SNOWSHILL is an attractive village clinging to a steep hillside near Broadway.

Though well worth a visit in its own right, it is best known for Snowshill Manor, which a national newspaper described as "one of the weirdest houses in England".

You don't have to visit Snowshill Manor to enjoy this walk. There are other lovely buildings, too, such as Middle Hill House. The first part of the walk uses the Cotswold Way, which is currently being upgraded to National Trail standard. This means new signposts and waymarks, and stiles replaced by gates in many cases, making the route easier.

If you do visit Snowshill Manor, you'll add three-quarters of a mile to the walk. Though the manor itself is in the village, access to it is further away, to minimise inconvenience to the villagers. It does attract huge crowds, so now is the time to go, before the summer season starts.

DIRECTIONS

n Leave Broadway on Church Street, which is also part of the Cotswold Way. After passing the church, the Cotswold Way leaves the road on the right. Follow it for a little over two miles.

After a long, straight section on a track you'll come to a junction marked not by the new wooden signs, but by the old green metal ones. Turn left, still on the track. A few metres further on, the Cotswold Way turns right towards Shenberrow Farm. Don't follow it; stay on the track instead.

Take a path on the left after 400m. Walk through Littleworth Wood, staying on the main path. When it bifurcates, keep straight on, soon leaving the wood. Go diagonally down a field to a gate to a lane.

Turn right, and then left at two road junctions, into Snowshill. Turn left again, past St Barnabas' Church, the Snowshill Arms and a row of lovely cottages. Snowshill Manor is on the left, but there is no public access to it at this point.

When you reach a junction, keep straight on if you intend to visit the manor (just follow the signs). Otherwise, turn right now, towards Chipping Campden and Bourton-on-the-Water, then turn left at the next junction, towards Broadway Tower, Chipping Campden and Snowshill Lavender.

Take a footpath on the left after 350m - it's just after a stable (on your right), by the first of the lavender fields. Walk beside a stone wall until you can turn right on a bridleway which follows the edge of Broadway Wood to a lane.

Turn left, and left again at the next two junctions. Then take the second footpath on the left, which leaves the lane 300m after the entrance to Heath Farm. The waymarked, well-trodden path is easily followed, except at a cross-path which lacks a waymark - keep straight on here.

The path is obvious again from this point, soon turning right to pass Middle Hill House, and then more houses at Knap Bank. Keep straight on at a junction, signed to The Ledges.

Entering a field by a bungalow, take the path which runs across to the far side of the field, towards Broadway, which is now visible. You'll find a choice of three paths at the next junction - go straight on initially, through a gate into a field, then go diagonally left.

The path may seem unclear at first, but head towards a hawthorn tree, and then to a large beech tree, with newly planted trees (Millennium Wood) on your left.

Go diagonally left in the next field to a junction at a hedge corner. Take the right-hand path, across the field to the far left corner. Follow a short line of hawthorn trees to a gatepost and rejoin the Cotswold Way for the last 500 metres into Broadway.

Start: High Street, Broadway, grid ref SO 095375.

Length: 8 miles/13km.

Maps: OS Explorer OL45, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: Pasture and woodland; moderately hilly.

Footpaths: Excellent.

Stiles: 4.

Parking: Broadway.

Public transport: Train or bus to Evesham then Castleways 559 to Broadway, or train to Moreton then Johnson's 21/22 to Broadway, Mon-Sat only; Traveline 0870 608 2608 or www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/travel or www.traveline.org.uk

Refreshments: Broadway and Snowshill; in addition, drinks and home-made cakes are available at Manor Farm.

NB: Snowshill Manor is open 12-5 Wed-Sun (garden open from 11); more info on 01386 852410.