Great Barrington Circular Walk

You’ll want to make sure to bring your boots, as parts of the Great Barrington Circular Walk can get muddy, especially during the rainy months. If you want a meal or snacks before or after your walk you’ll have to leave the main village. There is a pub that is south of Great Barrington on the riverside of River Windrush.

This beautiful hike is a great way to enjoy Gloucestershire. Listen to the birds singing as you walk through the lush farms, and grassy meadows of the Cotswolds AONB. This loop begins and ends in the charming and historic village of Great Barrington.

Start your walk from the war memorial on the main street in town and follow the road away from Great Barrington toward the sign for Little Rissington and Bourton on the Water. Follow the stone wall to a wrought iron gate that offers a lovely viewpoint of the Barrington deer park. Make a left at the first opportunity, there is a metal gate and the sign will say it is a no-through road.

The path will be obvious as you follow the bridleway for 1.8mi. Continue straight through the pedestrian gate and turn right at the Restricted Byway sight. If you can use a break at this point, you can choose to continue on that track for just under a kilometer to reach a pub in Great Rissington.

If you made the detour, return to the path and make the right-hand turn at the restricted byway sign. You’ll walk past a farm which may have some loose animals such as chickens, ducks, and possibly dogs. Continue to the end of the field and turn right, towards a five-bar gate. Go through the gate, which is usually left open, and continue through some woods. When you come to the road, make a right and follow it until it begins to turn right. At the bend, you’ll see a path through the hedge that is marked by a waymarker post.

Follow the path through the hedge for about 0.5mi. You’ll be walking through the first field on a diagonal path to reach the second field and a small, wooded area. Look for a short post near a beach tree, one of the paths on the sign is for D’Arcy Dalton Way.

Turn right at the signpost and follow the D’Arcy Dalton Way down the hill. The lovely Windrush Valley before you will have signs along the path that point you in the direction of Great Barrington. Cross a babbling brook and walk towards the barn and the five-bar gate. Before you reach the gate you’ll see a pedestrian gate at the corner of the field that is diagonally across from you to the right. Go through the pedestrian gate onto the road and follow it as it turns left onto the main street.

Once you arrive in Great Barrington you’ll make your way back to the war memorial.

Trail Highlights

Scenic Gloucestershire Countryside

This walk is through quintessential Cotswolds landscapes. You’ll enjoy sweeping views of the green pastures and rolling hills that this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is famous for.

Consider a Walking Holiday in the Cotswolds

One of the best ways to experience this stunning Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is by booking a pre-planned adventure tour in the Cotswolds. Find the famous self-guided Cotswolds Way and other amazing guided and self-guided tours on 10Adventures Tours.