Section 10 of 10, Shakespeare's Avon Way
Defford to Tewkesbury
7.6 miles (12.3 km). About 2½ hours, moderate.
Start: SO 916 424. Finish: SO 890 325. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
Almost flat: about 34 m of climbing and 33 m of descent; highest point 24 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Defford.
- Bus stops
- Harpley Road, 360 m from the start. Directions SO 913 426Woodmancote Turn, 400 m from the start. Directions SO 913 427The Paddock, 890 m from the start. Directions SO 907 425
- Car parks
- Eckington Bridge, 620 m from the start. Directions SO 922 422Car park, 820 m from the start. Directions SO 921 417
Getting back
The section finishes at Tewkesbury. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- The Crescent, 130 m from the finish. Directions SO 891 325The Cross, 350 m from the finish. Directions SO 893 326
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 28%, grass 24%, gravel and tracks 12%; the rest (35%) isn't recorded.
About 26% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 stile, 10 kissing gates, 8 gates, 1 flight of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 12 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Flybridge, Defford: at the start.Fleet Inn, Twyning Green: 4.7 miles in. Seats outside.Ye Olde Black Bear, Tewkesbury: 7 miles in. Seats outside.The Anchor, Tewkesbury: 7.1 miles in.The Britannia Inn, Tewkesbury: 7.2 miles in.The Royal Hop Pole, Tewkesbury: at the finish.The Village Inn, Twyning Green: 4.5 miles in, about 200 m off the way.Inferno Brewery, Tewkesbury: 7 miles in, about 200 m off the way.The Albion, Tewkesbury: 7.1 miles in, about 200 m off the way.Nottingham Arms, Tewkesbury: 7.2 miles in, about 150 m off the way.And 3 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Cafés
- Melanie's, Tewkesbury: 7.1 miles in.Coffee#1, Tewkesbury: 7.2 miles in.Riverside Cafe, Tewkesbury: 7.4 miles in. Seats outside.Crumpets, Tewkesbury: at the finish.The Hide Coffee And Tea House, Tewkesbury: at the finish.Caffè e Vino, Tewkesbury: at the finish.The Abbey Tea Rooms, Tewkesbury: at the finish.Touching Souls Tea Room, Tewkesbury: at the finish. Seats outside, step-free.Maisie’s Courtyard Cafe, Tewkesbury: 7.1 miles in, about 200 m off the way. Dogs welcome, seats outside.Costa, Tewkesbury: 7.1 miles in, about 150 m off the way.And 6 more within a quarter of a mile.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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