The Cotswold Way explores the quintessential English countryside of the Cotswolds. A beautiful green landscape of rolling farmland, quiet woods, picturesque villages all steeped in history. You will enjoy a series of breathtaking views as you follow the Cotswold Way.
Your walking holiday begins in the charming old wool merchants town of Chipping Campden, home of the annual Olimpick Games. Heading south you pass through a succession of enchanting English villages, featuring typical Cotswold cottages, historic houses, welcoming country pubs and inviting shops.
The trail twists and turns through the countryside and you will enjoy expansive views, stumble across Neolithic sites and be surprised by elegant village churches. Journey’s end is the City of Bath, brimming with things to see and do. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Bath’s Roman Baths and fine architecture will be a highlight of your journey.
Our Cotswold Way walking holidays feature hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, country inns, hotels and guesthouses. You can expect the highest levels of welcome, atmosphere and outstanding local cuisine. We also include daily door to door baggage transfers, a guide book with detailed map and pre-departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you need it. We offer a number of itineraries on the Cotswold Way so you can relax as hard as you like.
As a Cotswold Way specialist we offer a wide range of itineraries on the Cotswold Way ranging from 5 to 10 days of walking. Each itinerary detailed on the left is made up of the following sections.
The town of Chipping Campden is arguably the loveliest of the Cotswold towns and many people choose to stay an extra night in Chipping Campden 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.
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 tearooms 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.
Tearing yourself away from the beauty of Stanton you soon reach the hamlet of Church Stanway. The ornate gatehouse of Stanway House distracts from the steep climb to Stumps Cross which follows. The Iron Age hill fort Beckbury Camp and medieval Hailes Abbey are both of interest before you reach the hustle and bustle of Winchcombe. Winchecombe was once an important Saxon settlement and it’s folk museum and the gargoyles of the Church of St Peter are of interest.
The scenic and historically interesting six mile stretch to Cleve Hill. The magnificent Sudeley Castle is soon followed by a Roman Villa and Belas Knap, a huge Neolithic burial chamber. Cleeve Hill offers comfortable accommodation and refreshment but those continuing to Dowdeswell will enjoy a series of outstanding views from the Cotswold escarpment.
A short sharp climb from Dowdeswell takes you back up onto the Wolds were the vistas continue to impress. The distinctive Devil’s Chimney and ancient site of Crickley Hill are both fascinating. Birdlip village has a traditional country inn.
A predominantly woodland walk which delights at any time of year, but especially the spring when wild flowers abound. You pass Coopers Hill, the site of the famous annual cheese rolling festival, before arriving in the delightful Painswick. An elegant town which grew prosperous from the cloth trade.
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.
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.
The first eight miles through valleys to Hawkesbury Upton is filled with mills and streams which serve as reminders of the woollen trade which was once so important. Leaving the escarpment behind at Hawkesbury Upton the rural isolation, small villages and tranquillity of the walk to Tormarton are to be recommended.
Numerous pleasures await on the final section of the Cotswold Way. The spectacular Dyrham Park, wonderful vistas and the architectural delights of Bath make for an unforgettable finale to your Cotswold Way walk.
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of England’s most popular destinations the City of Bath will surprise and delight you. We recommend adding an extra night in Bath. A fast and frequent train service can return you to London in 1.5 hours.
We recommend you walk from Chipping Campden to Bath as this gives a better walking experience.
The Cotswolds are so engaging and there is so much to do that we strongly recommend extending your holiday. Chipping Campden and Bath are both excellent locations for an extra night. Painswick is a delightful market town and is perfectly located for a half way break.
We are always more than happy to tailor our standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what you would like and we will be happy to arrange your tailor made walking holiday.
We offer a number of other walking holidays and short breaks in the Cotswolds. For details of our other walking holidays in the Cotswolds click here...,
The Cotswold Way is a National Trail and is fully way marked and easy to follow. A comprehensive guidebook and map are also supplied.
The way is on well maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields and on some minor roads. It does involve some steep ascent and descent from the escarpment but in general the walking is fairly easy.
One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. You will stay in carefully selected 3 or 4 star B&B’s, guesthouses, country pubs and small hotels. Your room will always have an ensuite or private bathroom. A delicious breakfast is always included.
If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.
This walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs their is a solo walker supplement payable.
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included. Most of your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs or restaurants.
Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the cost of your holiday. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers do not accept pets.
We supply a detailed guidebook and map but you may find room for a few titles in your pack. I suggest you visit The Cotswold Bookshop for a wealth of inspiration and books relating to the Cotswolds.
Cotswold Way National Trail Website
Amusing Diary of The Cotswold Way
Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural
Tourist Guide to The Cotswolds
Cornerways is a family run bed and breakfast excellently situated just 2 minutes walk away from the centre of Chipping Campden's famous High Street.
Shenberrow is an attractive country house which offers luxury accommodation in the lovely little village of Stanton.
The White Hart Inn is a 16th Century coaching inn offering comfortable accommodation in the heart of Winchcombe. Delicious evening meals are available at the 'Wine and Sausage' restaurant at the Inn.
This luxurious boutique hotel and restaurant is a pleasure to stay at with a warm welcome and outstanding service guaranteed.
You are assured a warm welcome from Ann and Brian at Needlehole Forge which is located a stone's throw from the Cotswold Way. They pride themselves on creating a warm, relaxing and welcoming environment at this delightful country retreat.
Tibbiwell Lodge offers comfortable accommodation with fantastic views and a superb location in the centre of Painswick.
Having recently received a Silver Enjoy England award our four star guest accommodation Valley Views has recently been renovated and refurbished to a high quality. You can be assured of a warm welcome from hostess Pam White.
Built in the mid 17th century and Carlton House enjoys a prominent position in Wotton's main street and offers an ideal overnight stop to Cotswold Way walkers.
Situated in its own spacious grounds of lawns and fruit trees, this former farmstead dates from the 1700's, its rustic charm complemented by modern restoration.
The Compass Inn hotel is a family run hotel under the Best Western chain. It offers modern accommodation in an 18th Century coaching inn and has a wonderful setting in 6 acres of beautifully kept grounds and gardens.
This lovely B&B provides a warm welcome to walkers and is a short stroll from the local pub which provides evening meals.
The Belmont offers modern and comfortable rooms in a city centre Georgian town house designed by John Wood in 1756. It is ideally located only a short walk away from all the shops and attractions of Bath.
Rail: Train services connect London to Moreton-on-Marsh (2h) and Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon(1h). Taxi or bus services are available for the respective 6 or 12 mile last leg to Chipping Campden.
Road: National Express coaches serve Bath, Cheltenham and Broadway. Unsecure on street parking is available in Chipping Campden.
Fast and frequent services connect Bath to London (1h30).
If you have left a car in Chipping Campden getting back from Bath on Public transport rail/bus takes about 3.5 hours. We don’t recommend you leave a car in Bath as long term parking is expensive.
Please visit the Traveline Website or National Rail Enquiries for further information on public transport and timetables.
We are often asked the following questions by walkers planning The Cotswold Way and I hope that you will find the following information useful.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.
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 6 months prior to your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
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.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. You can download a full equipment list from the downloads page of our website.
The Cotswold Way is sublime at any time between the end of March and beginning of October although my personal favourite time of year is the spring.
We recommend you travel by train. Further travel information is available on our essential information page . If you are driving we recommend leaving your car in Chipping Campden where on street parking is available.
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.
You can start your Cotswold Way walking holiday on any day of the week during the months indicated below. To make a provisional reservation select "Book" for the itinerary you are interested in.
Option prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.
Because every Cotswold holiday we book is unique availability changes from day to day and our booking process works as follows:
Please note that due to the badminton horse trials and the May bank holiday weekend the dates of 2 - 6 May are now full.
| Code | Tour Name | Duration | Grade | From | Book |
| WESCTS | Cotswold Way | 5 - 10 days | £415 | Book | |
| WESCTS4 | Cotswold Way | 11 Days & 10 Nights | £625 | Book | |
| WESCTS2 | Cotswold Way | 9 Days & 8 Nights | £505 | Book | |
| WESCTS6 | Cotswold Way - The North | 7 Days & 6 Nights | £415 | Book | |
| WESCTS1 | Cotswold Way | 8 Days & 7 Nights | £455 | Book | |
| WESCTS3 | Cotswold Way | 10 Days & 9 Nights | £555 | Book | |
| WESCTS5 | Cotswold Way | 12 Days & 11 Nights | £680 | Book | |
| WESCTS7 | Cotswold Way - The South | 7 Days & 6 Nights | £415 | Book |
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