Macmillan Way

The Macmillan Way is a 470km coast to coast long distance path that 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, so most walkers will complete it in stages at seperate times or maybe only ever intend to walk a part of the route that particulary interests them. If you do intend to walk all or a significant section of the Way then please arrange sponsors to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief. You can obtain more information at www.macmillanway.org

The guidebook describes the route in nine chapters, although each would have to be split into several day walks for a practical itinerary. The chapters are as follows:
Boston to Obthorpe - 30 miles
Obthorpe to Oakham - 25 miles
Oakham to Flore - 43 miles
Flore to Warmington - 22 miles
Warmington to Maugersbury - 24 miles
Maugersbury to Stow-on-the-Wold - 26 miles
Stow-on-the-Wold to Bradford-on-Avon - 37 miles
Bradford-on-Avon to Bruton - 32 miles
Bruton to abbotsbury - 51 miles

There is an accommodation guide available to assist in planning stop-overs along the way.

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