A walking holiday in the Cotswolds should not to be missed. Choose the Cotswolds and use those precious summer holidays meandering through one of England's most popular walking destination. The Cotswolds offers a variety of walks with the most popular being the Cotswold way.  However, don't be put off if it’s fully booked. There are many equally wonderful alternatives to the Cotswold Way. Here are some of our suggestions:

The Cotswold Round

Starting in the Regency town of Cheltenham, the Cotswold Round walking holiday links the picturesque towns in the north of the Cotswolds and has some of the most scenic walkings in England. Beginning in Cheltenham Spa, the complete regency town in England, the walk immediately introduces some of the most picturesque villages England has to offer. The Regency townhouses on display are recognizable by their intricate ironwork balconies and stucco facades lining the pavilions, squares and terraces. The route then continues north, along with the prettiest section of the Cotswold Way, to the classic Cotswold villages of Winchcombe, Stanton, Broadway and Chipping Campden. To return to the beginning of the route, the walk turns south passing by some of the Cotswold gems: Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. The Cotswold Round can be walked over 5 or 6 days depending on how much exploring you would like to do.

 The Cotswold Trail

The Cotswold trail meanders through the beautiful rolling Cotswold countryside, passing honey-coloured villages, historic houses, immaculate gardens and ancient sites, it really is a wonderful walk. The route begins in Moreton-in-Marsh, a bustling market town with excellent rail links to London. Heading south through the classic Cotswold countryside the route passes through a series of beautiful villages before reaching Bourton-on-the-Water. The route then turns west to Winchcombe before looping back to Moreton-in-Marsh via Stanton, Broadway and Chipping Campden. Typical Cotswold cottages and villages, lush green countryside, historic houses, welcoming country pubs and inviting shops make the Cotswolds a walker's paradise. The Cotswold Trail  certainly shows the beautiful landscapes of the Cotswolds.

Shakespeare's Way

Shakespeare’s Way is an excellent Cotswold walking adventure. We offer the northern section of Shakespeare’s Way, which goes from Stratford-upon-Avon to Oxford. The great advantage of this walk is being able to enjoy the tranquillity and historic sites of the Cotswolds. The UNESCO World Heritage site Blenheim Palace is one of the many wonderful historic landmarks on this walk.  Finishing in Oxford, the Northern Section focuses on the tranquil environment and spectacular historic towns. Shakespeare's Way is a great walk to immerse yourself in the history of Shakespeare. In short, don't despair if the Cotswold Way is fully booked. Instead, take it as an opportunity to discover the truly quaint towns of the  Cotswold Trail and Cotswold Round or to enjoy the historic landmarks of Shakespeare's Way. Walking in England doesn't get better than this!   For more information about the Cotswolds Way, you can download our comprehensive Free Guide here.   

Our team of specialists are here to help you plan your next adventure, contact us for advice & inspiration.