Moreton-in-Marsh Walk
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to a Moreton-in-Marsh walk in the Cotswolds. It makes for a beautiful day out, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you go. It’s one of the best country walks near London, and it’s worth a special trip.
You can read about more great walks in the book Time Out Country Walks: 30 Walks Near London, too. You can get it on Amazon here. Happy walking!
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