The Cotswold Trail - 6 Days & 5 Nights
- Enjoying a circular walk through the beautiful English countryside
- Wandering through picturesque villages, gardens and ancient sites
- Absorbing the atmosphere at the local markets in the towns you pass through
- Staying in handpicked accommodation that offers a warm welcome
- Revelling in the views from Broadway Tower over the surrounding countryside
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Moreton-in-MarshMoreton-in-Marsh is a one hour thirty five minute train journey from London Paddington.
One of the principal market towns in the Northern Cotswolds, it has served as a traveller's town for at least 1700 years. The wide main street is lined by inns, shops and galleries and hosts a weekly Tuesday market.
Redesdale Arms Hotel is a 17th-century coaching house which has a contemporary decor with stylish bedrooms and you can enjoy log fires in the winter and a patio garden in the summer. The rooms are spread between the original main house, dating back to 1650, and to the rear of the building in the original stable block or courtyard. Two of their rooms feature whirlpool baths and many have spacious walk-in showers. All the rooms are equipped with a TV and new king-size beds. The restaurant has an AA Rosette award and the menu boasts good quality produce including local game and vegetables, and Cornish seafood.
The White Hart Royal, with individually designed bedrooms, is a historic 17th century coaching inn. All bedrooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, mineral water and biscuits. From the revenue the hotel receives they donate the cost of a new baby tree to the local woodland trust. In this way they not only contribute towards a great local ’green’ cause, they also provide guests with the feel good factor of knowing that having an overnight stay here a little tree will grow!
Acacia Guesthouse is a small B&B in Moreton in Marsh. All rooms are equipped with flat screen tv's,, free wi-fi, tea/coffee making facilities, clock radio alarms, use of ironing board facilities, and hairdryer. Dorothy and Michael will cater for your every need with freshly soured local products for that homely breakfast. Just off the high street there is a choice of local restaurants to choose from for your evening meal.
As you start your walking tour of the Cotswolds you can look forward to the most delightful day of walking. Hopping between some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds you soon reach Stow-on-the-Wold, an important market town, whose streets are lined by art galleries, gift shops and inns. Don’t linger for too long as a few more miles through the rolling Cotswold countryside bring you to Bourton-on-the-Water, one of the prettiest villages in Britain and an absolute delight.
Ascent: 175m / Descent: 175m
Situated in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water, the Chester House is a 22 bedroom privately run hotel. Their rooms are elegant and traditionally furnished. The riverside restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and morning coffee. Food is made from high-quality local ingredients, and each Sunday roast dinner is served. The bar offers a wide variety of drinks, draught lager, craft ales and spirits.
Broadlands Guest House is situated in a quiet street, a few minutes walk from the beautiful village centre. Accommodation is tastefully furnished in a friendly home from home atmosphere.
Jayne and David welcome you to their B&B, each room comes complete with a flat screen TV, a small Ipad/notebook for internet and email access, a radio with an ipod docking station and a hairdryer. All rooms are equipped with en-suite shower rooms featuring a rainhead and handheld shower and complimentary toiletries in the bathroom.
Following the River Windrush out of the Bourton-on-the-Water you are quickly immersed in the Cotswold countryside. Naunton is the first of several delightful Cotswold villages you visit. The day is punctuated by wide open views, quiet woodlands and secluded valleys. The highlight comes towards the end of the day as you cross the Cotswold escarpment and look down to Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe in the valley beyond.
Ascent: 325m / Descent: 360m
The Lion Inn is formerly a coaching inn dating back to the 1500s, following a major renovation the Inn has been given a new lease of life; the rooms now have their own individual style and character, rooms are clutter free which means they do not have TV’s. You can enjoy delicious home-cooked, locally-sourced food and a great selection of beer, wine and spirits in a beautiful, relaxing environment in the restaurant and bar.
Blair House is an attractive late Georgian residence in the ancient Saxon town of Winchcombe. It has three guest bedrooms, all charmingly decorated. Each room has a TV, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. In addition there is a sitting room for guests on the ground floor, with magazines and TV. Located within walking distance of local pubs, restaurants and shops. And also a Tourist Information Centre during the summer months.
The White Hart Inn is a 16th Century coaching inn in the centre of Winchcombe. They have eight en-suite guest rooms; all rooms have tea & coffee facilities, complementary bottled water, flat screen TV and free WI-FI. At the Wine and Sausage they believe that local produce, cooked creatively is the heart of a good restaurant. They also have a range of wines from around the world, the wine shop is next to the bar, showing off this year’s top 100 from over 2,500 wines tasted.
Following the Cotswold Way, you head north to the idyllic villages of Stanton and Broadway. On the way, you can visit Hailes Abbey and Stanway House, some of the Cotswolds’ real gems. Broadway has lured visitors for centuries and a stroll down the broad tree-lined High street is the perfect way to while away the evening.
Ascent: 425m / Descent: 425m
Set in beautiful grounds, Windrush House is located just metres from the village centre yet provides a quiet place to relax. They have a guest lounge and a large landscaped garden to chill out in. All the bedrooms have flat screen TV’s, Wi-Fi access, bathrobes and tea and coffee making facilities.They all benefit from en-suite shower rooms. They also have a small fridge available for guest use, located on the landing.
The Broadway Hotel, served over 400 years ago as a rural retreat still offers a feeling of tranquillity to be enjoyed by today’s visitors. The bedrooms are individually furnished, warm and inviting, with attention to detail in every bedroom. Each of the nineteen guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, beverage tray, hairdryer and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The Tattersalls Brasserie is in the beautiful new Atrium, the elegant, light filled brasserie offers an extensive a la carte menu with a good selection of fresh and seasonal dishes along with a choice of 31 day dry aged free range steaks.
Olive Branch, a grade II listed building, has been trading as a Guest House for nearly 70 years. It has the reputation of being a warm and friendly, family run 'home from home' with many guests returning year after year. All rooms have colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities, and hair dryers. Wifi is also available. The owner's comfortable lounge is available for you to relax in after a day’s walking. Breakfast is served in the Cotswold stone dining room with Inglenook fireplace and original flagstone floor. You will be treated to the delights of Pam’s home baking and David’s delicious English breakfast.
From the wide streets of Broadway, you will wander through bucolic farmers' fields to the iconic Broadway tower, enjoying sweeping views of the rolling Cotswolds countryside. Weaving through forests, quiet lanes and winding paths you will be immersed in the atmosphere of the countryside, passing through Chipping Campden, a quaint golden stoned village full of interesting eateries and pubs. The second leg of the walk leads you along bridleways and paths as you crest the top of a valley, enjoying impressive views of the Vale of Evesham, perhaps the only place you can see the entire vale on a clear day. You finish in the bustling town of Moreton-in-Marsh, bursting at the seams with old country pubs and evocative architecture.
Ascent: 485m / Descent: 450m
Redesdale Arms Hotel is a 17th-century coaching house which has a contemporary decor with stylish bedrooms and you can enjoy log fires in the winter and a patio garden in the summer. The rooms are spread between the original main house, dating back to 1650, and to the rear of the building in the original stable block or courtyard. Two of their rooms feature whirlpool baths and many have spacious walk-in showers. All the rooms are equipped with a TV and new king-size beds. The restaurant has an AA Rosette award and the menu boasts good quality produce including local game and vegetables, and Cornish seafood.
The White Hart Royal, with individually designed bedrooms, is a historic 17th century coaching inn. All bedrooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, mineral water and biscuits. From the revenue the hotel receives they donate the cost of a new baby tree to the local woodland trust. In this way they not only contribute towards a great local ’green’ cause, they also provide guests with the feel good factor of knowing that having an overnight stay here a little tree will grow!
Acacia Guesthouse is a small B&B in Moreton in Marsh. All rooms are equipped with flat screen tv's,, free wi-fi, tea/coffee making facilities, clock radio alarms, use of ironing board facilities, and hairdryer. Dorothy and Michael will cater for your every need with freshly soured local products for that homely breakfast. Just off the high street there is a choice of local restaurants to choose from for your evening meal.
After breakfast, your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel.
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?If your idea of heaven is beautiful green countryside, picturesque villages, delicious local food and charming B&B’s then you will adore walking in the Cotswolds.
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
This trip is graded between easy to moderate and moderate depending on which itinerary you choose. The trail follows well maintained footpaths, bridleways, open fields and some minor roads. It does involve some relatively steep ascent and descent from the escarpment and days of up to 12 miles walking. The longer days can be shortened by taking local buses or taxis.
We use handpicked, high quality B&B’s, guesthouses and country inns of typical Cotswold character. Honey coloured cottages, roaring log fires, comfortable country bedrooms and the warmest of welcomes are what we look for to make your stay extra special. We have included a few examples below to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Accommodation Location
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the tour itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability we may have to accommodate you into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.
Solo Walkers
This walking tour is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs there is a solo walker supplement payable.
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.
Most of the route is marked by a variety of waymarks. Navigation is straightforward with the Macs Adventure App which has maps, GPX tracks, and daily route info. Simply download the tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you’ll find your way.
Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
- Map: The Cotswolds. Ordnance Survey Explorer OL45 (1:25,000)
- Hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and country inn's
- All breakfasts
- Door to door baggage transfer of one bag per person.
- Detailed information, GPX tracks and route information with the Macs Adventure App
- Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.
- Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk
This tour can be best enjoyed from April to October. Spring time is particularly beautiful as all the spring flowers will be in bloom. You can start this tour on any day of the week apart from Tuesday and Wednesday, subject to availability.
Please note that accommodation in Broadway is limited and most have 2-night minimum stay requirements. Therefore if necessary we will place you in Chipping Camden for 2 nights, and include taxi transfers between here and Broadway.
Rail: Regular services connect London Paddington and Moreton-in-Marsh (1h35) .
Road: On street parking is available in Moreton-in-Marsh, there is no secure parking. Driving directions from the M40 Southbound: Leave the M40 at junction 15 (signposted to Warwick, Stratford, Coventry A46) and join the A429 southbound towards Cirencester. Continue on A429 for approx. 22 miles into Moreton-in-Marsh.
Please visit the Traveline Website or National Rail Enquiries for further information on public transport, journey planning and timetables.
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 the 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. Please contact us if you are interested in this option
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), 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.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking 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.
The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your trip. The longer days can be shortened by using taxis or public transport if you would prefer shorter days.
If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardiovascular 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.
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.
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.
We offer this trip between April and October. In our opinion there is no bad time for walking in the Cotswolds but would especially recommend the spring and autumn.
We recommend you travel by train to Moreton-in-Marsh, which is 1h30 from London Paddington. If you are driving, we recommend leaving your car in Moreton-in-Marsh where on-street parking is available.
A 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.
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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