9 of us gathered on Friday at the Cleeve Hill Hotel just after midday for welcome tea and cake before setting off on our afternoon walk.

We walked up the path by the side of the hotel onto Cleeve Common and the Cotswold Way.

Our route took us across towards Woodmancote along the side of the escarpment with great views into the valley.

Although a little misty we got a good picture of the area.

We stopped for some water and a discussion on the names of some of the plants.

Our path then took us round Nottingham Hill and over an unusual stile.

On our return to Cleeve Common we stopped at the local golf club for a cup of tea before completing our walk back along the Cotswold Way to the hotel (1598).

Our hotel, although temporarily clad in scaffolding at the back provided a wonderfully comfortable spot to stay with great views from the front and a garden gate which lead out on the Cotswold Way.

After a rest at the hotel, and having met up with the other 2 women in our group, we walked down the Cotswold Way in beautiful evening sunshine for drinks and dinner at the Rising Sun.

Service was a bit slow so we were glad to finish eating and head home for the night.

On Saturday morning we set off to the south, again on the Way, for our walk over Cleeve Common.

The views were wonderful and we had the perfect view of Cheltenham Racecourse.

We crossed the Common and walked onto the path to Belas Knap.

Belas Knap is a 5000 year old Neolithic burial chamber which, when first excavated, was found to contain the remains of 30 bodies. This news caused much discussion.

We had a break and read the information on the site before setting off through the woods towards Winchcombe.

Our lunch stop at the top of the hill gave us a fine view across the gentle hills of Sudeley Castle.

Our path took us through fields of sheep and their lambs and back onto Cleeve Common for the last miles home.

Back at the Hotel some went for showers and a rest while 8 of us drove to Beckford, a small village in the Vale of Evesham, where we visited a silk factory.

This small business makes beautiful silkscreened scarves where visitors can watch the process of printing and have a very good cup of tea with cake!

While 2 of the group stayed in the village and ended up in one of the villagers gardens chatting, 6 of us walked up Bredon Hill giving us fantastic views into the valley.

As we turned down the path into a field we spotted a herd of deer sitting in the evening sunshine.

They were shy and even though we walked as quietly as possible by the fence the deer moved off into the woods.

We walked down through the most breathtaking bluebell wood - it was magical in the evening sun.

We headed back into the village and home for a quick shower before gathering for a drink in the lounge of the hotel.

Zoe and Kathy gave us a great demo of ceroc dancing before we headed off for supper.

Another lovely morning on Sunday with a good breakfast before check out.

We drove into Winchcombe and all set off on our walk - along another section of the Cotswold Way.

At one point the Toddington Steam train whistled past.

Our path then took us to Hailes Abbey - the remains of a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1246 by Richard, brother of Henry III. We stopped for ice creams and coffee here.

We then headed off for Farmcote where 3 of the group turned down to Winchcombe and an earlier departure.

We walked through gentle, rolling countryside passing lovely Cotswold stone houses and gardens before a quick lunch break and the walk back through the fields.

Our path took us past Sudeley Castle and back into the village for a final cup of tea before heading home.

A lovely weekend with a fun group!