Escape to the Cotswolds

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.6 Read 201 reviews

Strolling through the picturesque Cotswold villages.
Relaxing in handpicked, luxurious and welcoming accommodation.
Discovering the history of the area through abbeys, ruins and the glorious Sudeley Castle.
Some of the best views English countryside has to offer.

Explore the Highlights of the Cotswolds Way on this walking holiday through quintessential England. You will explore the Chocolate-box Cotswold villages of Broadway and Stanton as well as a host of interesting historical sights. The Cotswold Way is one of the UK's finest National Trails and on this trip, you will be able to explore the very best of what the route has to offer. Delightful woodland walking and idyllic rolling English landscapes show off the 'Green and Pleasant Land,' that rural England is famed for. The Cotswolds also has an abundance of delicious local produce and you will be able to stock up on the all-important calories you burn off on your walk, by feasting in a wide array of excellent local tearooms, cosy pubs and local bakeries.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

If you only have a few days available for walking in the Cotswolds, this short break will let you experience the best of the Cotswold villages and some fantastic walking.

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:

Short Break

Activity Level & Terrain

Escape to the Cotswolds is graded easy to moderate overall. You will pass through rolling hills and some steep ups and downs as well as historical sights of interest.The trail is on well-maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields, golf courses and on some minor roads. It does involve some steep ascents and descents from the escarpment.

Navigation

The Cotswold Way is well waymarked and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simple and you cannot get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.

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

4 Nights in hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels.
Door to door baggage transfers.
A detailed information pack, guide book and maps.
Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.

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 this tour any time between April and October subject to availability. Please note that this tour is not available to start on a Saturday or Sunday due to restrictions with accommodation.

Getting to the Start

Rail: Train services connect London to Moreton-on-Marsh (2hrs) and Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon (1hr). 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.

Getting from the End

Rail: The nearest train station to Charlton Kings where you will be staying on your last night is Cheltenham which is approx 3 miles away. The train from Cheltenham to London takes approx 2 hours or approx 1hr 30 to Bath.

If you have left a car in Chipping Campden getting back from Cheltenham on public transport takes about 3 hours. Please visit Traveline for further information.

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.

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?

Navigation

How far in advance do I need to book?

What personal equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

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

Leaving Stanton you soon arrive at the hamlet of Church Stanway and the ornate gatehouse and tithe barn of Stanway House. From here there is a steep climb up to Stumps Cross and onto the Iron Age Hill Fort of Beckbury Camp for commanding views over the surrounding area. A short descent takes you down to the remains of the medieval Hailes Abbey then continuing over the fields and into Winchcombe.

Ascent: 210m / Descent: 235m

Overnight Winchcombe

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Lion Inn | Inn

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 | Bed and breakfast

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.

White Hart Inn | Country Inn

The White Hart Inn is a 16^th 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.

Day 4 Winchcombe to Charlton Kings 12 miles / 19 km

You begin with a scenic and historically interesting six-mile stretch to Cleeve Hill. The magnificent Sudeley Castle is soon followed by a Roman Villa and Belas Knap, a huge Neolithic burial chamber. A walk-up to Cleeve Hill summit is the penultimate section of this walk - the highest point of the Cotswold Way, offering outstanding views from the Cotswold escarpment. Not too far from here you will then descend and continue on towards the path where you will cut off to Charlton Kings.

Due to a lack of suitable accommodation in Charlton Kings, you will likely be overnighting in Cheltenham instead. An included taxi transfer will take you to Cheltenham from the London Inn on London Road not far from the end of the walk.

Ascent: 450m / Descent: 455m

Overnight Cheltenham

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Cotswold Grange Hotel | Hotel

Cotswold Grange is an independent hotel situated in a quiet leafy avenue of similar grand buildings. Rooms are equipped with a TV, radio, tea/coffee-making facilities. Beds have deep mattresses and crisp white linen sheets. Ornately decorated, the high ceilinged dining room has huge windows.

No 38. The Park | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

No.38 The Park offers a luxurious stay and a sublime selection of sustenance in the restaurant to fuel your adventures. In each one of the beautiful bespoke bedrooms, bold statement prints and mismatched textures are the order of the day. All of the bedrooms at No.38 The Park are dog friendly. No.38 The Park uniquely combines the luxury of a hotel with the independence of a bed and breakfast creating a warm and homely feel.

The George Cheltenham | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

The George is inspired by the origniality and diversity of the local area.The George is approachable, warm and friendly and big on design and living like a local. The George offers 46 deisgn-led rooms which come equipped with blackout curtains, rainfall shower, Wi-Fi and a Smart TV. There is contactless check-in, a 24-hour pantry, and drop-and-go check-out. There are leisure amenities available, which can be booked through front of house team.

Day 5 Depart Cheltenham