Cycling World Magazine June 2017 | Page 113

June 2017 | 113

and the church in Kingscote as it was the church in which Edward Jenner married Catherine Kingscote in 1788 .

Bringing you right up to date , Berkeley is also home to the new £ 30 million Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park , due to open in September 2017 and built on the site of the former Berkeley nuclear power station . Its state-of the art buildings and learning facilities will offer a world-class centre for science , technology , engineering and mathematics training opportunities for young people and adults , including green technologies and manufacturing .

Day 3 : Berkeley to Painswick

Day 1 : Stroud to Nailsworth

The first day allows time to get to the starting �oint . You can travel by train to Stroud from all parts of the country , including direct from London . Take in some of this lively town ’ s attractions such as its bustling , award-winning Farmers ’ Market every Saturday morning and the eclectic mix of items on sale in the nearby Shambles �arket , reflecting Stroud ’ s bohemian vibe . These attractions , plus its reputation as a centre for contemporary arts , have earned Stroud the title of ‘ Covent Garden of the Cotswolds ’. The short , easy cycling route between the town of Stroud and Nailsworth is mainly along the cycle path formed from the old Stroud to Nailsworth railway line . It gives you the opportunity to ride the first of Stroud ’ s �ive �alleys , home to working water wheels and a rich wool and milling heritage . Nailsworth itself is a treat of a town and a shopper and foodie ’ s delight , with a wide range of independent craft and clothes retailers , restaurants and food shops including Hobbs House Bakery and food emporium William ’ s Kitchen . You could even detour to the mysterious and haunted Victorian gothic revival , Woodchester Mansion .

Day 2 : Nailsworth to Berkeley

This route starts by following the A46 uphill but then largely follows �uiet , unclassified lanes , leading you into the Severn Vale . It takes you past miles of Cotswold dry stone walls and through quiet Cotswold villages . Popular resting places would be the coaching inn Hunters Hall in Kingscote , the cider-specialist New Inn at Waterley Bottoms or one of the many cafés , pubs and shops in the small town of Wotton-under-Edge . For those who wish to enjoy a short detour , possibilities include visits to the National Trust property , Newark Park , with its stunning dis�lay of s�ring flowers� the beautiful wooded valley of Owlpen , housing the Tudor Owlpen Manor ; or , cyclists could take advantage of the opportunity to explore the new treetop walkway at Westonbirt Arboretum .

�ay two ’ s final destination is the market town of Berkeley with its centre-piece of the 12 th century Berkeley Castle – the oldest inhabited castle in England and the place where Edward II was brutally murdered in 1327 . Berkeley is also home to the Edward Jenner Museum , celebrating Dr Jenner ’ s pioneering work to produce the smallpox vaccine in the 1790 ’ s . There is a strong link between Berkeley

Two-thirds of this day ’ s ride is along the Severn Vale and is therefore an easy route along quiet country lanes , while the last third is more strenuous as cyclists ascend the Cotswold escarpment . Ride alongside the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal , taking a peek at the Purton boat graveyard , the final resting �lace for old barges , or catching your breath on what is arguably the ‘ longest green in England ’ at �ram�ton on Severn . Haresfield �eacon incorporates a variety of woodlands and grassland areas high on the Cotswold scar� and offers a great vantage point to appreciate the surrounding landscape . For nature and wildlife lovers this is also an opportunity to pay a visit to Gloucestershire ’ s Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge , enjoying simple pleasures such as feeding ducks , watching flamingos and otters and taking advantage of great photo opportunities .

After the Cotswold Escarpment climb , the next destination of Painswick is reached . This historic wool town deserves its title of ‘ Queen of the Cotswolds ’ as one of the area ’ s most well preserved Cotswold settlements , on the half way point of the Cotswold Way : the 100-mile walking route stretching from Chipping Campden to Bath . Painswick is a great place for an overnight stop and is home to two ‘ oldest ’ claims , including the oldest building in England and the oldest bowling green in England . The parish church , with its 99 immaculately kept yew trees , is also well worth a visit .

Day 4 : Painswick to Winchcombe

This represents one of the more strenuous legs of the cycle route with steep climbs and descents taking you mainly along quiet lanes through the rolling Cotswold hills and allowing you to capture the essence of the Cotswold countryside . Colesbourne Park is wonderful in snowdrop season and the route passes near two Roman Villa sites in Great Witcombe and in Chedworth . If you feel the urge to visit a more urban area , you could detour to the Regency Cheltenham with its regal air , great sho��ing and dining . Cheltenham is the final destination of the seventh leg of the Tour of Britain 2017 .

Sudeley Castle , set in a 1,200-acre estate and award-winning gardens , celebrates an annual Victorian May Day and visitors can also view the tomb of Catherine Parr , the sixth wife of Henry VIII , in the estate church . Winchcombe , with its