Little Compton and the Rollright Stones
Ordnance Survey Explorer map (1:25,000):
OL45: Cotswolds
Length: 9.7km (6 miles).
Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours.
Parking: layby off A44
Start: Little Compton
Cafe:
Cotswolds Cafe, A44, 01608 67 47 29
Public Houses:
Red Lion, Little Compton: 01608 67 43 97
Keeping to the High Ground
The main aim in creating this walk was to design a route that remained on high ground as much as possible to take advantage of the beautiful vistas that the Cotswolds has to offer and, though I say so myself, I pretty much achieved that aim.
Except for the initial ascent out of Little Compton and the final decent back into the village, the path, following a more-or-less horse-shoe shape, follows the ridge line to the east of the village and around the head of the valley where the Little Compton Brook starts its brief life before flowing into the River Evenlode.
Tea or a Pint?
Parking is difficult in Little Compton, but there is a large layby off the A44 with an information board. This is where I parked.
If you are doing your walk during the week and like to support local businesses, I would suggest you start with a hearty breakfast or lunch at the Cotswolds Café before the start of your walk. The café is open between 8:30am and 2:00pm (Monday to Friday). The other venue for refreshments is the Red Lion in Little Compton. This is a Donnington Brewery pub. The brewery is a local Cotswolds brewery, based near Stow-on-the-Wold, and it does brew a very good pint.
Beware Strangers Giving Directions
All in all, I was pleased with this walk. It offered the views I was looking for and since it largely follows the contours is not at all onerous to walk.
An elderly couple I met on my travels described it as one of their favourite walks and I can see why. The old gentleman did however inadvertently lead me astray when he gave me some directions which I misinterpreted. The result was an additional 2 km to my walk, as I missed the turning onto a path I intended to follow and had to back-track. However, it was a glorious day and so I did not begrudge the extra time and the effort. As an aside, the route which I unintentionally followed is one which offers a shorter version of this route. However, if you take the short cut then you will miss out on wonderful views across the Nethercote Brook Valley and the Cotswolds villages of Barton-on-the-Heath and Long Compton.
All the King’s Men
Although not part of the walk you should take the opportunity to visit the Rollright Stones which are nearby.
The stone ring was also used as a location for The Stones of Blood.
This Scheduled Monument consists of three groups of stones: the stone circle (known as the King's Men), a burial chamber (the Whispering Knights) and a single Stone (the King Stone). As a group they span nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age development. Tradition has it the stones were a monarch and his courtiers that were turned into stone by a witch.
Parking is available in a lay-by on the road that passes by the stones.
For more details visit the excellent website dedicated to the site: www.rollrightstones.co.uk.
What’s in a Name?
The name Compton is believed to derive from Old English cumb meaning a short valley and tun meaning enclosure or settlement. The name suits the village perfectly, with it being nestled near the head of the small valley. The “Little” prefix distinguishes it from the neighbouring village of Long Compton.
The manor in Little Compton (now the Reed Business School) was used as a location for the 1978 Dr Who series The Stones of Blood staring Tom Baker as Dr Who and Mary Tamm as Romana.