Stanton

Called in at Cotswold Food Store and Cafe for scone and coffee. Nice place but expensive, as expensive as Betty’s was in Harlow Carr and although pleasant, nothing to trouble the scorers.

This was a prelude to a long walk of over 9 miles starting from Stanway through Stanton, along the Cotswold Edge to Snowshill and back to Stanway.

As we entered Stanway we noticed a sign saying that the water mill was open, so that was our first port of call. The miller explained the process then opened the sluices to allow the wheel to turn and grind the corn. Fascinating, we bought a couple of bags of flour to add to the one bought earlier in the week in Broadway. Good to see the place where the flour was milled.

First stop from Stanway was Stanton, billed as the prettiest and most unspoilt of Cotswold villages with neither gift shop or antique shop in sight but it does have a pub. I’d certainly agree that the village was certainly very attractive.

From Stanton we climbed the scarp slope to the top of the ridge and has a most enjoyable walk along the edge with more glorious views to the west over the Vale of Evesham, the Malverns and the hills of mid Wales.

The walk continued in solitude with the exception of fellow walkers skirting Snowshill eventually returning to Stanway to complete a fine day.