Natural England

A new flagship recreational route through some of England’s most breathtaking countryside will open on Thursday 24 May 2007. The Cotswold Way joins the elite National Trail family, funded by Natural England, becoming the 14th in England and Wales.

The Cotswold Way National Trail winds its way from the picturesque market town of Chipping Campden to the World Heritage City of Bath through 102 miles of butterfly-filled rolling grasslands and ancient beech woods, past miles of dry-stone walls and honey-stoned cottages.

The church bells of St Peter’s will ring out at 11:30am at Stanway House, near Winchcombe to mark the opening of the National Trail by Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England. Two groups of relay walkers, who set off from opposite ends of the National Trail a week before, will converge on Stanway House, bearing a shepherd’s crook symbolising the heritage of the Cotswolds.

Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “The Cotswold Way joins an outstanding family of National Trails, providing a network of healthy, green recreational routes for people to enjoy.

“National Trails are clearly signed and maintained to the highest standards, bringing confidence to all levels of walkers that they can go out and explore England’s breathtaking countryside, without harming the environment through which they pass.”

To preserve the character of the route, appropriate local materials are used to make the signs and surfacing and all signs on the Cotswold Way National Trail show the National Trail logo – the acorn.

Further celebrations, including the launch of Wickwar Brewery's Cotswold Way National Trail commemorative beer, will take place throughout the weekend at the Dursley Rural Festival, which runs from 25 – 28 May 2007.

-ENDS-

Tailored press packs and photographs are available from the press office on request. Please contact the Natural England press office on 0845 603 9953 or e-mail Beth.Rose@naturalengland.org.uk.

Visit www.naturalengland.org.uk or www.nationaltrail.co.uk.

Notes for editors:

National Trails are funded by Natural England. They are long distance routes for walking, cycling and horse riding through the finest landscapes in England and Wales. They have all been created by linking existing local footpaths, bridleways and minor roads and by developing new ones where there were gaps.

Highlights of the Cotswold Way National Trail include:

• The quintessentially English landscape of the Cotswolds – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty famous for its rolling grasslands with wildflowers, honey-stoned cottages and characteristic dry-stone walls, and ancient beech woods;
• Its unique wildlife such as the click beetle, edible snails, orchids, the duke of burgundy fritillary and rare violets;
• A variety of historic and archaeological sites from the Neolithic era to the Industrial Age including bronze age burial sites, waterwheels, a selection of beautiful churches and buildings associated with the famous wool trade;
• A rich cultural history with famous associations with people such as William Morris, Jane Austen, William Tyndale and Laurie Lee;
• A feast of local foods including Cotswold Beef, Cotswold Lion sheep, ice creams, Single and Double Gloucester cheeses, Bath Soft cheese, Kelston Park, Stinking Bishop cheese and Gloucestershire Traditional Orchard Apple Juice, Gloucestershire Cider, Gloucestershire Perry and Elderflower cordial;
• And its very own ‘Official Beer of the Cotswold Way National Trail’ brewed by the local Wickwar brewery.

Natural England
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.