Giro Panoramico
The driving element of Cotswold Alfa Day has delevoped in to what we now call “Giro Panoramico” and is a gentle guided route through the beautiful Cotswolds scenery.
Up to and including 2011 all the routes were devised by Richard Morris and due to overwhelming demand for copies we are now making them available from this website, obviously the quiz is only relevant on the day but is still a bit of fun if you want to try it out.
Click the map or link to load the route of your choice.
These routes are supplied “as is” and the AROC Cotswold section bears no responsibilty for them, some of the roads used can be a bit bumpy and there is either a warning or an alternative supplied. If used as a guide they can be the source of a great days driving in the Cotswolds.
2022 – Cotswold Barn to Cotswold Wildlife Park
The 2022 route starts from the Cotswold Barn, Longborough and takes you through the Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire countryside. You go through Chipping Camden and then head towards Banbury. The route then heads south through Hook Norton and takes you past the Alpine F1 factory. You then head around Witney before joining the A40, turning off at Burford to the Cotswold Wildlife Park.
Click here to open the Giro 2022 route directions in a new tab
2021 -Cotswold Food Store to Batsford Arboretum
The 2021 route starts at the Cotswold Food Store and Cafe near Longborough. The route takes you on a circular tour of the Cotswolds, heading south over the A40 to Bibury before heading north again through Burford to the fantastic Batsford Arboretum.
Click here to open the Giro 2021 route directions in a new tab
2019 – The Bell at Alderminster to Compton Verney
The 2019 route starts at The Bell in Alderminster and takes you through some great scenery on a route through the North Cotswolds and into Northamptonshire, including the sites on a number of Civil War battles, before arriving at Compton Verney.
Click here to open the Giro 2019 route directions in a new tab
2018 – Ye Olde Hobnails Inn to Cotswold Wildlife Park
The 2018 route starts at Ye Olde Hobnails Inn in Little Washbourne and takes you through classic Cotswold towns and villages including Broadway, Lower Slaughter and Bourton on the Water. The route finishes at Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford.
Click here to open the Giro 2018 route and directions in a new tab
2017 – Fox Inn to Upton House
The 2017 route starts at out regular monthly meeting venue, the Fox Inn in Broadwell and takes you through fantastic Cotswold countryside to Upton House, a National Trust property 7 miles northwest of Banbury.
Click here to open the Giro 2017 route and directions in a new tab
2016 – Route to be added
2015 – Route to be added
2014 – Norman Knight at Whichford to Blenheim Palace
The 2014 route starts at the Norman Knight, Whichford and ends a Blenheim Palace in Woodstock.
Click on the image to the right to open pages 1 -4 of the route and directions or use the links below to open the full directions in a new window.
Click here to open the 2014 Giro route pages 1 – 4
Click here to open the 2014 Giro Route pages 5 – 8
2013 – Twyning Green to Stanway House
This years Giro will lead you from the Vale of Evesham into the Cotswolds. Along the way you’ll pass through pretty villages and rolling countryside before winding up at the focal point of Cotswold Alfa Day 2013, Stanway House.
Clear directions of the route are given and to help you further there is a map on page 6. If driven non-stop the route can be completed in about 1½ hours, but please take your time – it’s not a race.
2012 – Twyning Green to Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe
The route this year will lead you from the Vale of Evesham into the Cotswolds. Along the way you’ll pass through beautiful villages and rolling countryside before winding up at the focal point of Cotswold Alfa Day 2012, Sudeley Castle.
Clear directions of the route are given below and to help you further there is a map on page 6. Included for added interest is a simple observational quiz.
The whole route is around 58 miles in length. If driven non-stop it can be completed in about 1 ¾ hours but please take your time – it’s not a race. Enjoy the scenery, have a go at the quiz, and above all else enjoy driving your Alfa!
2011 – Frogmill Hotel to Buscot Park
The route will lead you through the beautiful Cotswold countryside, from The Frogmill to Buscot Park.
Clear directions of the route are given and there is a map on page 6.
Also included is a simple observational quiz for you to have a go at.
The whole route is around 50 miles in length. If driven non-stop it can be completed in about 1 ¾ hours but please take your time.
Enjoy the scenery, have a go at the quiz but above all else enjoy driving your Alfa!
2010 – The Inn at Fossebridge to Blenheim Palace
It is simply a planned route that will take you from The Inn at Fossebridge to Blenheim Palace, giving you the opportunity to explore the beautiful Cotswold countryside along the way.
Full instructions and clear directions are given, and as the route progresses places of interest are pointed out – there is even a quiz. This involves a series of simple observational questions see if you answer them all correctly.
The whole route is around 45 miles in length. If driven non-stop the route can be completed in about 1.5 hours but please take your time – it’s not a race. Enjoy the scenery, have a go at the quiz, or stop en route to explore some of the beautiful and interesting places that you will come across along the way. Above all else enjoy driving your Alfa!
Click here to open the full route directions
2009 – Blades Cafe in Northleach to Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe
The route will take you along A and B roads, and lots of typically narrow and often bumpy, Cotswold country lanes. Included to add a little extra interest is a series of observational questions for you to answer.
The whole route is around 50 miles in length and will eventually bring you to the Sudeley Castle, the focal point of the event. Follow the route singularly or in convoy – it is up to you.
The entire route can be completed in about 2 hours if done non-stop. But please take your time. Enjoy the scenery, have a go at the quiz, or stop en route to explore some of the beautiful and interesting places that you will find along the way. But above all else enjoy driving your Alfa!
2008 – Roman Court Hotel, Stow-on-the-Wold to Broughton Castle
The Roman Court Hotel has changed hands since we did this and is now Number 4 at Stow
The route of the tour is simply an interesting way to get you to Broughton Castle, the venue for this years COTSWOLD ALFA DAY. It is designed as a leisurely drive, not a race. The route uses a combination of B roads and lots of typically narrow and often bumpy, Cotswold country lanes.
Included to add a little extra interest are a series of observational questions for you to solve. All the answers can be found along the route and you don’t even need to get out of the car to find them.
The entire tour is around 55 miles in length and can be completed in about 2 hours if done non-stop. But please take your time. Have a go at the quiz, or stop en route to explore some of the beautiful and interesting places that the Cotswolds has to offer. But above all enjoy driving your Alfa!
2007 – The Puesdown Inn to Upton House, Nr Banbury
This route is simply an interesting way to get you to Upton House, the venue for this years COTSWOLD ALFA DAY. It is designed as a leisurely drive, not a race.
The route uses a combination of B roads and lots of typically narrow, and often bumpy, Cotswold country lanes. Included to add a little extra interest are a series of observational questions for you to solve. All the answers can be found along the route and you don’t even need to get out of the car to find them. Answer them all correctly and you could win a prize!
The entire route is around 65 miles in length and can be completed in about 2.5 hours if done non-stop. But please take your time. Have a go at the quiz, or stop en route to explore some of the beautiful and interesting places that the Cotswolds has to offer. But above all enjoy driving your Alfa!
2006 – Circular route starting and finishing at the Roman Court Hotel, Stow-on-the-Wold
The Roman Court Hotel has changed hands since we did this and is now Number 4 at Stow
The whole route is around 55 miles in length and will eventually return you to the Roman Court Hotel. You can do as much or as little of the route as you like.
You will rarely be more than 10 miles from Stow. The entire route can be completed in about 2.5 hours if done non-stop. But please take your time
Have a go at the quiz, or stop en route to explore some of the beautiful and interesting places that the Cotswolds has to offer. But most of all enjoy driving your Alfa through some of Englands finest scenery
2005 – The Puesdown Inn to the Roman Court Hotel, at Stow-on- the-Wold
The Roman Court Hotel has changed hands since we did this and is now Number 4 at Stow
The route is designed as a leisurely drive, not a race. It is around 65 miles in length and can be done in about 2.5 hours if you don’t stop.
But please take your time, the barbecue is not until 3pm, stop en route to explore some of the beautiful and interesting places that the Cotswolds has to offer.
You will rarely be more than 10 miles from Stow. The first section of the drive has a couple of challenges involving roads marked as ‘unsuitable for motors’ it is up to you whether you take them or not.
