Complete Cotswold Way in 9 days

England
Walking
Self-Guided
Cotswold Way

Complete Cotswold Way in 9 days

Prices

From $1,250USD

Difficulty

Self-guided

Hotels / B&B

Start Your Booking

Highlights

Walk over 100 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath on this self-guided walking holiday

Walk through the English countryside and the incredible history of the Cotswolds.

Enjoy fantastic views of the English countryside and small Cotswold villages.

Visit well-known landmarks and parks, including Crickley Hill Country Park, Standish Woods, Dodington Park, and Dyrham Park.

Stay in centuries-old farmhouses and coaching inns, modernized and converted to hotels or bed and breakfasts, but retaining their authentic historic character.

Walk the entire Cotswold Way National Trail on this 9-day self-guided walking tour. You’ll walk just over 100 miles, and following the Cotswold Way allows you to explore this beautiful region on foot, passing through local villages and guiding you to a wide variety of historical sites and scenic overlooks.

From the remains of Iron-Age hill forts to grander structures such as Sudeley Castle and William and Mary’s Dyrham Park, and a little bit of everything in between, there is so much to see and do in the Cotswolds. Walking the Cotswold Way shows you all the highlights. This self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace. Linger a little longer at the sites that interest you and keep walking past those that don’t.

You’ll enjoy the charm and character of your accommodations each night. Stay in centuries-old farmhouses and coaching inns that have been renovated for your comfort but retain their original character. Meet hosts and hostesses that go above and beyond to meet your needs and introduce you to this incredible region they call home. You’ll love every minute of your Cotswold Way 9-day walking tour!

Cotswold Way 9-day Walking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Chipping Campden

Arrive in the charming market town of Chipping Campden, settle in your hotel, and get a good night’s rest in preparation for your tour. This historic town has well-preserved historic features that date from as early as the 14th Century. The town received a charter in 1175 from King Henry II and is an early example of town planning. “Chipping” comes from the Old English word for market.

Overnight Location
The Red Lion Inn, Chipping Campden
Distance
N/A
Meals
None

Day 2 Chipping Campden to Wood Stanway

Leave town and begin the Cotswold Way trail which first leads out onto the Cotswold escarpment. Along your walk today you will enjoy the incredible view from Dover’s Hill, the site of annual “Olimpick” games dating back to 1612. Continue walking across the lovely fields to the Broadway Tower and pass through Broadway village, which is well-known for its connection to the Arts and Crafts movement. The trail continues to the lovely village of Stanton, which is built entirely out of Cotswold stone. From Stanton, it is but a short and easy stroll to reach Wood Stanway, where you will stop for the night.

Please note that Wood Stanway is a very small place, so if you would like dinner you should book your meal ahead of time.

Overnight Location
Wood Stanway Farmhouse, Wood Stanway
Distance
12.5 miles / 20 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 3 Wood Stanway to Cleeve Hill

Today begins with a steep but rewarding climb up to the escarpment. Enjoy the amazing view across the Vale of Evesham toward the Malverns. Continue along the trail and pass Beckbury Camp, a hill fort from the Iron Age. Walk through peaceful farmland until you reach the town of Winchcombe. This town is proud to be certified that “Walkers are Welcome” and offers plenty of history to explore from the Neolithic, Roman, and Medieval time periods.

Don’t miss Sudeley Castle and Gardens, the UK’s only private castle and burial place for the last wife of Henry VIII, Catherine Parr. Leave Winchcombe via the Sudeley Estate, climbing steadily up to Belas Knap, a long barrow from the Neolithic period. After this, you will soon reach Cleeve Hill, which is the highest point on the Cotswold Way and your home for the night.

Overnight Location
Cleeve Hill Hotel, Cleeve Hill
Distance
11.5 miles / 18.5 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 4 Cleeve Hill to Birdlip

Walk from the Cleeve Hill Hotel back to the Cleeve Hill viewpoint to start your day with an inspiring view. Continue across Cleeve Common for more fantastic vistas out to Gloucester and the Malvern Hills in the distance. Follow the trail from there to the Charlton Kings Common for more amazing views, this time over Cheltenham and the Severn Vale. The trail continues along the escarpment and passes the Seven Springs to reach Leckhampton Hill and Devil’s Chimney, a very distinctive rock pillar. From Leckhampton Hill the trail leads you into Crickley Hill Country Park, where you will find more overlooks alongside archaeological information and a cafe that is a nice place to stop for rest and refreshments. Cross the rolling grassland hills of Barrow Wake, then follow the path through the woods. You’ll emerge from the woods at Birdlip, which is where you will stop for the night.

Note: Many people enjoy turning off of the Cotswold Way trail at Leckhampton Hill to spend an extra day visiting Cheltenham. You can reach Cheltenham by foot via the Gustav Holst Way, or take a taxi into town, and return to the trail the same way later. Cheltenham is a charming town that offers a wonderful foodie scene as well as museums dedicated to Gustav Holst and Edward Wilson, famous sons of Cheltenham. It is the UK’s most complete Regency Town and visitors can explore extensive architecture from the period.

Overnight Location
The Royal George, Birdlip
Distance
16.5 miles / 26.5 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 5 Birdlip to King’s Stanley

As you leave Birdlip, the path takes you past the ruins of the Great Witcombe Roman Villa, then through a wonderful beech forest. Soon you’ll come to Cooper’s Hill, which is the location for a crazy cheese-rolling event held annually in May in which a wheel of cheese is rolled down a steep hill and competitors “race” it to the bottom. Continue along the trail to the Painswick Beacon common land, where you can clearly see the remaining ramparts of a hill fort from the Iron Age. Proceed from there to Painswick.

Painswick is the midpoint of the Cotswold Way National Trail. Fans of J.K. Rowling might remember it from her novel, “A Casual Vacancy” and it is the location of the Rococo Gardens, which are well-worth visiting if you have time. In the churchyard in Painswick, notice that there are 99 yew trees there which were planted in the 1800s. According to legend, if they planted a 100th tree, the devil would destroy it. To celebrate the millennium, the church defied the legend and planted one more yew tree at the rear of the building, where it remains and thrives.

After Painswick, follow the trail across the Wash Brook then climb up to the Edge Common. Then enjoy a woodland section of the trail that emerges from the trees at Haresfield Beacon. Here you can see more bulwarks from another Iron-Age hill fort, along with a lovely view of the escarpment and the River Severn. Descend gently from here through the Standish Woods, delightfully carpeted with wood anemone and bluebells in the spring and an abundance of ferns in the summer. Emerge from this fairy wonderland into the Stroud Valley and cross grassy pastures to reach King’s Stanley, which is where you will stop for the night.

Overnight Location
Orchardene B&B, King’s Stanley
Distance
16.5 miles / 26.5 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 6 King’s Stanley to Wotton-under- Edge

Get ready for a lot of climbing today, rewarded by fantastic views. As you exit King’s Stanley, follow the trail to Dursley, then make the steep climb up to Stinchcombe Hill. Continue steeply upward to reach the 111-foot-tall Tyndale Monument, in memory of William Tyndale who was born nearby. You’ll also see the Brackenbury Camp Hillfort and a fantastic view of Wotton-under-Edge, which is where you will end your walk today. Follow the trail from here to the village of Alderly, through a lower woodland area, then climb again up to the Somerset Monument. Make your way to the town of Wotton-under-Edge, where you can find many listed buildings, enjoy a number of independent shops and restaurants, and spend the night.

Overnight Location
The Swan Hotel, Wotton-under-Edge
Distance
13.5 miles / 22 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 7 Wotton-under- Edge to Tormarton

Today, the Cotswold Way follows Bath Lane past an old drover’s pond heading south toward Horton. The Horton Court property is believed to be the oldest vicarage in England and it is a National Trust property. Climb from Horton Court to Horton Fort and pause to take in the extensive view of the magnificent Severn Vale. Continue across the farmlands to the villages of Horton and Old Sodbury. After Old Sodbury, you’ll pass through Dodington Park, which is a wonderful parkland designed by architect Capability Brown in the 18th Century. A short walk from here brings you to Tormarton, which is your home for the night.

Overnight Location
Chestnut Farm B&B, Tormarton
Distance
16 miles / 26 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 8 Tormarton to Bath

You’ve come to the final stretch of trail! Leave Tormarton and head south on the trail which follows Marshfield Road. Remain on the trail across arable land, eventually coming to a path that passes around Dyrham Park’s perimeter wall. Dyrham Park is a William and Mary mansion built in an ancient deer park. Climb from here up the trail through the forest to reach Cold Ashton, then descend into a lovely and secluded valley near Lower Hamswell. You’ll pass Little Down promontory hill fort and the well-known Bath Racecourse. You see more and more glimpses of the city of Bath in the valley below you and you’ll notice the trail becoming more urban in its final few miles. You’ll pass through a number of parks and see plenty of regency architecture before coming to Bath Abbey. Here, in the pavement outside the ornate western doors, you’ll find a carved stone disc that marks the end of the Cotswold Way.

Congratulations, you made it! Enjoy exploring the city of Bath, including the ancient Roman baths that give the city its name. Spend the night here before returning home, or perhaps extend your stay in Bath to have more time to enjoy all that this city has to offer.

Overnight Location
The Rising Sun Inn, Bath
Distance
17 miles / 27 km
Meals
Breakfast

Day 9 Departure Day

Sadly, your Cotswold Way adventure has come to an end. Trains are easily available from Bath to London, or a bus can take you to Bristol Airport.

Overnight Location
N/A
Distance
N/A
Meals
Breakfast

Cotswold Way 9-day Walking Tour Price and Dates

This self-guided hiking tour in England is run as private tour for your group only and the price is based on the number of guests on your trip.

Prices below are per person:

  • Price per person sharing a double/twin room: $1,250USD
  • Price per person staying in a single room: $2,275USD
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Accommodation on the Cotswold Way 9-day Walking Tour

This tour is based in 3-4-star hotels and bed and breakfasts. In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $645USD to have a private room in a hotel.

The Red Lion Inn, Chipping Campden

This charming inn is quiet and comfortable and is a favourite of walkers on the Cotswold Way.

Wood Stanway Farmhouse

Spend a cozy night in an authentic farmhouse that’s comfortable and unpretentious. The house itself is over 400 years old but has been brilliantly renovated to offer modern features.

Cleeve Hill Hotel

Enjoy personal service from a friendly, energetic hostess. The Cleeve Hill Hotel lives up to its name, as it sits at the top of a hill and offers wonderful views of the surrounding area.

The Royal George, Birdlip

Attentive, efficient staff and comfortable beds to sink into at the end of a day of walking? Or perhaps a soak in a hot bath first? You’ll find just what you need at the Royal George.

Orchardene B&B, King’s Stanley

Enjoy a peaceful location, set back from the main road, and hospitality from hosts who feel more like friends. The Orchardene is a delightful refuge on the Cotswold Way.

The Swan Hotel, Wotton-Under-Edge

This popular hotel has retained the charm of the 17th Century coaching inn that it used to be while modernizing to include all the amenities travelers desire today.

Chestnut Farm B&B, Tormarton

This cozy and comfortable old house is an easy walk from both the Cotswold Way trail and the local pub. Make yourself at home and enjoy friendly hospitality from your gracious hosts.

The Rising Sun Inn

The Rising Sun Inn is a great balance of comfort, service, and value in a great location.

Hotels on Standard Tour

What’s included in the Cotswold Way 9-day Walking Tour?

Meals

8 breakfasts are included with accommodations. Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 8 nights along the tour. Extra nights may be added for an additional fee.

Also Included

  • Accommodation as described above
  • Luggage Transfers
  • Full Tour Pack
  • Smartphone App with GPS routes
  • 24-hr emergency helpline

Not included

  • Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
  • Entrance to attractions
  • Buses and/or Ferries unless otherwise stated
  • Tourist Taxes where applicable

Optional Extras

  • Add an extra night in Chipping Campden, Cheltenham, or Bath. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.

Frequenty Asked Questions about Complete Cotswold Way in 9 days

How hard is this tour?

We rate this 9-day Cotswold Way walking tour as a 4 / 5. The difficulty level is moderate, but you should be ready to walk up to 17 miles (27 km) per day. If you’d like a slower pace there are other options that aren’t as challenging.

Do I need a Visa?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included?

8 breakfasts are included with your accommodations. Lunches, dinners, drinks, and other food is not included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your travel insurance.

How do I get to Chipping Campden to start this tour?

Travel to Chipping Campden by car, bus, or taxi. If traveling by train, change to a bus in Moreton-in-Marsh. If arriving by air, the closest airports are Birmingham or Bristol, but London is also a great option. Contact your tour operator for assistance in making arrangements to get to Chipping Campden.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in Bath. From the Bath Spa railway station, the train to London takes 1.5 hours. The bus to Bristol Airport takes approx. 1 hour.

Do I need vaccines?

Check with your family doctor.

What should I pack?

Dress for the weather of the season in the Cotswolds. Always pack a jacket in case the temperatures are cooler than expected, and quality rain gear. Sun protection such as a hat and sunglasses is also recommended. Choose clothes that are comfortable and manage moisture well. Sturdy walking shoes are also recommended.

What is the weather like in the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds have mild weather, without extremes of heat or cold, making it reasonable to visit at any time of year. This beautiful area is not known for abundant sunshine and it rains frequently, particularly during the winter. More information about weather in the Cotswolds.

When is the best time to travel to England for this tour?

The best time to travel to the Cotswolds for this tour is during the warmer months from May to September, but the trip is available year-round.

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Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.

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Prices

From $1,250USD

Difficulty

Self-guided

Hotels / B&B

Start Your Booking

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Tour Difficulty

We rate this 9-day Cotswold Way walking tour as a 4 / 5. The difficulty level is moderate, but you should be ready to walk up to 17 miles (27 km) per day. If you’d like a slower pace there are other options that aren’t as challenging.


Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

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