The Cotswold Round

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.5 Read 28 reviews

Strolling through the Regency splendour of the Pittville Pump Room
Exploring the quiet lanes of picturesque Cotswold villages
Hand picked accommodation offering the warmest of welcomes
Discovering the numerous abbeys, historic houses and ruins which litter the area
Enjoying the friendly atmosphere and great food of a Cotswold country pub

Starting in the Regency town of Cheltenham this circular walk links the picturesque towns of the North Cotswolds with some of the most scenic walking in England. Walk between the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds and discover why the Cotswolds are a honey pot for walkers. Typical Cotswold cottages and villages, lush green countryside, historic houses, welcoming country pubs and inviting shops make the Cotswolds a walkers paradise and during the week you spend in the Cotswolds you are sure to fall in love with the Cotswolds over and over again.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

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. With the added treat of Cheltenham, this is my favourite week of 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

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Activity Level & Terrain

This trip is graded moderate. 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 14 miles walking. The longer days can be shortened by taking local buses or taxis.

Navigation

The Cotswolds Round is not waymarked so you will need to be comfortable reading a map and know how to use a compass. You will be supplied with turn by turn route notes and a detailed map so you will have no problems following the route each day.

Accommodations

We used 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.

Many B&B’s and hotels in the Cotswolds do not accept one night bookings for Saturday nights so occasionally we may book two nights over a weekend in one location and arrange return taxi transfers for you at no extra cost. We do this so that we can maintain the highest quality of accommodation.

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.

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, guesthouse and country inn accommodation in en-suite rooms
All breakfasts
Door to door baggage transfer
A detailed info pack, route notes and map for the lead booker
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
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage

Extras

Additional nights along the route

When To Go

You can start The Cotswold Round on any date between start of April and mid October, subject to availability.

Please note as there are limited accommodations in Broadway which accept 1 night bookings, we may have to book your overnight stay in the village of Stanton, approx 4 miles before Broadway, or if that isn't possible we will book you for 2 nights in Winchcombe and include return transfers at no extra charge between there and Broadway.

Getting to the Start

Rail: Train services connect London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa in 2hrs 15mins .

Bus: National Express coaches serve Cheltenham and take approx 3hrs 15mins.

Road: Road: Parking is at a premium in Cheltenham, if you are planning on leaving your car please contact your accommodation in Cheltenham and they will be able to suggest the most convenient
long term parking. Expect to pay about £5.50 per day for parking.

Please visit the Traveline Website or National Rail Enquiries for further information on public transport and timetables.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. Please ensure that you do not bring more than one bag of 20kg as if this occurs, the luggage transfer company will ask you to pay an additional fee for an extra bag which they will provide (£8) plus a charge of £6.00 per day for moving the extra bag. This additional payment, should it be necessary, needs to be made locally to the driver and in cash. We ask that all bags are ready for 9am and if not an additional supplement may also be payable locally to ensure that we can get your luggage to its destination on time.

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?

How far in advance do I need to book?

Can I combine my Cotswold holidays?

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?

Am I able to take my dog?

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Cheltenham Spa

Cheltenham Spa is 86 miles west of London and trains leave London Paddington every 30 minutes. The journey takes about two hours fifteen minutes by train. Cheltenham Spa is England’s most complete Regency town.

On arrival take the time to wander the elegant pavilion, squares and terraces, which are lined by distinctive Regency Townhouses complete with intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco facades. Cheltenham enjoyed great fame for almost 100 years as a Spa town following the visit of King George III and Queen Charlotte in 1788. Spa waters are still available, but no longer the sole reason to visit Cheltenham.

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.

Queens Hotel | Hotel

Queens Hotel Cheltenham offers a truly majestic setting with its décor and architecture encapsulating all the elegance, heritage and grandeur of the neo-classical era - complemented by all the contemporary features you need for a most splendid stay. The Hotel is a grand and imposing Regency property sitting right in the heart of the picturesque spa town of Cheltenham, overlooking the beautiful Imperial Gardens and Promenade. You are assured the warmest of welcomes at the hotel and the rooms offer all one would require for a most comfortable nights rest. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Number 8 Cheltenham | Bed and breakfast

The Number 8 is a victorian house completely refurbished. All rooms are light with two double glazed sash windows with wooden shutters. There are built-in cupboards and a generous selection of drinks & snacks are supplied with fresh milk.

Day 2 Cheltenham Spa to Winchcombe 7.5 miles / 12 km

The walk starts at the Pittville Pump Rooms, probably the finest example of Regency architecture in Cheltenham, set in the beautiful Pittville Park.

Leaving Cheltenham you skirt the famous racecourse and soon climb the Cotswold Escarpment at Cleeve Hill. The next six miles to Winchcombe over Cleeve Common offer some of the most enjoyable walking on the Cotswold Way. An area of open unimproved limestone grassland, the walking is sublime.

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 3 Winchcombe to Broadway 12 miles / 19.2 km Day 4 Broadway to Moreton-in-Marsh 13.1 miles / 21.1 km

Your day starts with 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 tower enjoy a gentle stroll down to the honey coloured cottages, tea rooms and gift shops of Chipping Campden.

Walking through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, wander through Broad Campden, Blockley and then to Moreton-in-Marsh one of the most important market towns in the Cotswolds, which still holds a weekly market on the wide main street.

Overnight Moreton-in-Marsh

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.

Redesdale Arms | Hotel

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.

White Hart Royal Hotel | Hotel

The White Hart Royal, with individually designed bedrooms, is a historic 17^th 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 Guest House | Bed and breakfast

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.