Discover England: Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast

Great for active first-timers and experienced hikers with a desire to explore the best bits of Southern England, through scenic rail journeys and a selection of some of the finest hikes in the country.

Some days have optional hikes allowing flexibility depending on your mood or energy levels.

Before your tour, we recommend walking regularly and incorporating some hilly terrain into your routine. Be sure to check the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

This tour is graded easy-moderate. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation on this tour is in our 'comfort' bracket - hand-selected B&Bs and hotels with real character, from country inns in the Cotswolds to harbor hotels on the Cornish coast. Expect a warm welcome, comfortable rooms and a delicious breakfast. During high season, you might occasionally be booked into an alternative property not listed in your itinerary, but if so, it'll be of the same or better standard. We'd recommend adding an extra night or two if you can - Bath is well worth extra time (especially if you want to fit in a tour to Stonehenge), and St Ives at the end of the tour is another great spot to extend your stay.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

On this particular tour, the solo and single supplements tend to be higher than average, largely because of included taxi and luggage transfers, and because hotels in the Cotswolds and Cornwall rarely discount single occupancy. We'd also recommend some experience of walking and navigating solo before taking this tour on your own.

Breakfast is included every morning, typically a continental buffet with tea and coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, eggs and bread with jams, alongside cooked options such as freshly made porridge or a traditional English breakfast, depending on where you're staying. Lunch and dinner aren't included, so you're free to choose from the options along the way - our app highlights convenient lunch, dinner, coffee and pub stops, ranging from traditional English pubs and cozy tearooms to fine-dining restaurants. If you have somewhere particular in mind for dinner, it's worth checking opening times and booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment.

You can enjoy this trip from March through October. Spring is a lovely time to go, with wildflowers in bloom and quieter villages. Summer brings long, warm days, while October paints the Cotswold woodlands and Cornish valleys in rich fall colors.

The weather in the South West can change quickly, so rain gear is essential whenever you travel. Wind and rain can roll in fast, especially on the Cornish coast, and storms are more likely in March and October. In summer, pack sunscreen, as some trails have little shade. In spring and fall, a warm hat and gloves are worth bringing for cooler days.

A few things are also worth knowing when you plan your trip:

• Lack of air conditioning: Many Cotswold properties are in historic buildings without air conditioning, so rooms can feel warm in the height of summer. If that matters to you, consider traveling in spring or fall.
• England school vacations: July and August are the busiest months, as schools across England have their summer break and Cornwall especially can get extremely busy as families head to the beach. If you’d rather avoid the crowds, we recommend traveling outside these dates.
• English public holidays: Known locally as bank holidays, these long weekends also draw big crowds, especially in popular spots like Bourton-on-the-Water and St Ives. It’s worth checking the dates before you book.
• Weekend stays: Some accommodations in the Cotswolds and St Ives don’t accept one-night stays on weekends. Adding an extra night usually solves this, and gives you more time to explore.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/41lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

On one part of this tour, you'll travel between stops by public train rather than on foot, and on these days you'll need to carry your own bags with you rather than having them transferred - so it's worth packing as light and compact as you can for convenience on these and on your arrival and departure days too.

In the Cotswolds, the trail follows a mix of public footpaths, including a section known as the 'Cotswolds Trail'. In Cornwall, you'll be hiking the famous South West Coast Path National Trail, which is waymarked and signposted, though paths can be indistinct at times.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the start

This trip starts in Moreton-in-Marsh, which is easy to reach by train. Most trips follow two simple steps:

1. Get to London Paddington. London is well connected to cities across the UK. If your train arrives at a different London station, you can use the London Underground to reach Paddington.
2. Take the train to Moreton-in-Marsh. Direct trains run regularly from London Paddington, taking around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Arriving by plane?

• London Heathrow (LHR): Take the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington, which takes around 15 minutes.
• London Gatwick (LGW): Take the Gatwick Express to London Victoria (around 30 minutes), then the Underground to Paddington (around 20 minutes).

Getting from the end

This trip finishes in Marazion. Most trips home follow two simple steps:

1. Get to Penzance station. Penzance is around a 10-minute taxi ride or 20-minute bus ride from Marazion.
2. Take the train to London Paddington. Some trains run direct, while others connect at stations such as Reading or Bristol Temple Meads. Allow around 6 to 8 hours.

Flying home?

• London Heathrow (LHR): Take the Heathrow Express from London Paddington.
• London Gatwick (LGW): Take the Underground from Paddington to London Victoria, then the Gatwick Express to the airport.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation

While we’re leaders in self-guided travel, we think the best way to experience the stones is with a local guide, who’ll bring them to life with fascinating stories and take care of your transportation to and from your accommodations in Bath. You’ll find our recommended local partners in the Macs Adventure App, and since availability is often limited, we suggest booking well in advance.

Prefer to go it alone? Take the train from Bath Spa to Salisbury (around an hour), then hop on the Stonehenge Tour bus from the station, which also stops at Old Sarum and Salisbury Cathedral.

Is St Michael’s Way part of the Camino de Santiago?

It is, and it’s a lovely piece of history to hike through. Centuries ago, pilgrims from Ireland and Wales landed on Cornwall’s north coast and crossed the peninsula on foot to Mount’s Bay, avoiding the treacherous sea journey around Land’s End. From there, many sailed on to Spain and continued to Santiago de Compostela.

Today, St Michael’s Way is one of the UK’s pilgrim routes linked to the Camino. Look out for the scallop shell on the trail markers as you go. It’s the Camino’s famous symbol, and a nice reminder that you’re following in the footsteps of pilgrims from long ago.

Can I collect pilgrim stamps on St Michael’s Way?

You can. Just like on the Camino, pilgrims hiking St Michael’s Way can collect stamps in a pilgrim passport as they go, building a lovely keepsake of the journey. Pick up your passport at St Uny’s Church in Lelant, where the trail begins, then look out for stamps along the route to Marazion. Planning to hike the Camino one day? Bring your official Camino passport instead, so your stamps can count toward your pilgrimage.

Find the “Tolkien door” in Stow-on-the-Wold

Wander over to St Edward’s Church and find its north door, framed by two ancient yew trees growing right into the stonework. Many believe it inspired the Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings. It’s one of our favorite photo stops in the Cotswolds.

Take a short detour to Upper Slaughter

Lower Slaughter is lovely, but its quieter twin is just as special. Follow the gentle riverside trail along the River Eye for just over a mile to Upper Slaughter, then stroll back past the Old Mill. It’s well worth the extra steps.

Beat the crowds in Bourton-on-the-Water

Known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” Bourton-on-the-Water can get very busy in the middle of the day. Arrive in the late afternoon or head out for an early morning stroll to enjoy its little stone bridges at their most peaceful.

Stop for a pint at Hawkstone Brewery

Love him or loathe him, there’s no escaping Jeremy Clarkson in this corner of the Cotswolds. Fans of the former Top Gear host’s hit show Clarkson’s Farm will recognize Hawkstone, the brewery behind the lager featured on screen. It’s just outside Lower Slaughter, so grab a pint at the taproom or book a brewery tour.

Explore Bath and St Ives with our pocket guides

Make the most of your time in two of England’s most charming destinations. In Bath, discover Roman history, sweeping Georgian terraces and the famous Royal Crescent. In St Ives, wander through art galleries, independent shops and sandy beaches around the harbor. Our pocket guides on the Macs Adventure App are full of our favorite spots, so you can explore both like a local.

Time your visit to St Michael’s Mount

Just offshore from Marazion, St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island crowned by a medieval castle. At low tide, you can walk across the ancient causeway, while at high tide, a small boat takes you over. The island is closed on Saturdays, and you must book tickets in advance, so plan your visit carefully.

Make it a bigger adventure

Want to see more of England? This trip pairs perfectly with our Discover England: The Lake District to Yorkshire Dales tour. Add an overnight stop in London to connect the two, and you’ll see the best of the north and south in one trip.