Walk in the Cotswolds: From Sherston to Easton Grey

The Sherston to Easton Grey walk explores a charming section of the River Avon as well as the delightful country lanes, rolling fields and equestrian centres of the Cotswolds. The River Avon flows peacefully through the picturesque Cotswold villages of Sherston and Easton Grey and adds charm to this serene countryside escape.

This Cotswold walk starts at the quaint village of Sherston and first takes you along country lanes and through lush fields, following the River Avon to the chocolate-box hamlet of Easton Grey. This circular walk then leads you along the Roman Road and through an equestrian centre back to Sherston. The walk itinerary is complex to follow and so, you’ll need to follow the walk instructions and map closely.

Location: Sherston, Wiltshire

Walk difficulty: Intermediate

Time: 3 to 3 ½ hours

Distance: 7 miles (11 km)

Walking along the River Avon

This Cotswold walk begins at the picturesque village of Sherston, located close to Malmesbury and Tetbury in the South Cotswolds. Featuring a quaint high street, narrow side streets, honey-coloured cottages and a 12th century church, Sherston is a typical Cotswold village.

Quaint Cotswold cottage in Sherston
Cotswold cottage in Sherston

The Sherston to Easton Grey walk takes you through a succession of verdant fields and lush woodland, along charming country lanes and quiet country roads, and follows the White Walls Way, a 20-mile circular walk between Malmesbury and Luckington. Throughout the walk, you’ll enjoy limited views of the gently rolling Cotswold countryside.

River Avon flowing through the Cotswold countryside near Sherston
The River Avon and the Cotswold countryside

This Cotswold walk follows the twists and turns of the River Avon. From the heights of the banks, you’ll spot the river and its mill, known as Pinkney Mill, but you’ll only be able to fully enjoy the splendour of the river when you reach Easton Grey.

Strolling along the Roman Road

This circular walk then reaches Easton Grey. As you cross the medieval bridge over the fast-flowing River Avon, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Boasting enchanting honey-coloured cottages, Easton Grey is a chocolate-box Cotswold hamlet. This village has enjoyed the river’s peaceful meanders since Roman times. Back then, it was the site of a Roman military station.

High street and cottages of Easton Grey
The charming hamlet of Easton Grey

As you leave the hamlet behind, you follow several lovely country paths and cross the river once more before reaching the Roman Road. This Cotswold walk then leads you along a succession of dirt tracks and country roads that form the Roman Road, also known as Fosse Way. Although the path is a straight line on a map, the Roman Road enjoys a few twists and turns.

The straight and broad Roman Road, also known as Fosse Way
The Roman Road

The Sherston to Easton Grey walk then takes you through an equestrian centre featuring paddocks, riding arenas and stables. Renowned in part for the Badminton Horse Trials, the village of Badminton is located close by and so, you’ll spot a lot of horses and equestrian centres in this area of the Cotswolds. On the way back to Sherston, you’ll also enjoy lovely views of the village.

Sherston to Easton Grey walk itinerary

1. From the high street in Sherston, take Noble Street. At the fork, turn left onto Tanners Hill. Take the steps to your left, following the footpath sign. Cross the street and continue straight ahead along the footpath and through the kissing gate.

2. Go through the second kissing gate and cross the field aiming for the middle of the opposite fence and the stone barn. Cross over the stile and the field aiming to the right of the stone barn and the far-right corner of the field. Go through the kissing gate and turn right onto the road.

3. After crossing the bridge, turn left onto the uphill road and further up, turn left onto the dirt track following the footpath sign. Continue straight ahead and go through the gate. Continue straight ahead and then veer left, keeping the wall to your left.

4. Go through the gate and turn right. Go through two further gates and after the second, turn left and walk along the field boundary to the opposite corner. Cross over the stile and continue straight ahead, keeping the fence and the river to your left.

5. Cross over the next stile and follow the path to the next field. Go through the gate and turn left, keeping the fence to your left. When the fence veers left, continue straight ahead following the signposts and aiming for the metal feeding trough and the opposite corner of the field.

6. Follow the path and cross over the stile, the bridge and the following stile. Continue straight ahead, keeping the fence to your left. Go through the gate and turn left onto the road. Cross the bridge and take the first right onto the uphill road.

7. At the U-bend, turn left following the footpath sign. Cross the small car park into the field and continue straight ahead keeping the field boundary to your left. Veer right, aiming for the stile. Cross over the stile and follow the man-made path aiming for the far-right corner of the field.

Views of Sherston across a field in the Cotswolds
Views of Sherston

8. Cross into the next field, turn right and keep the field boundary to your right. Follow the path into woodland. Cross the bridge. Follow the path and go through the gate. Continue straight ahead to the kissing gate and follow the downhill path.

9. Go through the kissing gate and turn right onto the uphill path (known as Fosse Way or the Roman Road). Cross the road and continue straight ahead on the path. At the fork, turn left onto the road. At the bend in the road, continue straight ahead onto the dirt track.

10. Take the second signposted footpath on your right (look out for it!). Cross the wooden plank over the stream and over the stile. Continue straight ahead between the horse paddocks and cross over the stile and then the wooden plank. Veer right and follow the dirt road.

11. When the road bends left, leave the road and follow the fence on your left, continuing round the paddock. At the brick wall, turn right and follow the man-made path through woodland. Go through the gate, turn right and go round the barn to the car park and the road.

12. Follow the road, and at the footpath sign, turn right and go through the gate into the field. Continue straight ahead keeping the fence to your left. Go through the gate and continue straight ahead.

13. Go through the gate and turn left keeping the field boundary to your left and walking round the field to the stile (look out for it, it’s hidden in the hedge!). Cross over the stile, the road and the next stile into the following field.

14. Cross the field diagonally to the far corner. Cross over the stone stile and continue straight ahead onto the country road. Follow the road, veering right twice and then uphill onto Noble Street and High Street.

Download the walk itinerary PDFSherston to Easton Grey walk by adragonsescape.com

Find the walk map and download the GPX fileSherston to Easton Grey walk on outdooractive.com

Sherston to Easton Grey walk details

Location: Sherston, Wiltshire

Walk difficulty: Intermediate

Time: Approximately 3 to 3 ½ hours with regular stops

Distance: Approximately 7 miles (11 km)

Ascent: Gentle

Trail condition: Good, but the trail can get muddy in wet weather

Accessibility: Not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or bikes

Parking: Streets of Sherston (SN16 0LR)

Facilities: Toilets, shops and pubs in Sherston

Notes: Please be mindful of livestock and keep your dogs on a lead. Please beware of oncoming vehicles when walking on roads.

Explore more: Walks in the Cotswolds

One of the best ways to explore the Cotswolds is on foot. From rolling hills to enchanting valleys, captivating woodland and picturesque villages, the Cotswolds offer beautiful walks and spectacular scenery. Find your next walk with the Cotswold walk guides:

Glimmering River Avon on the Malmesbury walk
River Avon near Malmesbury

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