Newark Park Purple Trail

The Purple Trail sets out from the hamlet of Ozleworth, tucked into one of the quieter folds of the Cotswold escarpment in southern Gloucestershire. From the start the route climbs steadily, gaining over 200 metres across just a few kilometres, so expect to warm up quickly as you leave the valley floor behind.

The path passes a folly perched on the higher ground, then drops into Muscovy Bottom, a classic Cotswold combe where sheltered woodland gives way to open pasture. Along the way you are close to Clay's Wood and Barnhill Covert, while the Ozleworth Brook threads through the valley below. Higher up on the ridge, Blackquarries Hill Long Barrow marks the presence of much older inhabitants of these hills.

Although described as linear, the trail returns you to Ozleworth to finish, making it a satisfying loop of contrasts between wooded slopes, quiet lanes and open Cotswold views. Allow around an hour and a quarter at a steady pace, and a little longer if you want to pause and take in the scenery.