Things to do
around Avening

Avening sits in a fold of the Cotswold hills between Tetbury and Nailsworth, a working village of stone cottages and steep lanes rather than a place laid on for visitors — which is much of its appeal. Within about two miles you'll find eight places to eat and drink, seven things to see and visit, a couple of shops, somewhere to stay and a spot for a round of golf, so it works equally well as a half-day stop or a base for longer wandering. The surrounding commons and valleys are good walking country, and the lanes reward slow driving.

A good few hours might start with a walk out to The Tingle Stone or Norns Tump, whose names alone hint at how long people have been living on this stretch of hillside, then a loop back past the edges of Gatcombe Park. Golfers can make an afternoon of it at Minchinhampton Golf Course, high on the common with long views in most directions. Round things off with a drink and a proper meal at the Queen Matilda, or pitch up for the night at Tobacconist Farm Campsite.