Cotswold Way: Birdlip Hill to Painswick
Crossing the Birdlip to Brockworth road – or beginning from the village of Birdlip, descending Birdlip Hill to turn left in 0.25 miles (400m) – you enter Witcombe Wood, from where there is a long stretch of woodland walking. The woods here are very fine in spring and autumn, but the wide track can be muddy. The mass of tracks can potentially be confusing, but there are regular Cotswold Way waymarks. With pheasants much in evidence, the route passes a sadly overgrown entrance gate to Witcombe Park, and further on a track to the right leads downhill to the Great Witcombe Roman Villa.
The route leaves the Witcombe estate by a small cottage in a fine hillside position. A lane continues through the hamlet Cooper's Hill and past the bottom of the immensely steep scarp that gives the settlement its name, where the famous annual cheese-rolling event takes place. Cooper's Hill is suffering from erosion and is fenced off; the footpath bears left just beyond the hill, up through woods to reach its top.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
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