Macmillan Way

Location: Lincolnshire; Leicestershire; Northamptonshire; Oxfordshire; Warwickshire; Wiltshire; Somerset; Dorset

OS Maps: Explorer 261,249,248,234,227,224,207,206, 191,168,156,142,129,117; Outdoor Leisure 45,15

This 470km coast to coast long distance path has been developed to increase public awareness of Macmillan Cancer Relief and to assist in raising funds for this charitable organisation. The trail first crosses the Lincolnshire Fens and then follows, as near as possible, the course of the long oolitic limestone belt which comprises stone known as 'Cotswold' in the Cotswold area, but which runs in slightly varying forms all the way from South Yorkshire to Dorset. The Macmillan Way starts from Boston and then runs across the Fens to their western edge at Kate's Bridge near Bourne before joining the limestone belt. From here it runs to Stamford and then along the shore of Rutland Water to Oakham. It then heads south and west via Warmington to Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds. Then follows a glorious section through the Cotswold Hills via Cirencester and Tetbury to Bradford-on-Avon. Then through Somerset and into Dorset via Castle Carey and Sherborne to Abbotsbury, a coastal village noted for its lovely old limestone buildings.

Tackling this walk in its entirety would be a major undertaking, but you can, of course, sample parts convenient to your circumstances.

Guide Book:

Macmillan Way by The Macmillan Way Association This guide is nicely produced and has route details and corresponding sketch maps on each double page, thus being designed to fit into double sided transparent map cases for ease of use. We would recommend this route and the guide, not just because of the joy of walking the Way, but because by doing so you are helping a very worthy cause. [Click for further information or to purchase]