Day 2: The Cotswolds sightseeing itinerary
Day 2: Cheltenham - Elkstone - Birdlip - Cranham - Painswick
Go to Day 1 | 2 | 3
Cheltenham - Elkstone: 7½ miles (12 km)
Elkstone - Birdlip: 5 miles (8 km)
Birdlip - Cranham: 2½ miles (4.2 km)
Cranham - Painswick: 3½ miles (6 km)
Totals for the day: 18½ miles (30.2 km)
Elkstone
Begin your day in Elkstone with a visit to the Norman Church of St John, which boasts a selection of woodcarvings and a tympanum depicting Christ in Majesty. This tranquil village is an excellent starting point for many country walks with plenty of open greens and woodlands.
Birdlip
Travelling through the village of Birdlip, your next destination is the Great Witcombe Roman Villa. Take some time to explore these fascination remains dating back to the 3rd century. The complex was extensively modernised in the late 4th century, but was abandoned in the 5th century.
Cranham
Once a working 20th century Benedictine monastery, Prinknash Abbey in Cranham is home to a small group of monks and spreads over 17 acres. The extensive grounds now include a pottery, workshops, Saint Peter's Grange and a picturesque bird park.
Painswick
Next stop is Painswick, a small town with charming 17th-century homes dating back to days of the prosperous cloth industry boom. Explore the village shops and wander around the Rococo Gardens, the 6-acre garden featuring the original 18th-century design.
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