Cotswold Way: Painswick to Sheepscombe Loop

This 8.9 km loop leaves Painswick on a quieter section of the Cotswold Way, climbing out of the valley onto the escarpment where long views across the Severn Vale open up, before dropping into the secluded village of Sheepscombe in its hidden valley. The 246 m of climbing comes in sustained pulls on both the ascent from Painswick and the return from Sheepscombe, with the terrain shifting between mature beech woodland, rolling pasture and open escarpment grassland. The route has a strong sense of progression, moving through different landscapes as it circles between the two settlements, and the rural, unhurried quality of the walking is part of its appeal.

Dogs get a well-rounded dog friendly walk here with genuine variety. The beech woodland carries rich seasonal scent, particularly in autumn when the leaf litter deepens, and the open escarpment provides space, wind and long views. Off-lead potential is limited as livestock graze the pastoral sections and leads should be carried throughout. The sustained climbing provides proper exercise, and the descent into Sheepscombe through quieter woodland offers a satisfying change of pace. The paths are well defined and easy to follow, though the lower sections can be muddy after rain. A walk with real Cotswold character that avoids the busier sections of the Way.