Explore
The Cotswolds on your doorstep
An ideal base for exploring
The Cotswolds is one of the most quintessentially English and unspoiled regions of the country, and Number Four is an ideal base to explore it.
The area is known for its gentle hillsides ('wolds'), river valleys, water meadows and beech woods, sleepy limestone villages and historic market towns, where time has stood still for over 300 years.
Number Four sits on the midpoint of the Roman Fosse Way, which runs from Lincoln to Exeter right through the middle of the Cotswolds.
On foot
Routes on public footpaths, bridleways and green lanes, each with a map. The first five start right at our front door.
From the door
Walk OneInto Town the Country Way
Our own front door to the Square, without touching the main road.
3.2 miles · circular
Walk TwoLunch at Lower Swell
Field paths and green lanes down to a village pub, and the same lovely way home.
3.5 miles · there and back
Walk ThreeThe Swells & Donnington
The big westerly circuit: two Swells, a brewery, and back over the hill.
8.7 miles · circular
Walk FourThe Oddingtons & Broadwell
The big easterly circuit, past a church with a medieval Doom painting.
8.8 miles · circular
Walk FiveStow to Bourton-on-the-Water
One way across country to the Windrush, and a lift or a bus home.
6.4 miles · one way
A short drive
Park at the start, usually 10–20 minutes away.
Bourton & Wyck Rissington4.4 miThe Rissington Round3.8 miGreat Rissington & the Windrush5.4 miKingham & Churchill5.6 miThe Kingham Station Circular9.2 miThe Slaughters & the River Eye5.6 miThe Barringtons to Burford6.0 miGuiting Power & Castlett4.2 miWorth the drive
Further afield, for a proper day out.
Stanton, Snowshill & the Edge9.0 miVillages of the Windrush Valley3.3 miThe Cleeve Hill Common Ring7.6 miCranham, Cooper's Hill & the Beechwoods4.3 miOn two wheels
Quiet lanes from the hotel — a gentle half day to a proper day out.
Cycle OneThe Slaughters & Bourton Loop
A gentle half day on lanes, taking in the best-known villages before the crowds.
16.7 miles · circular
Cycle TwoThe Evenlode & the Wychwoods
East into Oxfordshire on some of the quietest lanes in the region.
17.4 miles · circular
Cycle ThreeBlockley, Batsford & the Northern Wolds
A proper day out: the northern escarpment villages and the long way home.
29.7 miles · circular
By car
Scenic circuits that favour lanes over A-roads, with places to stop along the way.
Drive OneThe Slaughters, Bourton & the Rissingtons
Half a day, almost none of it on an A-road. The best short drive from the door.
18.0 miles · circular
Drive TwoThe North Cotswolds
A full day: Campden, Broadway, Snowshill and the high escarpment home.
48.5 miles · circular
Drive ThreeThe Windrush Valley & Burford
South through the wool towns to Bibury, then home up the Windrush.
39.8 miles · circular
Drive FourWinchcombe, Sudeley & the Escarpment
A castle, a neolithic long barrow and the biggest view in Gloucestershire.
48.9 miles · circular
Drive FiveBlenheim Palace & the Wychwoods
One very great house, and a string of small villages on the way home.
47.8 miles · circular
Drive SixThe Clarkson Run
A brewery, a farm shop and a pub — in that order, if someone else is driving.
44.2 miles · circular
Favourite Towns & Sights
Approximate road miles from the hotel.
Local taxis & private hire
Taxi services in this rural area are limited and there is no taxi rank in the town, so it's best to contact a driver directly and in good time, especially outside regular hours. Here are some local numbers.
- Cliff's Taxis07795 936743
- Station Taxis07432 019472
- Edwin – Stow Cars07946 525039
- Tariq's Taxis07565 521833
- Jay – Cotswold Taxi07554 424793
- TA Taxi Services07720 572420
- Andy's Taxi07399 722777
- Mark's Taxis07895 028448
Things to do nearby
Towns, villages and attractions around Stow, nearest first. Distances are road miles from the hotel.
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Opening times and prices were checked in September 2026 and will drift — do call ahead for anywhere with a special journey riding on it.
Close at hand
Health
North Cotswold Hospital, Moreton-in-Marsh (4.8 mi)
Badham Pharmacy, Stow (1.2 mi)
Transport
Moreton-in-Marsh station (5.4 mi)
Kingham station (7.3 mi)
801 bus, nearest stop in Stow (0.9 mi)
Cash & fuel
Barclays & Lloyds, Stow (1.1–1.2 mi)
BP garage with 24hr cash point (0.7 mi)