Active Holidays in the Cotswolds

Love him or loathe him, Jeremy Clarkson has helped shine a fresh spotlight on the Cotswolds through his hit TV series Clarkson’s Farm. While none of our routes pass directly by the Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Chadlington, several of our walks take you close to locations featured in the show.

The brewery behind his Hawkstone beers and ciders, complete with its make-shift pub (as pictured), can be visited with a short five-minute detour on our Cotswold Trail and Cotswolds in Comfort itineraries. For those keen to visit his Farmer’s Dog pub, this can be added to our Southern Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath tour with a short evening taxi journey from near Minster Lovell (it has a huge waiting list, so be sure to book in advance).

Macs Adventure has been the leading specialist in self-guided walking holidays in the Cotswolds since 2007. We began with the iconic Cotswold Way, then went further—designing exclusive routes such as the Cotswold Trail, Cotswolds in Comfort and Cotswolds in Style to reveal the region’s most beautiful villages and landscapes beyond the main trail.

Today, we help over 2,000 travellers explore the Cotswolds every year, offering the freedom to choose your route, pace and companions. With 200+ glowing reviews, our reputation is built on delivering outstanding, expertly crafted walking experiences. We know the Cotswolds inside out—and our goal is simple: to make sure you love it as much as we do.

Q: When is the best time of year to walk in the Cotswolds?

A: The Cotswolds are sublime at any time between the end of March and the beginning of October. Spring is a wonderful time of year to walk in the Cotswolds as the countryside is covered in wildflowers. Spring is also a quieter month for tourism, so you will find the paths and towns a lot less busy. 

Q: Best cream tea?

A: Cream teas are the lifeblood of the Cotswolds, with delicate blends of tea, carefully crafted for you, and towering cake stands filled with a variety of creative sweet treats. Every village will have its own favourite, but for something indulgent and special, check out the Lords of the Manor hotel just outside Bourton-on-the-Water on our Cotswolds Trail and In Comfort itineraries or visit the Pump Rooms in Bath at the end of the Cotswold Way.

Q: Will I need a map and compass?

A: No, the Cotswolds, in general, are easy to navigate. Most towns and villages are linked by public walking trails. If you're doing the Cotswold Way, it's signposted throughout with the National Trail acorn symbol. Also, all our trips have access to our award-winning Macs Adventure App, which will keep you on track throughout the duration of your tour (using no mobile data).

Thinking of walking in the Cotswolds? There are many different routes and experiences in this region that it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Luckily it is Macs Adventure to the rescue! Simply download our Free 14-page Cotswolds guide from the link below to read on your phone, tablet or good old printed page.  

Download your Free Cotswolds Guide