Cotswold Way - 10 Days & 9 Nights
- Complete the 100-mile Cotswold Way - a National Trail of England
- See the pretty honey-coloured cottages of the Cotswold villages
- Enjoy scones and jam in the afternoon and a pint in the evening
- Journey through quintessential English countryside on glorious walks
- Celebrate in Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city, at the end of the Cotswold Way
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Chipping CampdenThe town of Chipping Campden is arguably the loveliest of the Cotswold towns and many people choose to stay an extra night here before starting the walk. A two-hour train journey from London to Moreton-in-the-Marsh and 6-mile taxi or bus bring you easily to the start of your holiday.
The Volunteer Inn is a 17th century pub with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. They have cobbled courtyard and well maintained gardens which can be enjoyed during the summer months and a warm cosy log fire in the winter. Rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require. Please note that the pub is popular on the weekends and therefore you will hear some noise but the owners will try and accommodate you in a room as far away from the bar as possible.
A warm welcome awaits you at Park Road B&B, they are family run and have 2 lovely en-suite guest rooms. Their rooms are centrally heated with tea & coffee making facilities and all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
The Bantam Tea Rooms was built in 1693 and directly overlooks the 17th Century Market Hall. There is also a peaceful, private guest lounge and on those cold mornings you can enjoy your delicious breakfast by the roaring log fire. All rooms are tastefully decorated with a comfortable and cosy feel.
Leaving the honey-coloured architectural beauty of Chipping Campden behind, you climb immediately onto the escarpment where Dover’s Hill and then Broadway Tower reward with fine views. The tea rooms of Broadway are a welcome diversion before heading back into the hills. The idyllic village of Stanton welcomes you at the end of the section.
Ascent: 380m / Descent: 425m
In some cases due to availability, you may need to overnight in Broadway instead of Stanton - you can do this by return transfers, e.g. transferring back to Broadway when you reach Stanton and then the following morning take a return taxi back to Stanton and continue along the Way.
Shenberrow is a country house in 8 acres of North Cotswolds’s little village of Stanton. All rooms for comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms and all the usual comforts in the way of TV & tea & coffee making facilities.
New Forge House is a comfortable B&B which has two double en-suite rooms. The rooms have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
Bed & Breakfast is offered in Jill's antique and flower-filled Cotswold house. Jill's breakfasts are legendary and will set you up for a day of activity.
Leaving Stanton, you soon discover the Iron Age hill fort Beckbury Camp dating back to 2,000 BC, before arriving at medieval Hailes Abbey. The 13th Century ruins and newly built museum (open April-August, payable locally) are wonderful to explore and discover the history of the monks who lived and worshipped at the abbey for nearly three centuries. Continue via Sudeley Castle, part of England’s history for over 1,000 years, featuring a beautiful 15th-century church and lovely gardens. Pass Belas Knap, a huge Neolithic burial chamber, and then on to Cleeve Hill, the highest point of the Cotswolds hill range.
Ascent: 590m / Descent: 385m
The hotel sits close to the top of Cleeve Hill, which is the highest point in the Cotswolds and has exceptional views across Cheltenham to the Malvern Hills. Each of their rooms is individually decorated, all are a generous size, en-suite with TVs, and Tea/Coffee making facilities. Their light, airy breakfast room commands stunning views across the local countryside, and their excellent breakfasts are renowned for being extremely generous and will provide the perfect start to your day. The Trust Bar is available to residents 24hrs a day, offering a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, either in the lounge or in your room.
Marco and Cathy Giorgi draw on their many years of experience and professionalism, to make sure that every little detail is taken care of. Their rooms are comfortable and beautifully designed, offering sumptuous Egyptian cotton bedlinen, 32 inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free WiFi and a well stocked hospitality tray. Plus, each room has its own private ensuite facilities (except 'Hereford' which has its bathroom across a small hallway. Towelling robes are provided). You can indulge yourself with their luxury rain showers, complimentary toiletries and large fluffy white towels as standard.
The Rising Sun is a country hotel, restaurant and public house, close to the top of Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds. Cleeve Hill has superb views across Cheltenham to the Malvern Hills, and many rooms have scenic views. All rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require for your overnight stay. The restaurant, bar and heated garden terrace all offer seasonal modern and traditional British dishes. To drink, there are real ales, wines and speciality teas/coffees.
Leaving Cleeve Hill, enjoy a series of outstanding panoramic views of the rolling green hills of the Cotswold countryside to Cheltenham and beyond. Pass through peaceful woodland and quiet country lanes before descending through Dowdeswell Wood to a reservoir and then on to Seven Springs (believed to be the source of the Thames).
As there are no accommodations in Seven Springs you will likely be overnighting in Cheltenham with an included return transfer.
Ascent: 245m / Descent: 365m
Cotswold Grange is an independent hotel situated in a quiet leafy avenue of similar grand buildings. Rooms are equipped with a TV, radio, tea/coffee-making facilities. Beds have deep mattresses and crisp white linen sheets. Ornately decorated, the high ceilinged dining room has huge windows.
The George is inspired by the origniality and diversity of the local area.The George is approachable, warm and friendly and big on design and living like a local. The George offers 46 deisgn-led rooms which come equipped with blackout curtains, rainfall shower, Wi-Fi and a Smart TV. There is contactless check-in, a 24-hour pantry, and drop-and-go check-out. There are leisure amenities available, which can be booked through front of house team.
No.38 The Park offers a luxurious stay and a sublime selection of sustenance in the restaurant to fuel your adventures. In each one of the beautiful bespoke bedrooms, bold statement prints and mismatched textures are the order of the day. All of the bedrooms at No.38 The Park are dog friendly. No.38 The Park uniquely combines the luxury of a hotel with the independence of a bed and breakfast creating a warm and homely feel.
A transfer from your overnight accommodation will take you back to Seven Springs. Leaving Seven Springs itself, you begin to experience the increasingly rural section of the Cotswold Way. There will be fewer villages, allowing you to relax in the peace and tranquillity of the gorgeous, iconic Cotswold countryside. Climb up to Charlton Kings Common, looking out for the distinctive rock pillar known as the “Devil's Chimney”. Continue through quiet woodland, enchanting at any time of year, but especially in the spring when wildflowers abound. Pass Coopers Hill, home to the famous annual cheese rolling festival, before arriving in the delightful town of Painswick, which grew prosperous from the cloth trade.
Ascent: 435m / Descent: 500m
Troy House is situated in the queen of the Cotswolds - the village of Painswick. It is set in a grade 2 listed building with original features. Off set in a private courtyard allowing ultimate relaxation and tranquillity. Each room has been decorated in natural colours and have all the amenities you require for your overnight stay.
St Anne’s B&B is a traditional English country home furnished with antiques, a log fire and relaxed family atmosphere. They have three guest rooms which are all comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require. The dining room has a large sofa and you are welcome to relax in front of the fire or read the newspapers.
Dating back to 1554 the Falcon is a small hotel and restaurant overlooking the historic village church and it's famous 99 clipped yew trees. All 11 rooms are en-suite, tastefully decorated and have comfortable beds with crisp, white linen. Facilities include toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, free wi-fi, freeview TV, radio alarm clock and hair dryer. An iron, ironing board and fans are available on request. Their restaurant offers the best of fresh, seasonal British food with an interesting twist in the belief that a dish should be savoured to the very last mouthful.
A sublime section of the Cotswold Way. Ancient woodlands, rural tranquillity and vast panoramas combine to deliver walking heaven. Stanley Mill on the edge of King’s Stanley once employed 1000 people and is an early example of fireproof construction.
Ascent: 255m / Descent: 355m
Orchardene is a B&B that was built in the early 1820's, in rural King Stanley. Each room has facilities for making a hot drink, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and fruit teas, and fresh milk.
They also provide each room with toiletries, a hair dryer and digital clock radio. Wi-fi access is available free of charge.
The Grey Cottage is built of local Cotswold stone in 1838 and is located between the villages of Leonard Stanley & Kings Stanley. The property is situated in a quarter acre of flower garden. On the ground floor are comfortably furnished sitting and dining rooms with views over the garden. These have genuine log fires lit for when it gets chilly. Flat screen TV. Free WiFi. Rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
A 36-bedroom, 17th century Manor House Hotel set in six acres of stunning grounds overlooking the Stroud Water Canal and rolling hills of the Stroud Valley.
Please note when staying for the weekend, sometimes there are functions which involve loud music until 00:30.
A series of short sharp ascents and descents, Neolithic burial chambers and Iron Age hill forts quickly eat up the six and a half miles to Dursley. Climbing steeply back to the scarp edge Tyndale Monument is the main point of interest before reaching Wotton-Under-Edge. A lovely stop which blends old and new.
Ascent: 640m / Descent: 590m
The Swan is a former coaching Inn; it has a wealth of charm and character enhanced by original features including beamed ceilings, stone floors and exposed walls plus 3 open fires and traditional furniture. The restaurant offers a modern and contemporary feel while still retaining the character and features of a period building. They pride themselves on serving high quality food and where the ingredients are sourced locally for their seasonal menus.
Woodland House has six bedrooms.They have a games room with full size table tennis and comfortable leather sofas for relaxing. They also haveo a guest lounge where guests can relax, watch television and have unlimited teas and coffee. A fridge and microwave are also available.
All rooms have Netflix and ‘freesat’ on 32 inch smart televisions, along with high speed broadband and free Wi-Fi.
They offer in-house sports massage and physiotherapy treatments (prior booking needed).
With its beamed ceilings, flagstones floors, and open fires, this 16th-century coaching inn is brimming with original character and charm. Nestled in the lovely Gloucestershire countryside, you’ll find a warm welcome, relaxed atmosphere and cosy rooms. Hunters Hall is a wonderful base for exploring the stunning Cotswolds.
From Wotton, the route leads along a lovely stream to Coombe, then steeply up Blackquarries hill for commanding views across the surrounding area. Around Worley Hill and through the woods the way descends via a sunken lane to the edge of Wortley. From here the path meanders through quiet countryside, past the imposing Somerset Monument, to Horton and the impressive Iron Age hill fort at Little Sodbury. Finally, you descend through the old churchyard to Old Sodbury. Leaving Old Sodbury the Cotswold Way leads through fields to Coombs End. Here farmland gives way to the parkland of the Dodington Estate, originally designed by Capability Brown. Leaving the estate the path continues to the small village of Tormarton to finish at the Interesting church of St Mary Magdalene.
Ascent: 470m / Descent: 380m
The Compass Inn is a medium sized, family run, hotel set in the beautiful South Cotswolds. The Orangery Restaurant has a reputation for using the very best of local produce and seasonal game, as well as a fine wine list.
Noades House is a traditional Cotswold stone built house offering comfortable accommodation very close to the trail. Rooms are freshly decorated and have all the amenities for your overnight stay.
From Tormarton the route goes over the busy M4 motorway before veering off into the more peaceful countryside. The country lanes take you to the edge of Dyrham Park and past Hinton Hill with its ancient hill fort. Through the hamlet of Dryham and past the National Trust Dyrham House with its exquisite gardens, you finally arrive in the quiet village of Cold Ashton with its marvellous southerly aspect. Leaving Cold Ashton the route crosses the A46 for the last time and heads along Greenway Lane before the ascent up onto Lansdown Hill. Crossing the Civil War battlefield to the Grenville Monument, the Cotswold Way heads out to the scarp edge at Hanging Hill and around Bath Race Course to Prospect Stile Viewpoint and fine vistas of your final destination. Now it’s downhill and through the suburbs, parks and historic streets of Bath to the finish at the Abbey.
Ascent: 375m / Descent: 530m
The Kennard offers comfortable accommodation in an elegant Georgian town house dating from 1794 and located just minutes from the Roman Baths and the new Thermae Spa Complex. You will find modern features including plasma-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi internet. The breakfast room is hung with Venetian chandeliers and is the place to enjoy breakfast will include a variety of fresh, locally-produced items .
They are a small and independent townhouse hotel in the heart of Bath. They have eight bedrooms that effortlessly marry past and present. Each one has its own history and charms, yet all share the latest in up-to-the-minute creature comforts. In their restaurant they serve eight dishes that change with the seasons. All of their plates are small so you can choose two, three or four each and savour the best ingredients available right now from coast, field and forest. Pair your selections with a glass or bottle from their extensive wine list or ask for a recommendation.
You are assured a very warm welcome at Oldfields House. The comfortable rooms offer all one would require to relax after a days walking. With chic décor, complimentary toiletries, tea/coffee making facilities and a flat screen TV, you have the perfect environment in which to unwind.
Check out after breakfast and take a train to London for onward travel connections. Alternatively, ask your Macs destination specialist about arranging extra nights in Bath to explore more of this beautiful small city.
This trip has a carbon score of 9kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 9kg is equivalent to 5.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Walk the full 100-miles of the Cotswold Trail over 8 days. Expect varied daily mileage from 9-17 miles, with the last three walking days coming in at the lengthiest. Don’t forget to enjoy a pint at the local pub at the end of the day! We recommend an extra night in Bath at the end to see some of its famous architectural and historic sites!
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
The Cotswold Way tour is rated easy to moderate overall. However, if you choose an itinerary which is 9 days or less, then the rating becomes moderate to strenuous, as you will be walking more miles/kms per day. The trail is on well-maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields, golf courses and on some minor roads. It does involve some steep ascents and descents from the escarpment.
One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of accommodation. You will stay in carefully selected B&Bs, guesthouses and small hotels. Your room will always have an ensuite or private bathroom. A delicious breakfast is always included.
Alternative accommodation
During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.
Solo Walkers
This walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs there is a solo walker supplement payable.
Additional Nights
If you are walking the full Cotswold Way (or even our "Escape to" and "North" itineraries) we recommend booking at least one extra night in Bath. There is plenty to do in this bustling city known as being the home of well-being. In your information pack, we provide a list of recommended restaurants, cafes and things to do while you are there.
Cotswold Way is well waymarked and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure App on your phone which has maps, GPS tracks and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simple.
Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
- Cotswold Way: Chipping Campden to Bath, by Tricia & Bob Hayen (British Walking Guide). Trailblazers
- Cotswold Way Harvey Map 1:40,000
- Hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
- Breakfasts
- Door to door baggage transfers
- Return taxi transfer from Seven Springs to Cheltenham (Due to lack of Accommodation)
- Detailed information, GPX tracks and route information with the Macs Adventure App
- Emergency telephone support
- Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Extra nights
You can start The Cotswold Way on any day of the week between the start of April and mid-October, subject to availability. It is great at any time throughout the season as all the flowers will be in bloom throughout this time. The Cotswolds are very popular so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to.
** Please be aware that at the beginning of May the Badminton Horse Trials are held and it is a challenge to find accommodation in Kings Stanley, Old Sodbury and Cold Ashton during this time.
It should also be noted that we will not book accommodation in Stanton on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday night due to the fact there is no-where to eat in the village on those evenings. If your booking does land in Stanton on those days then we will include return transfers to Broadway for a small additional cost.
Train services connect London to Moreton-in-Marsh (2h) and Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon (1h). If you wish to take a taxi from Moreton-in-Marsh this will need to be booked ahead of time as there is no taxi rank at the station or in the town. The cost is about £25. Please check the following website for taxi information and to pre-book. Or you can walk from the station to the Corn Exchange (a 5 minute walk) and from here you can take a bus to Chipping Camden. It is the Line 22 bus, it takes approximately 25 minutes and the buses leave hourly (approx £3 cost). Please note buses do not run on Sundays.
If you wish to drive to the start of the walk, there is a secure car park on the outskirts of Chipping Campden. This is about a 10 minute walk to the centre of Chipping Campden and costs £5 per night. Unfortunately it is not the easiest to get back to Chipping Campden from Bath. The most straightforward way is to take the train to Cheltenham via Gloucester (approx 1h 30m), and then take a taxi to Chipping Campden.
Fast and frequent train services connect Bath to London (1h30). Unfortunately, it is not the easiest to get back to Chipping Campden from Bath. The most straightforward way is to take the train to Cheltenham via Gloucester (approx 1h 30m), and then take a taxi to Chipping Campden.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
If you are travelling from far afield and do have more than one bag it is possible to arrange for the extra luggage to be stored whilst you are on tour for a fee of £25 per bag. These additional bags would be picked up from your accommodation at the start point of your tour and dropped off wherever you finish depending on the itinerary you are doing. This must be booked in advance if you are interested in this option. Please do not show up and ask the driver on your first day of walking.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the direct routes at the time of our pathfinder walking them (this excludes walking to/from your accommodation to the start/end point, or for example coming off the path for lunch). There may be some slight discrepancies/small diversions that make the distances slightly out compared to your own mapping software (Strava/Garmin/Apple Watch).
Online Documents
At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.
On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/cycling gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Cotswolds are extremely popular. If booking at short notice, we will always try and accommodate your plans.
We offer a range of itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully, you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle, we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least six months before your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
Please check with your destination specialist, and they will be more than happy to let you know if you can combine this Cotswold tour with others.
We would recommend Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and Hidcote, famous for its rare trees and shrubs. Click here for a full list of Gardens and Arboreta in the Cotswolds.
There are many houses and historical monuments throughout the Cotswolds, and what you can see depends on the itinerary you are doing. There are historic houses, rustic ruins and many museums for you to explore. Click here for a full list of Historic Houses and Museums.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.
The Cotswold Way is sublime at any time between the end of March and beginning of October although the path is arguably at its most beautiful in the Spring.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
You can use local bus services or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
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Walking in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are world-famous for bustling market towns, beautiful villages, and stunning countryside. This short feature follows Mark and Sonia who spent their 30th wedding anniversary walking on a Macs Adventure walking tour in the Cotswolds.
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Walking10 Frequently Asked Questions About Walking in the CotswoldsRead More3 Min Read16 February 2018
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Tips & AdviceThe Best Chocolate Box Villages in the CotswoldsRead More2 Min Read16 February 2018
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WalkingHow do I navigate the Cotswold Way?Read More1 Min Read30 November 2013
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