Cotswold Way (The North)

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.6 Read 201 reviews
  • Walk the northern section of the Cotswolds Way from Chipping Camden to Bath.
  • Enjoying the warm and friendly atmosphere of a Cotswold country pub
  • Broadway, Stanton and Chipping Campden
  • Marvelling at the stunning views from Broadway Tower
  • Wandering through the quiet lanes of picturesque Cotswold villages
Walk the northern section of the Cotswold Way through the finest scenery of the Cotswolds from Chipping Campden to Painswick. A five day and 45 mile walk on the Cotswold Way through some of the finest scenery in England. The Northern Cotswold Way explores the quintessential English countryside of the Cotswolds. A beautiful green landscape of rolling farmland, quiet woods and picturesque villages steeped in history. Choose this itinerary if you want to explore the best of the Cotswolds on foot but don't have time to walk the full Cotswold Way. Revel in the stunning views from Broadway Tower, a round stone folly inspired by Capability Brown. Enjoy afternoon tea in a cosy tearoom in one of the many quaint Cotswold villages you pass through and admire the colourful gardens of the locals.
The northern section of the Cotswold Way is the most scenic and a perfect taster of walking in the Cotswolds, averaging just 9 miles walking each day. It is graded moderate and there are some steep ascents and descents at times.

Tour Type:

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!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Long-Distance Trails

Activity Level & Terrain

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.

Navigation

The Cotswold Way is a National Trail and is fully waymarked and easy to follow. A comprehensive guidebook and map are supplied.We also provide access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App upon which you can follow the GPS tracks on your phone if you wish.

Experience & Fitness

The Escape to the Cotswold is a classic inn-to-inn walking tour at heart, most of the walks on the tour are graded easy to moderate (therefore the tour collectively is graded as easy to moderate), however, there is a single walk that is graded moderate. For those that would rather spend some more time in the pubs or cafes or those simply looking for an easier day, there are options to either shorten the walks or take public transport on most days.

Accommodations

One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. You will stay in carefully selected B&B’s, guesthouses and small hotels. Your room will always have an ensuite or private bathroom. A delicious breakfast is always included.

Alternative accommodation

During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard as those described.

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.

Solo Walkers

This walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs their is a solo walker supplement payable.

Included
  • 6 Nights accommodation in hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
  • 6 Breakfasts
  • Daily door to door baggage transfer
  • A detailed pre-departure information pack, maps & guidebook
  • Emergency support
Excluded
  • Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk.
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Personal Equipment.
Extras
  • Extra nights

When To Go

You can start The Cotswold Way North on any day between April and October subject to availability. The Cotswolds are very popular so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to.

Getting to the Start

Train services connect London to Moreton-in-Marsh (2h) and Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon (1h). If you wish to take a taxi from Moreton-in-Marsh this will need to be booked ahead of time as there is no taxi rank at the station or in the town. The cost is about £25. Please check the following website for taxi information and to pre-book. Or you can walk from the station to the Corn Exchange (a 5 minute walk) and from here you can take a bus to Chipping Camden. It is the Line 22 bus, it takes approximately 25 minutes and the buses leave hourly (approx £3 cost). Please note buses do not run on Sundays.

Getting from the End

Taxi or bus services are available for the 4 miles from Painswick to Stroud. From Stroud there are train services to London.Please check the National Rail Enquiries for train times and schedules and the also the National Express website for bus times and schedules

Luggage Transfer

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.

General Information

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.

Equipment

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.

Travel Insurance

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.

How fit do I need to be?
How far in advance do I need to book?
What personal equipment do I need?
When is the best time of year?
How do the baggage transfers work?
What is the best way to get to/from the walk?
Am I able to take my dog?
What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Chipping Campden Day 2 Chipping Campden to Stanton 10.5 miles / 17 km Day 3 Stanton to Winchcombe 8 miles / 12.5 km Day 4 Winchcombe to Seven Springs 14.5 miles / 23 km Day 5 Seven Springs to Birdlip 8 miles / 12.5 km Day 6 Birdlip to Painswick 7.5 miles / 12 km Day 7 Onward Travel

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