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The Cotswold Trail - 9 Days & 8 Nights

9 Days & 8 Nights 4.4 Read 64 reviews
  • 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
This itinerary is ideal for those who prefer their adventure a little gentler and want time to discover the hidden Cotswolds. The walk takes you between the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds and discover why the Cotswolds are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The trail meanders through the beautiful rolling Cotswold countryside visiting honey coloured villages, historic houses, immaculate gardens and ancient sites. Your walk begins in Moreton-in-Marsh, a bustling market town with excellent rail links to London. Heading south through the classic Cotswold countryside you pass through a series of impossibly beautiful villages before you reach Bourton-on-the-Water, a Cotswold gem. The route then turns west to Winchcombe before looping back to Moreton-in-Marsh via Stanton, Broadway and Chipping Campden. Typical Cotswold cottages and villages, lush green countryside, historic houses, welcoming country pubs and inviting shops make the Cotswolds a walkers paradise and you are sure to fall in love with this magical corner of England.
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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.

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

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.

Navigation

Most of the route is marked by a variety of waymarks but you need to be able to able to read a map and follow route descriptions closely. In addition to the printed route notes, you will receive in your travel pack, you will also have access to our Macs Adventure App, allowing you to follow the route on richly detailed mapping on your smartphone.

Accommodations

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.

Included
  • Hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and country inn's
  • All breakfasts
  • Door to door baggage transfer of one bag per person.
  • A detailed information pack, route notes 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
  • Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Extras
  • Additional nights before, during or after the walk

When To Go

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.

Getting to the Start

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.

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 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 gardens can I visit in the area?
What ruins/history/country houses can I see along the way?
What personal equipment do I need?
When is the best time of year?
What is the best way to get to/from the walk?
How do baggage transfers work?
Am I able to take my dog?
What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Moreton-in-Marsh Day 2 Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold 6.5 miles / 10.5 km Day 3 Stow-on-the-Wold to Bourton-on-the-Water 4.5 miles / 7 km Day 4 Bourton-on-the-Water to Naunton 4.5 miles / 7.5 km Day 5 Naunton to Winchcombe 8 miles / 13 km Day 6 Winchcombe to Broadway 12 miles / 19.5 km Day 7 Broadway to Chipping Campden 6 miles / 10 km Day 8 Chipping Campden to Moreton-in-Marsh 7 miles / 11.5 km Day 9 Onward Travel

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