Cotswold Way South Section

Welcome to Painswick, the midpoint of the Cotswold Way National Trail. This small town features a number of boutique shops and independent restaurants. Take time to visit the Rococo Gardens and the churchyard from the 1800s. While in the churchyard, notice the yew trees. There are 99 of them because, according to a legend, the devil would destroy the hundredth tree if they planted it. The church planted yew tree number 100 in celebration of the millennium and it continues to thrive. Fans of J.K. Rowling might recognize the town of Painswick from her novel, The Casual Vacancy.

Start your walk today from Painswick, following the trail as it descends and crosses the Wash Brook. After this, climb back up to the Edge Common and continue through a section of forest. You’ll reach a clearing in the trees at Haresfield Beacon, which offers wonderful views of the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain. There is also a hillfort here from the Iron Age. Descend down into woods again and enjoy a springtime carpet of bluebell and wood anemone, or ferns in the summer in the lovely Standish Woods. Emerge from the forest once again into the grassy pastures of the Stroud Valley. You will soon reach historic Stonehouse, where you will spend the night. This village was listed in England’s earliest records, the Domesday Book from 1086.

Continue walking today through Dursley, after which the trail climbs steeply to the top of Stinchcombe Hill. Soon you’ll climb again up a steep ascent as the trail takes you to the Tyndale Monument and the Brackenbury Camp Hillfort. Pause here to catch your breath and enjoy the view of the surrounding area, including the town of Wotton-under-Edge. Follow the trail as it follows the ups and downs of the rolling hills, through wooded areas and up to viewpoints before coming to Wotton-under-Edge, where you’ll spend the night. Enjoy this historic town with its many listed buildings and independent shops and restaurants.

Begin today by walking past an old drover’s pond and continue on the Cotswold Way as it takes you south toward Horton, following Bath Lane. You’ll come to Horton Court, a National Trust property which is believed to be England’s oldest vicarage. After this, the trail ascends to Horton Fort, where you’ll enjoy expansive views of the Severn Vale and beyond. Follow the trail across local farmland, through Horton village, and continue to the village of Old Sodbury where you will stop for the night.

Begin today by following the trail through Dodington Park, which is a wonderful parkland laid out by architect Capability Brown in the 18th Century. Crossing a few more fields brings you to the town of Tormarton. Pass through Tormarton and continue south following the Marshfield Road for a time before the trail crosses an area of arable land then skirts the perimeter of Dyrham Park. Dyrham Park is a 17th Century manor built on an ancient deer park now owned by the National Trust and featured in the BBC adaptation of Poldark. From here, conclude today’s walk by ascending through a woodland until you reach the village of Cold Ashton and stop for the night.

Today’s walk is a beautiful finale to this wonderful tour! Begin by descending past Little Down promontory hillfort and the well-known Bath Racecourse into a lovely and secluded valley at Lower Hamswell. You’ll catch glimpses of the city of Bath in the valley below you as you notice that the trail is gradually becoming more urban. You’ll pass a number of parks and great examples of regency architecture as you approach Bath Abbey. Outside the western doors of the abbey, you’ll find a stone disc in the pavement that marks the ending point of the Cotswold Way. You have made it to the end of the trail!

Bath has a lot to offer tourists and you may want to extend your stay here to allow time for exploring this fascinating and historic city. Don’t miss the Roman baths from which the city gets its name. Unless you are in a hurry to depart, spend the night here in Bath.

Sadly, your time on the Cotswold Way has come to an end. Public transportation is readily available to help you return to your car, if you parked one, or to reach nearby Bristol Airport. You can take a train from Bath Spa to London, which takes about 1.5 hours.