May has arrived, and with it comes National Walking Month. Here at Jigsaw, were big fans of taking the time to enjoy walking along some of the best trails in the UK. Our Dorset and Cotswold properties offer excellent starting points for countryside walks, making them ideal places to stay if youre looking to explore the most beautiful landscapes in Britain. With a selection of dog-friendly cottages too, both in the Cotswolds and Dorset, you can bring your pooch along to join in the fun with you. We're sure you'll agree that spending National Walking Month in Dorset or the Cotswolds, is one of the bestlocations for making the most of this beautiful time of year.
Spring walks in the Cotswolds
Cotswold Way Circular Walk - Chipping Campden (approx. 4.5 miles) Chipping Campden is one of the Cotswolds most popular towns, and this short walk offers the chance to explore the town. Starting at the top of the main high street, there are some wonderful places to enjoy a drink or some food to fuel you up before you begin. The route takes you through the main part of the town, before moving to Dovers Hill and The Lynches Wood, before looping back round into the town. This short walk offers some pretty sights, and is ideal for kicking off your Cotswolds weekend. Map and further info via National Trail Where to stay: Located directly on the high street, a stay at Singer House means you can begin your journey right from your doorstep. It sleeps up to 6 so theres plenty of space for the whole family, and dogs are welcome too! Cranham, Coopers and the Beechwoods (approx. 4 miles) The Beechwoods offers one of the best places to explore the Cotswolds, making it a popular destination for walkers. Beginning in Cranham, this route will take you through Buckholt Wood, and up to Coopers Hill, which is where the Cotswolds hosts its annual and famous cheese rolling event. During May, you can expect to see carpets of bluebells along the route, making it a great time to venture on this short, but worthwhile walk. Map and further info via National Trail Where to stay: Mill Bank House in Bibury is around 30 minutes by car to Cranham, giving you easy access to this popular trail. The property sleeps up to 10, with plenty of garden space to enjoy during the spring months, and Bibury itself has plenty of delights to enjoy. Wold to Water (approx. 6 miles/12 round trip) This walk combines both a visit to Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water - two of the most popular towns in the Cotswolds. Beginning in Stow, youll get to see the various features of this historic town before passing greener landscapes en route to Bourton-on-the-Water. Offering excellent views during the springtime, this is a walk you can take at your own pace and allows wonderful views of the River Dikler and River Eye. Ending at Bourton-on-the-Water, you can enjoy a spot of lunch in one of the towns recommended pubs before circling back to Stow-on-the-Wold. Map and further info via Cotswolds AONB Where to stay: Carters Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold is the ideal place to begin your Wold to Water walk. Peaceful and chic, the cottage has a lovely fireplace and spacious bedrooms, offering plenty of rest after your day of walking. It sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs at an additional cost.
National Walking Month In Dorset - Spring walks in Dorset
Studland Beach and sand dunes (approx. 1 mile) This is a great, easy walk for families, particularly those with small children. Beginning at Knoll beach, near the BBQ area, youll see a number of interesting sights along the way including wooden seahorses and sand lizards, Old Harry Rocks, Purbeck Hills and more as you make your way towards the sand dunes. Its a great walk for clearing the cobwebs during your Dorset stay. Map and further info via National Trust Where to stay: Cornwall Cottage in Swanage is a fantastic property for enjoying National Walking Month in Dorset. Not only is it dog friendly, but it sleeps up to 8 which makes it ideal for families or friends joining together for a week to remember. If you want to add in a few more miles, you can start from the property itself, with a journey of approximately 4 miles to get to Studland Beach. Hod Hill (approx. 1 mile or 7 from Winterborne Stickland) The highest hill in Dorset, Hod Hill offers some excellent views of the countryside and is a very popular destination during National Walking Month in Dorset. You will see plenty of wildlife as well as spectacular butterflies which always makes this route popular with younger walkers. Its possible to complete a full circle of Hod Hill in around an hour, and is a gentle walk that wont leave you exhausted afterwards! Remember to keep dogs on leads, particularly when livestock are around. Map and further info via National Trust. Where to stay: The Old Rectory is a magnificent property which is ideal for spring getaways. It sleeps up to 12 and has a swimming pool, BBQ, and a gorgeous sun room which is ideal for family dining. You can begin your walk to Hod Hill from the property to help you truly build up an appetite by the time youve finished an ideal way to spend the afternoon in Dorset. The Corfe Common Circular (approx. 11 miles, or 1.5 miles if driving to Corfe first) This is a longer walk that will take you from Swanage through to Corfe Castle and back to Swanage. It's one of the best ways to spend National Walking Month in Dorset for those who really want to build up some miles and enjoy longer walks. Alternatively, you could drive to Corfe Castle and complete the walk from there, a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. Corfe Castle was destroyed during the English Civil War, but there is plenty to see that tells the tale of its former glory, whilst Corfe Common is the largest common area in Dorset. There is a lot of history to discover and some spectacular sights too. Map and further info via National Trust Where to stay: The Old Mill House is a chic and cosy property that sleeps up to 8. Located in Swanage, it is the ideal property for setting off on many of Dorsets most popular spring walks and therefore ideal for the Corfe Common Circular. There are large spaces for relaxing and dining outdoors, which are ideal for soaking up the spring sunshine. The location of our Jigsaw properties makes them ideal for those looking to explore the British countryside this spring, as well as take in some of the countrys most spectacular views. For National Walking Month in Dorset and the Cotswolds, youll find no shortage of routes to suit all abilities, whilst dogs will be happy to tag along too. Take a look at our full selection of self-catering properties in Dorset and the Cotswolds and book your spring walking break today.