IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Huntsmans Causeway, LECHLADE, GL7 3GE

Luxury lakeside houses in the "Lakes by Yoo" complex just outside Lechlade. Privately owned millionaires' first and second homes designed by Philippe Starck. Some are available as holiday lets for around £2500 per week. Security is ferocious, with a security gate at the main entrance complete with security guard, and security cameras and "keep out" signs dotted round the perimeter. Public footpaths which used to go through the complex were "temporarily" closed in 2008, but the closure has been updated ever since and has been extended until 24th July 2014. A footbridge carrying a footpath across a drain that runs alongside the boundary has even been dismantled to deter the hoi polloi from entering.

A look back along the access road known as Huntsman's Causeway. Here there are waterfront houses on both sides. After leaving Lechlade, the route joins the long distance Thames and Severn Way and passes the southern edge of Bowmoor Lake. Turning north, and looping around the northern edge of the lake, the Thames and Severn Way is re-joined and followed to the banks of the River Thames and back to Lechlade. Slightly over 5 miles.

An estate road serving newly developed lakeside housing is also a public footpath.

A view across Huntsman's Lake from Huntsman's Causeway. After leaving Lechlade, the route joins the long distance Thames and Severn Way and passes the southern edge of Bowmoor Lake. Turning north, and looping around the northern edge of the lake, the Thames and Severn Way is re-joined and followed to the banks of the River Thames and back to Lechlade. Slightly over 5 miles.

A look back along Huntsman's Causeway, a public footpath, towards the junction of tracks. After leaving Lechlade, the route joins the long distance Thames and Severn Way and passes the southern edge of Bowmoor Lake. Turning north, and looping around the northern edge of the lake, the Thames and Severn Way is re-joined and followed to the banks of the River Thames and back to Lechlade. Slightly over 5 miles.

Several tracks meet at this point where the route along Huntsman's Causeway rejoins the Thames and Severn Way long distance path. After leaving Lechlade, the route joins the long distance Thames and Severn Way and passes the southern edge of Bowmoor Lake. Turning north, and looping around the northern edge of the lake, the Thames and Severn Way is re-joined and followed to the banks of the River Thames and back to Lechlade. Slightly over 5 miles.

Stone-built arched bridge over a tributary to the River Coln near Lechlade.

Roundhouse Lake Nature Reserve is part of the Cotswold Water Park. http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/reserves/roundhouse-lake It consists of a large flooded gravel working which has been restored and carefully managed. There is a hide from which birdwatchers can watch for goldeneye, wigeon, red-crested pochard, tufted duck, and great crested and little grebes. Otters also visit the lake. It is accessible via a wide muddy track, though there is no car parking nearby; note the cycle park beside the gate.

At this junction of the access roads, the route leaves Bowmoor Reach and starts to run along Huntsman's Causeway between Bowmoor Lake and Huntsman's Lake. After leaving Lechlade, the route joins the long distance Thames and Severn Way and passes the southern edge of Bowmoor Lake. Turning north, and looping around the northern edge of the lake, the Thames and Severn Way is re-joined and followed to the banks of the River Thames and back to Lechlade. Slightly over 5 miles.

Another picture of this newly landscaped parkland area.