The Complete Cotswold Way Guided Trail

The Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is the long-distance walking trail covering 100 miles of rolling English countryside. Dotted with medieval churches, timber-framed villages, and historic stately homes, it starts in leafy-laned Chipping Campden and ends in Bath – the English spa town with over 2,000-years of Roman history.

Photo EGWT

Lavender near the Cotswold Way

Chipping Camden Sign - EGWT

Tour Overview

The icons below highlight the distance, difficulty and theme of this itinerary.

Distance

161

Days

Grade

Moderate

Theme

History /Geology / Heritage

Landscape Type

Rolling Countryside

The Cotswold Way: Chipping Campden to Bath

Every step of the journey has been carefully planned to help you make the most of your walking adventure. Click on the blue tabs below for more information.

Tour Details

This guided trail holiday is operated by HF Holidays – an award-winning British
heritage brand that has been leading the way for walking and special
interest holidays since 1913.

All HF Holidays Leaders undergo a thorough assessment before guiding a trail,
ensuring they’ve got the passion and knowledge to go beyond the guidebook and
point out plenty of highlights along the way. One of the biggest advantages is
convenience. They’ll take care of all the planning and navigation, leaving you free
to focus on the joy of the journey.

Accommodation, food, and transport to and from walks are all included in your
holiday price. You’ll stay in one of HF Holidays 16 characterful country houses where
comfortable en-suite rooms and full-board come as standard. There’s a cream tea
on arrival, a hearty daily breakfast, plus packed lunches, and three-course evening
meals. Vegetarian choices and dietary requirements can be catered for (please
give advance notice when booking).

HF Holidays grade this walk as a Level 3 – Medium to Challenging

Walks follow well-defined paths, often in hilly or upland areas or along rugged
coastal footpaths. These may be rough or steep in sections and will require levels of
reasonable fitness.

To find out more about this itinerary and make an enquiry or a booking, click on the
Enquire Now button at the top of the page. The Save to My Rucksack button allows
you to save itineraries to view later or download them as a PDF.

Itinerary

Starting in the historic market town of Chipping Campden, this trail takes you through some of England’s finest countryside scenery all the way to Bath – the English spa town with over 2,000-years of Roman history. Along the way, highlights include the ghostly ruins of the 13th century Hailes Abbey, the Jacobean-era Stanway House, and Cooper’s Hill – home of Gloucestershire’s famously weird and wonderful cheese-rolling championships.

Day 1 - Arrival

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.

Day 2 - Chipping Campden to Stanway House

We begin our walk from the market town of Chipping Campden, we follow the trail up onto Dovers Hill offering fine views of the surrounding landscapes. We descend to Broadway Tower, a folly built in 1799 by the Earl of Coventry and then on to the village of Broadway. We then continue through fields to Stanway House; famous for it’s thatched village cricket pavilion, this is a Jacobean mansion with a magnificent gateway and a wonderfully preserved tithe barn.

Distance 12 miles (19km) with 1500 feet (450m) of ascent

Day 3 - Stanway to Cleeve Common

Leaving Stanway House we follow the trail to Hailes Abbey, which was founded by the Cistercians in 1215. We then walk through Winchcombe and pass the Neolithic barrow of Belas Knapp, finishing our walk at Cleeve Common.

Distance 12miles (19km) with 1,410 feet (440m) of ascent

Day 4 - Cleeve Common to Star College

We begin the day with an ascent onto Cleeve Hill the highest point on the Cotswold Way, we then walk past Dowdeswell Reservoir and pay a visit to Seven Springs where the River Thames rises. We then pass the Devils Chimney and ascend Leckhampton Hill.

Distance 12 miles (19km) with 1,800 feet (550m) of ascent

Day 5 - Star College to Painswick

We follow the trail to Crickley Hill Country Park, where archaeologists have been at work nearly 20 years, unearthing remnants from different occupations dating back to about 4,000BC. We then walk through ancient beech woodland and up on to Cooper’s Hill, infamous for cheese rolling. We then walk along to Painswick Beacon and an iron age camp.

Distance 11 miles (17.5km) with 1,900 feet (580m) of ascent.

Day 6 - Painswick to Coaley Peak

Day 7 - Coaley Peak to Wotton Under Edge

Starting our walk today from Coaley Peak we follow the trail through the town of Dursley crossing Stichcombe Hill and passing through North Nibley. We then ascend Wotton Hill to see the Tyndale Monument, a 111 foot commemoration of William Tyndale, who was executed in 1536 for opposing Henry VIII’s divorce and translating the bible into English. We then descend to Wotton under Edge.

Distance 12 miles (19km) with 1,850 feet (560m) of ascent.

Day 8 - Wotton Under Edge to Little Sodbury

Passing through the town of Wotton we ascend Wortley Hill. We then travel through the Cotswold countryside with views of Newark Park a Grade 1 listed country house, before ending our day at the St Adeline Church in Little Sodbury.

Distance: 11 miles (17km) with 1,500 feet (450m) of ascent.

Day 9 - Little Sodbury to Cold Ashton

We leave Little Sodbury and it’s iron age hill fort and pass through the Georgian park lands of Dodington and Dyrham. We follow the Cotswold escarpment to Cold Ashton.

Distance: 10 miles (17km) with 1,180 feet (360m) of ascent.

Day 10 - Cold Ashton to Bath

We follow the trail passing through Lansdown Racecourse an area steeped in history including one of the major battles of the English Civil war. We head towards Bath passing The Royal Crescent and The Roman Baths before completing the Cotswold Way at Bath Abbey, with time to explore the beautiful city of Bath.

Distance: 10 miles (16.5km) with 1,100 feet (340m) of ascent.

Day 11 - Departure

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

Accommodation

Accommodation for this holiday is at Harrington House – HF Holidays’ Grade II-listed retreat just a skip away from the pretty Cotswolds town of Bourton-on-the-Water. There are 27 well-appointed guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior), two lounges, a licenced bar, and an attractive dining room for a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Elsewhere, there’s a handy boot and drying room, books and games to borrow during your stay, a walled garden, a large croquet lawn, and landscaped grounds.

Travel

Air

The easiest airports for travelling to the Cotswolds are Birmingham and Bristol, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours away by car. Of the two major London airports, the region is best accessed from Heathrow.

Rail

The nearest railway station to Harrington House is Moreton-in-Marsh. However, the nearest mainline station is at Cheltenham Spa which may be more convenient. For train times and general rail enquiries call 03457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk. If you are phoning from outside UK call +44 (0)20 7278 5240.

Station transfer by taxi

The 8-mile journey from Moreton-in-Marsh railway station takes approximately 20 minutes. We have negotiated a preferential rate with Limozena for all pre-booked journeys of £21 for up to 3 passengers per taxi. The 17-mile journey from Cheltenham Spa railway station takes approximately 30 minutes. The preferential rate from Limozena is £40 per taxi and they will arrange shared taxis wherever possible. Waiting may be charged after the first 10 minutes, unless notification is given at least 30 minutes before due arrival time. Please phone the mobile number to notify. Mobile: +44 (0)7966 449397. Email: denwalmsley@yahoo.co.uk

Station transfer by bus

From Moreton-in-Marsh railway station catch the 801 bus. Alight next to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Shop in Bourton-on-the-Water. Cross the road to the war memorial and continue across the bridge. Follow this road for 100 yards. Just before the road forks, Harrington House is on your left. Look out for the HF Holidays’ sign.

Taxi

From Moreton-in-Marsh, it’s a nine-mile journey taking 20 to 30 minutes at a cost of £26 if pre-booked.

From Cheltenham Spa, it’s an 18-mile journey taking 35 to 45 minutes at a cost of £46 if pre-booked.

You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Limozena*. Please note, all guide prices are for a 4-seat taxi. 8-seater taxis are also available at a higher rate.

We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:

Limozena
Tel: +44 (0)1451 820972
Email: denwalmsley@yahoo.co.uk

A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Harrington House.

*Limozena is not owned or managed by HF Holidays and prices are subject to
change.

Bus

The 801 bus goes from Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water and takes about 30 minutes. Alight next to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Shop from where it’s a short walk to Harrington House.

Car

There’s free car parking at Harrington House if you decide to drive.

Directions:
From the A429 take the road into the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water. At the war memorial by the village green, turn into Sherborne Street. Cross the narrow bridge and continue to just before the road forks. You’ll find Harrington House on the left.

Advice

This guided trail holiday involves walking as a group on well-defined paths, though often in hilly or upland areas. These may be rough and steep in sections and will require a good level of fitness. HF Holidays want you to be confident that you can meet the demands of each walking day and get the most out of your trip. Please be sure you can manage the mileage and ascent detailed in the daily itineraries. It is important for your own enjoyment and that of your fellow guests that you can maintain the pace.

Food & Drink

HF Holidays has 16 UK country houses where all stays come with full-board as standard. There’s a cream tea on arrival, a daily cooked or continental breakfast, a wide range of packed lunch options, plus three-course evening meals. Vegetarian choices and dietary requirements can be catered for (please give advance notice when booking).