We were delighted to join Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome to celebrate the successful upgrade of the footpath from Castle Street into Sudeley’s parkland on 7 May, ahead of the ever-popular Winchcombe Walking Festival.
The newly stoned path covers an incline which had previously been prone to getting boggy, enhancing the experience of walkers enjoying Winchcombe’s network of footpaths, which includes links to the Cotswold Way and Windrush Way.
Described by Town Councillor Jim Mason as ‘the walking capital of the Cotswolds’, Winchcombe can now boast 2.5 miles of stoned, accessible footpaths which have been created thanks to Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome, Cotswolds National Landscape and local businesses all working together.
Jim Mason, Chair of Winchcombe Town Council, unveiled a decorative gate as part of the commemorations which was crafted by Kenelm Joinery in Winchcombe. It features ironwork depicting walkers, sheep, nature and the castle itself, created with advice from local firm Forgeability.
‘It’s not a gate, it’s a work of art,’ remarked Sheila Talbot of Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome enthusiastically, with Robert Talbot adding that the footpath upgrade was ‘the missing link in the network of Winchcombe’s footpaths.’
We hope that more people living in and visiting Winchcombe will enjoy walking near the castle, which can also be reached on foot from the town via Vineyard Street, past our Castle Gatehouse holiday cottage and across a scenic bridge traversing the River Isbourne.
To find out more about the story behind the Winchcombe Walking Festival, which takes place each May, you can listen to Mike Reynolds, our Head of Guides, discussing Sudeley's history and involvement with the festival (from 31 minutes in) online at www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com.
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Footpath gate featuring Sudeley Castle -
Robert Talbot from Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome and Town Councillor Jim Mason -
Town Councillor Jim Mason unveils the footpath gate -
Walkers admire the footpath gate
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