The Cotswolds and Sussex include some of the finest landscapes of lowland England.
In mediaeval times, the Cotswold hills were well-known throughout Europe as the source of some of the best wool. The splendid architecture of Cotswolds towns and villages today can be traced back to the prosperity of this mediaeval industry.
The coast of Sussex and Kent is England’s closest approach to continental Europe, providing an invasion route for the Romans and the 1066 Norman Conquest. Hastings and the other historic Cinque Ports such as Winchelsea and Rye were established to defend this coastline.
This is a gentle 6 or 8-night tour through the honey-coloured limestone villages and ‘wool-towns’ of the north Cotswolds. Starting at the little Oxfordshire town of Burford, our route takes in the delights of Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden. Our 8-night tour continues along the Cotswolds Way National Trail to Winchcombe.
We follow the South Downs Way National Trail from the Saxon town of Lewes to meet the coast at the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. East of Hastings the Saxon Shore Trail brings us to the hilltop town of Rye (5-night tour). The 7-night tour continues inland across the Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Cranbrook near which is the celebrated garden of Sissinghurst Castle.