- On trail 5.5 mi 8.9 km
- Walking time 2–3 h
- Ascent 200 m 650 ft
- Descent 210 m 700 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
A steep climb, Beckbury Camp, then Hailes Abbey into Winchcombe.
Section 3: Wood Stanway to Winchcombe map
Cross-check: National Trails route description . Opened 22 October 2026. The distance at the top of this page is measured on the imported line. The route page's miles, and the climb it prints for the section, stay in the answers below.
The walk
The climb out of the hamlet is steep, back onto the escarpment, with the Vale of Evesham and the Malverns to the west. Beckbury Camp is the Iron Age fort along the top. The path then drops to Hailes, the ruined abbey and the little church, and Puckpit Lane brings you into Winchcombe. On the 5-day that town is the first night. On the longer plans it is lunch, before the climb to Cleeve Hill.
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Start of section
Wood Stanway
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The climb
Steep, and straight back onto the edge. The view is the Vale of Evesham and the Malverns. Beckbury Camp is the fort once you are up.
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The valley
Hailes Abbey
The ruin and the little church sit on the drop, before the town. It is the quiet part of the section, after the escarpment.
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Winchcombe
Puckpit Lane is the way in. The 5-day sleeps here. The longer plans eat here and leave the climb to Cleeve Hill for the next day.
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End of section
Winchcombe
Section 3: Wood Stanway to Winchcombe overview
The ground
- Steep climb
- Hill fort
- Abbey
A steep climb back to the escarpment, then a drop to the abbey and the town. The bigger climb is the next section, from Winchcombe up to Cleeve Hill. This one is the pull out of the hamlet and the abbey in the valley.
Stops
Refreshments
- Winchcombe at the end. Eat there. The hamlet at the start is small
Toilets
- The route page does not name a public toilet on this section
Before you go
Opposite direction
Winchcombe to Wood Stanway
You leave Winchcombe along Puckpit Lane and pass Hailes Abbey. The climb is up to Beckbury Camp, and the steep ground is the drop off the escarpment into Wood Stanway.
End of section
Wood Stanway
Wood Stanway to Winchcombe FAQ
How long is Wood Stanway to Winchcombe?
The route page lists 5.4 miles (8.8 km), with 564 feet (172 m) of ascent and 679 feet (207 m) of descent. The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends.
Is Winchcombe a night?
On the 5-day, yes. It is the first night, and Cleeve Hill is still ahead. On the 7-day, the 8-day and the 9-day, Winchcombe is lunch and the night is Cleeve Hill. The 4-day walks through the town on the way to that high ground.
Can I download a GPX for Wood Stanway to Winchcombe?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Walked on the 9-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 9-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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