The Cotswold Trail - 9 Days & 8 Nights
- Enjoy a loop hike through the delightful English countryside
- Hike through picturesque villages, gardens and ancient sites
- Savor the atmosphere at the local markets in the towns you pass through
- Overnight in Chipping Campden and see arched bridges at Burton-on-the-Water
- Revel 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 been 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 Digital TV, CD players 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.
Starting in the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, you will head off into the countryside winding through quiet fields, over gurgling streams and through dotted woodland. The way is watched over by rabbits, birds, squirrels and hawks while the waterways are full of fish from rainbow trout to giant pike. Passing through quintessential Cotswold villages, the houses, gardens and general ambience have a calming effect, harking back to simpler times. Arrive in the town of Stow-on-the-Wold, one of the most beautiful villages in the UK, and your overnight location for the night.
Ascent:Â 460 ft /Â Descent:Â 180 ft
The traditional Cotswolds Inn The Bell at Stow offers en-suite rooms alongside its cosy bar and restaurant. Each guest room includes a flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod dock and tea and coffee facilities, as well as handmade shortbread and a decanter of port. All rooms have an en-suite shower with a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. Their restaurant menu features British and international dishes, with coffee, sandwiches and salads available each afternoon. An impressive wine list features European and New World vintages and a selection of high-quality champagnes.
Stuart House is part of the Bell at Stow. Each elegantly furnished guest room includes a flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod dock and tea and coffee facilities. All rooms have an en-suite shower with a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
Set in the heart of beautiful countryside, The Old Stocks Inn truly is a jewel in the Crown of the Cotswolds. This unique Inn is a 17th century former coaching Inn brought to life! Feauturing modern up to date design, you will feel relaxed in luxurious surroundings. Why not try their excellent cuisine, highly reviewed in various newspapers? There is only one word to describe this hotel - unique.
Leaving Stow-on-the-Wold behind, it’s not long before you come to Lower Slaughter, which despite its name is another gem of a town. Lower Slaughter's Copse Hill Road was voted the most romantic street in Britain, and you can see why with its gentle waterways, low stone bridges and stunning architecture. The day ends in Bourton-on-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds it is the highlight of many people's visit to the area. Expect more delightful waterways and bridges, plentiful pubs and restaurants and tasteful shopping.
Ascent:Â 30 ft /Â Descent:Â 305 ft
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. A day of delightful Cotswold villages, wide open views and first-class walking lie ahead as you make your way to the quaint village of Naunton
Ascent: 230 ft / Descent: 130 ft
Millview Guest House was built in 1943 and was originally called No. 2 Agricultural Cottages, having been built for local essential farm workers during the war. Each room has a colour television, hair dryer and tea and coffee making facilities. A hospitality tray with nibbles, biscuits, Horlicks, Ovaltine, and sherry is also provided for your enjoyment. Each room has an en-suite shower room with wash basin and W.C. They open their living rooms to their guests where you can sit more comfortably to chat, read or watch television. They do have two small cats, who are very friendly but not allowed into any of the guest bedrooms.
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.
Leaving Naunton walk along the rolling Cotswold countryside towards the popular town of Winchcombe. The highlight comes towards the end of the day as you cross the Cotswold escarpment and look down to Sudeley Castle and see Winchcombe valley and beyond.
Ascent:Â 640 ft /Â Descent:Â 740 ft
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 little village of Stanton. On the way, you can visit Hailes Abbey and Stanway House, some of the Cotswolds’ real gems.Â
Ascent:Â 755 ft /Â Descent:Â 670 ft
Shenberrow is a country house in 8 acres of North Cotswolds’s little village of Stanton. All rooms for comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms and all the usual comforts in the way of TV & tea & coffee making facilities.
Bed & Breakfast is offered in Jill's antique and flower-filled Cotswold house. Jill's breakfasts are legendary and will set you up for a day of activity. The choice of rooms each with en-suite shower and wash basin, sharing two hallway wc's. Additionally there is a double room with private bath and wc.
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.
Pass through Broadway which has lured visitors for centuries with its cosy little tearooms, before a steady climb to Broadway Tower, a unique Capability Brown folly tower. Located at the second highest point on the Cotswold Escarpment it offers one of the finest views in England. After enjoying the views from the tower enjoy a gentle stroll down to the honey-coloured cottages, tea rooms and gift shops of Chipping Campden.
Ascent:Â 1250 ft /Â Descent:Â 1380 ft
The Volunteer Inn is a 17th century pub with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. They have cobbled courtyard and well maintained gardens which can be enjoyed during the summer months and a warm cosy log fire in the winter. Rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require. Please note that the pub is popular on the weekends and therefore you will hear some noise but we will try and accommodate you in a room as far away from the bar as possible.
A warm welcome awaits you at Park Road B&B, they are family run and have 2 lovely en-suite guest rooms. Their rooms are centrally heated with tea & coffee making facilities and all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.
This tea room has en-suite accommodation upstairs. All rooms are tastefully decorated with a comfortable and cosy feel. The Bantam Tea Rooms was built in 1693 and directly overlooks the 17th Century Market Hall. There is also a peaceful, private guest lounge and on those cold mornings you can enjoy your delicious breakfast by the roaring log fire.
A final delightful day of walking through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds wanders through Broad Campden, Blockley and then to Moreton-in-Marsh where your journey began.
Ascent:Â 885 ft /Â Descent:Â 885 ft
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 Digital TV, CD players 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. Â
This trip has a carbon score of 7kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 7kg is equivalent to 1 single running shoe (not even a pair!). 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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This is a popular itinerary at Macs because it is our most leisurely option with plenty of time to explore the charming Cotswold villages and towns. The hiking days along the circuit are split fairly evenly. This itinerary includes nights in Lower Slaughter and Chipping Campden, both classic villages and market towns. It also incorporates a day for an optional hike or a day exploring the picturesque town of Burton-on-the-Water, famous for its low arched bridges and stone houses. Choose this option if you wish to savor the journey and you have the time.
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 in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle 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 hiking. 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 hiking 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 on any date that suits your travel plans, subject to availability.
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.
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. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good hiking boots or shoes, sun hat, sun screen and a day pack. For the summer months lightweight clothing. and the winter months warmer clothes along with a hat and gloves.
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good hiking boots or shoes, sun hat, sun screen and a day pack. For the summer months lightweight clothing. and the winter months warmer clothes along with a hat and gloves.
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.
We would recommend Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and Hidcote, famous for its rare trees and shrubs. Click here for a full list of Gardens and Arboreta in the Cotswolds.
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.Â
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.Â
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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