Create an account

Start your adventure today.

    0

    Already a member? Login

    Cotswolds

    Walks in The Cotswolds

    Region in England, United Kingdom

    Cotswolds Walks

    Cotswolds walks are one of the best ways to bask in the honey-hued thatched cottages and charming villages that are scattered across the undulating terrain of this region. Instead of thinking about tired limbs carrying you across the rolling hills, your eyes will be fixated on the magical scenery unfolding in front of you—whether you’re immersed in a natural setting or passing through a village harking to medieval times. Carved throughout the English countryside, you’ll find a plethora of paths leading you over hills to stunning views overlooking the countryside or into quirky villages adorned with charm. Cotswolds walks are definitely the key to this wanderer’s wonderland!

    A popular route in the Cotswolds is the long-distance Cotswold Way, which stretches across 164km and takes you along the National Trail. This is a great way to immerse in the magical scenery glittering this historic area and its phenomenal villages, but you can always take on a section or two of the route to catch a glimpse of what it’s all about. However, outside of the National Trail, you will find a collection of incredible Cotswolds walks with routes packed into the six counties that make up the region.

    The 10 Greatest Walks in The Cotswolds AONB

    Experience surreal, historical scenery on some of the greatest walks in the Cotswolds! You’ll find a selection of walks that cater to all fitness levels and age groups, making this a fun place for anyone to explore the undulating countryside etched with fascinating imagery and ancient tales. Start your adventure by checking out some of the incredible Cotswolds walks listed below!

    1. Newark Park Loop

    2. Marvel at the green-cloaked scenery stretching across the Newark estate. This family-friendly loop curves through woodlands, meadows decorated with wildflowers while also unveiling exceptional Newark house and garden views!

    3. Cleeve Hill - Winchcombe Circular Walk

    4. Take on a steeper incline on the Cleeve Hill - Winchcombe Circular Walk! Stretching across 14.8km and boasting an elevation of 467m, this walk is one of the more challenging ones in the region, but the views from atop Cleeve Hill are incredible. Walk along a section of the Cotswold Way National Trail!

    5. Great Barrington Circular Walk

    6. Revel in the Gloucestershire countryside while you meander above the village of Great Barrington on the 8.2km Great Barrington Circular Walk. Look out for Skylarks, sheep, and cattle as you wander along this easy-to-follow trail!

    7. Chedworth Roman Villa Walk

    8. Intertwine history with adventure on the family-friendly Chedworth Roman Villa Walk! After leaving charming Chedworth village behind, the countryside will envelop you as you search for the ruins of a Roman villa. The National Trust operates this site!

    9. Westonbirt Arboretum Walk

    10. The Westonbirt Arboretum Walk takes you on a magical loop through a collection of various tree and plant species! Enjoy walking along the aerial walkway along the Silk Wood area of the park. Do note that dogs are allowed in only some sections of this park but not in the old Arboretum, so you’ll have to skip this section. However, they will enjoy the off-leash area on this walk.

    11. Painswick and Slad Loop

    12. Enjoy a blend of countryside and historic villages on the Painswick to Slad Loop. This 11.7km walk takes you along fields and streams, dipping you deep in the serenity of the lovely English countryside!

    13. Cotswold Way: Birdlip to Painswick

    14. Take on a section of the famous Cotswold Way on the one-way Birdlip to Painswick route! Meander through secluded woodland and revel in the relaxing views as you travel between two villages exploding with history. You’ll also pass by Cooper’s Hill, which is where the Cheese Rolling Festival takes place.

    15. Bourton on the Hill and Sezincote House Loop

    16. Bourton on the Hill and Sezincote House Loop begins from the charming Bourton on the Hill before immersing you in stunning quintessential Cotswolds scenery: pastures and history. En route, you’ll discover the Sezincote estate, harking back to 200 years ago!

    17. Castle Combe and Nettleton Mill Walk

    18. Explore one of the most idyllic villages in the Cotswolds: Castle Comb. Admire the ancient stories spanning this village and the pretty countryside on this family-friendly loop! You’ll also stop by Nettleton Mill, a historic location. Talk about a walk with the perfect blend of history and natural beauty!

    19. Cleeve Common Circular Walk

    20. Take your family on the 8.7km Cleeve Common Circular Walk and bask in the countryside scenery rolling across the land. However, your heart rate will pick up as you climb Cleeve Hill to the highest point in the Cotswolds! Spend a moment at the top to take in the pastoral views, which bleed into Wales (you can see this on a clear day!).

    When Is The Best Time To Walk in the Cotswolds?

    To avoid super wet weather, the best time to walk in the Cotswolds is between the end of March and the start of October. During this period many Cotswolds walks will have dry trail conditions, making the summer months the ideal time to head out on an adventure.

    Best Regions for Walking in the Cotswolds

    To take advantage of some of the best walks stretching across the Cotswolds, kickstart your time in this historic area by staying in Winchcombe. Some even call this the walking capital of the Cotswolds! Plus, the village unravels like an unspoiled magical ancient painting.

    Other Outdoor Activities in the Cotswolds

    Outside of Cotswold walks, other popular activities in the Cotswolds include cycling and horseback riding! Cyclists will enjoy the routes ranging from on-road to off-road, as well as ones that stretch across a variety of distances, making it fun to choose a path that tailors to your exercise mood of the day. Meanwhile, horseback riders will appreciate the long-distance Sabrina Way, as well as a few shorter rides carved into the area. Lastly, the 164km Cotswold Way is a long-distance walk worth adding to your bucket list!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds?

    While the Cotswolds AONB boasts a surplus of beautiful villages, Castle Combe ranks as the prettiest—and not just in the Cotswolds, but all of England.

    What is the main town in the Cotswolds?

    Most refer to Cirencester as the Capital of the Cotswolds! It’s a lively market town worth visiting, for sure.

    What are some big attractions in the Cotswolds?

    Some major attractions include Gloucester Cathedral, The Roman Baths, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Cotswold Distillery, Sudeley Castle, to name a few.

    Find more walking regions

    Or use this link to find all walking regions in the UK.

    Download the 10Adventures App

    View Walks in The Cotswolds on Map

    View Map

    Best Hikes in The Cotswolds

    Open details for Rollright Stones Circular Walk

    Rollright Stones Circular Walk

    Easy
    8.5 km
    268 m
    2-3h

    The Rollright Stones Circular Walk is a great outdoor activity in the northeastern part of The Cotswolds AONB that will lead you through a lovely stretch of English countryside to visit an interesting historical site. The trail sets out from the charming village of Salford and traverses the open farmland and rolling hills to the northeast before arriving at the Rollright Stones, a series of Neolithic and Bronze Age limestone monuments. This is a fantastic day-walk for anyone that is interested in local history.

    User Ratings
    Overall Rating
    8.0
    Open details for Broadway Tower Walk

    Broadway Tower Walk

    Moderate
    6.4 km
    239 m
    2-2.5h

    The Broadway Tower Walk is a truly outstanding adventure that will take you uphill to visit a stone folly that was built for Lady Coventry at the tailend of the 1700s. The trail will see you climb uphill for the majority of its length, with the ultimate reward being a commanding sightline over England that encompasses 16 different counties on a clear day. Although it is a bit of a grind, the route is a great way to spend an afternoon exploring the picturesque terrain of The Cotswolds AONB.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Newark Park Loop

    Newark Park Loop

    Easy
    3.9 km
    142 m
    1-1.5h

    The Newark Park Loop makes its way through the 700 acres of the Newark estate. This easy trail wanders through the woodlands of the Cotswolds escarpment and across endless meadows full of wildflowers. The trail also offers beautiful views of the Newark house and garden, which makes it the perfect way to extend your visit to the estate.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Cleeve Hill – Winchcombe Circular Walk

    Cleeve Hill – Winchcombe Circular Walk

    Moderate
    14.8 km
    467 m
    4-5.5h

    Take a beautiful walk through the Cotswolds countryside on the Cleeve Hill – Winchcombe Circular trail. This scenic walk begins in the picturesque town of Winchcombe and takes you along the Cotswold Way National Trail into tranquil farmland. Follow the trail to discover an ancient burial monument and the panoramic views from the top of Cleeve Hill.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Great Barrington Circular Walk

    Great Barrington Circular Walk

    Easy
    8.2 km
    365 m
    2.5-3.5h

    The Great Barrington Circular Walk explores the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside above the village of Great Barrington. The rolling hills and easy paths allow you to focus your full attention on the splendid views that surround you. You’re likely to see Skylarks and other birds, as well as sheep and cattle along your trail.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Chedworth Roman Villa Walk

    Chedworth Roman Villa Walk

    Easy
    3.7 km
    144 m
    1-1.5h

    Chedworth is a charming quintessential Cotswold village, and it’s also the gateway to an even older settlement. The Chedworth Roman Villa Walk leaves the village behind, so you can enjoy walking through the lush countryside and woodlands in search of the remains of one of Britain’s largest Roman villas. Take a break from your walk to explore this incredible ancient site that is operated by the National Trust.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Minster Lovell and Crawley Circular Walk

    Minster Lovell and Crawley Circular Walk

    Moderate
    5.8 km
    122 m
    1.5-2h

    Walking the Minster Lovell and Crawley Circular is a fun adventure in the southeast corner of The Cotswolds AONB that will produce some lovely views of the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside. The route travels between the villages of Minster Lovell and Crawley, taking you past charming stone cottages and picturesque farmlands before leading you on a riverside walk along the banks of the River Windrush. There are a few climbs and descents along the route, but overall it is a perfect walk for a nice weekend outing.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Westonbirt Arboretum Walk

    Westonbirt Arboretum Walk

    Easy
    7.8 km
    97 m
    1.5-2.5h

    The Westonbirt National Arboretum features trails through a fantastic collection of over 2500 species of trees and plants. Take the circular Westonbirt Arboretum Walk to explore the perimeter trails and the old arboretum. This beautiful nature walk includes the new aerial walkway through the Silk Wood section of the park.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Elmley Castle Walk

    Elmley Castle Walk

    Moderate
    8.7 km
    236 m
    2-3h

    The Elmley Castle Walk is a scenic adventure in The Cotswolds AONB that will lead you uphill for some beautiful views of the surrounding Worcestershire countryside. While out on the trail, you will make your way across some open countryside to visit the village of Great Comberton before climbing up the forested hillside to the southwest for some lovely views of rolling green hills and charming cottages. While parts of this walk are physically demanding, the excellent views are more than enough of a reward.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews
    Open details for Painswick to Slad Loop

    Painswick to Slad Loop

    Easy
    11.7 km
    414 m
    3-4.5h

    Explore the beautiful South Cotswolds on the Painswick to Slad Loop. This lovely walk shows off some of the most beautiful walking country and the charming historic villages of Painswick and Slad. You’ll enjoy the bucolic views from the tops of rolling hills, and the tranquility of walking along the fields and streams of the English countryside.

    User Ratings
    No Reviews

    Change happens, fees shouldn't

    Essential Tools for Any Adventure

    Find a hotel in some of the most beautiful locations on earth.

    Book your own car to have complete freedom on your next adventure.

    Gear-up for your next adventure.

    This page may include affiliate links. We may get a small commission for the purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
    We only recommend tools we personally think are great.

    Related regions

    Change happens, fees shouldn't

    Recent Stories

    Open details for Planning a trip to the Lake District

    Planning a trip to the Lake District

    By Lukas Saville
    July 6th, 2019
    Open details for A Guide to Winter Hiking in the Lake District

    A Guide to Winter Hiking in the Lake District

    By Richard Campbell
    January 12th, 2019
    Open details for The Ultimate Guide to South Downs National Park

    The Ultimate Guide to South Downs National Park

    By Richard Campbell
    April 13th, 2018
    Open details for Planning Your Trip to The Chilterns

    Planning Your Trip to The Chilterns

    By Richard Campbell
    October 22nd, 2017
    Detailed Route Guides
    Real GPS Coordinates
    Reliable Trail Reports
    Experienced-Based Travel Tips
    GPS App
    Extensive Travel Guides

    Get travel inspiration and discounts

    Join our weekly travel newsletter