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12-Day Cotswold Way Walking Tour

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12-Day Cotswold Way Walking Tour
From $1,950USDBook Now
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12-Day Cotswold Way Walking Tour-8
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Experience the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk, a breathtaking journey through the quintessential English countryside. This scenic walking tour takes you along the Cotswold Way, a historic 102-mile trail stretching from Chipping Campden to Bath, offering an immersive experience through rolling hills, charming villages, and stunning panoramic views.

Throughout the tour you will encounter a treasure trove of ancient Neolithic burial mounds, Iron Age hillforts, Roman villas, Norman churches, and the houses and buildings built from the wealth of the region's wool trade. With plenty of history at every turn, the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk is the perfect adventure for history and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

England, Europe
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12-Day Cotswold Way Walking Tour

Scenic 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk with charming villages, history, and views.
4.70
(45 reviews)
12 Days from $1,950USD
Easy quote
Duration
12 Days
Season
Mar-Oct
Activity
Walking
Type
Self-guided, Private
Accommodation
B&B, Lodges, and Hotels
Difficulty
Moderate (3/5)
From $1,950USD (see prices for this tour)
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Guardian
FodorsTravel
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National Geographic
Guardian
12-Day Cotswold Way Walking Tour-8
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Experience the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk, a breathtaking journey through the quintessential English countryside. This scenic walking tour takes you along the Cotswold Way, a historic 102-mile trail stretching from Chipping Campden to Bath, offering an immersive experience through rolling hills, charming villages, and stunning panoramic views.

Throughout the tour you will encounter a treasure trove of ancient Neolithic burial mounds, Iron Age hillforts, Roman villas, Norman churches, and the houses and buildings built from the wealth of the region's wool trade. With plenty of history at every turn, the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk is the perfect adventure for history and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Trip highlights

Discover the charm of the quintessential English countryside.

Take in breathtaking views from Dover’s Hill and Cleeve Hill.

Explore historic towns, abbeys, castles, and grand manor houses.

Stay in welcoming, family-run B&Bs and guesthouses.

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Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrival in Chipping Campden
Your journey begins in the historic village of Chipping Campden, a picture-perfect introduction to the Cotswolds Way. Wander through charming honey-colored stone streets, explore boutique shops, and visit the stunning wool church, one of the finest in the region. Enjoy a relaxing evening with traditional British fare at a cozy pub or indulge in fine dining, all within walking distance of your accommodation.
Distance N/A
Overnight Location Chipping Campden
Included Meals N/A
Day 2
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Chipping Campden to Broadway
Your Cotswold Way adventure begins at the historic Market Hall in Chipping Campden. The trail leads you through rolling farmland, open hills, and wheat fields, offering a perfect introduction to the journey ahead. Climb to Dover’s Hill for your first breathtaking views before following scenic gravel paths through woodlands. Reach the iconic Broadway Tower, then descend into the charming village of Broadway, where you’ll settle in for the night.
Distance 3.5 hours, 10.5km, 200m of ascent, 246m of descent
Overnight Location Broadway
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 3
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Broadway to Winchcombe
Today’s walk takes you through historic landmarks and scenic countryside. Explore the ruins of Hailes Abbey, once a site of pilgrimage before its destruction under Henry VIII. Continue to the magnificent Sudeley Castle, home to Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife. Arriving in Winchcombe, a charming market town rich in history, you’ll discover 16th-century townhouses, a grand wool trade church, and a vibrant atmosphere that makes it the walker’s capital of the Cotswolds.
Distance 19km, 445m of ascent, 442m of descent
Overnight Location Winchcombe
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 4
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Winchcombe to Charlton Kings
Today is a challenging yet rewarding walk as you ascend Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds at 1,083 ft (330 m). The trail begins with a steep climb, leading to Belas Knap, a fascinating Iron Age burial site. Walking along the Cotswold escarpment, enjoy breathtaking views over Cheltenham, Bishop’s Cleeve, and even as far as the Brecon Beacons in Wales on a clear day. This area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to rare orchids, deer, and birds of prey. Continuing along the ridge, you’ll pass disused quarries that once provided stone for the villages below and nature reserves filled with rare butterflies. The day concludes with a descent through ancient woodlands, arriving at the peaceful Dowdeswell Reservoir.
Distance 6 hours, 22.8km, 593m of ascent, 580m of descent
Overnight Location Charlton Kings
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 5
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Charlton Kings to Birdlip
The day begins with a climb back up to the Cotswold escarpment, offering sweeping views over the landscape. The trail is relatively easy once on the ridge, though it can be muddy and slippery after rain. Walking along the edge, you’ll appreciate the dramatic steep drop-offs that define the Cotswold Scarp. Arriving at Leckhampton Hill, explore the Iron Age hillfort and see the famous Devil’s Chimney, a striking limestone rock formation. This area was also a key quarrying site, supplying stone for Regency Cheltenham. A peaceful woodland walk follows, leading to Crickley Hill, where a charming café with stunning views over the Severn Vale awaits. The final stretch involves some road walking before reaching your accommodation in Birdlip.
Distance 5 hours, 16.7km, 427m of ascent, 242m of descent
Overnight Location Birdlip
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 6
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Birdlip to Painswick
Leaving Birdlip, the trail starts with a woodland path, offering a peaceful start to the day. After a few kilometers, you’ll have the option to detour to the Great Witcombe Roman Villa, a fascinating site worth exploring. The trail then passes through Cooper’s Hill, famous for the annual cheese-rolling event—if you're up for a challenge, you can attempt the steep climb yourself! Continuing through charming woodlands, you’ll reach the Royal William Pub around lunchtime. The afternoon includes a climb to the Painswick Beacon, a historic Iron Age hillfort, before descending into the picturesque town of Painswick. Known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds,’ the town features striking ivory-colored stone buildings, the beautifully preserved Rococo Garden, and the 15th-century St. Mary’s Church—a perfect way to wrap up the day.
Distance 4 hours, 12.1km, 289m of ascent, 358m of descent
Overnight Location Painswick
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 7
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Painswick to Kings Stanley
Departing Painswick, the trail winds through pastureland before gradually ascending back onto the Cotswold escarpment. The first highlight of the day is Haresfield Beacon, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Severn River, the Forest of Dean, and even the distant Brecon Beacons. The path then leads around the next spur into Standish Wood, home to ancient beech trees and a historic long barrow. Exiting the forest, a gentle descent brings you past a vineyard before crossing into Stroud’s outskirts. A short stretch along the canal leads to the charming village of Kings Stanley, where you’ll settle in for the night.
Distance 4.5 hours, 15.7km, 290m of ascent, 390m of descent
Overnight Location Kings Stanley
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 8
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Kings Stanley to Wotton-Under-Edge
Today is one of the most challenging yet rewarding days on the Cotswold Way. Setting off from Kings Stanley, you’ll pass through Middleyard before descending into peaceful ancient woodlands. A steady climb leads to Coaley Peak, where you'll take in sweeping views over the Severn Vale and visit the Nympsfield Long Barrow, a Neolithic burial site. Next comes a short but steep ascent up Cam Long Down, followed by a ridge walk toward Dursley, where you can stop for lunch at the Old Spot Inn. Afterward, another climb takes you back up the escarpment before the trail offers a choice: a direct path to Wotton-under-Edge or a longer scenic route via the Tyndale Monument, offering even more stunning views before descending into town for the night.
Distance 7 hours, 20.5km, 630m of ascent, 580m of descent
Overnight Location Wotton- Under- Edge
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 9
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Wotton- Under-Edge to Old Sodbury
Today is a gentler walk, though it begins with a climb back up to the Cotswold Escarpment. A quiet road leads past Newark Park, a Tudor hunting lodge with stunning views and gardens. The trail then descends through woodlands and farmland, passing the charming village of Alderley and the hamlet of Lower Kilcott. After a steady climb, you’ll reach the Lord Robert Somerset Tower, offering sweeping views. Hawkesbury Upton makes a great lunch stop with its cozy pub and farm shop. The trail then follows an old Drover’s Road, an open track with lovely views, before passing Horton Court, a historic 12th-century manor. A final stretch through Little Sodbury leads to your accommodation in Old Sodbury for the night.
Distance 6 hours, 21.9km, 500m of ascent, 421m of descent
Overnight Location Old Sodbury
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 10
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Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton
Today's walk takes you through the grand Dodington Park Estate, offering glimpses of its impressive manor house, owned by inventor James Dyson. The trail then leads through the charming village of Tormarton, crossing farmland and a few busy roads before descending into Dyrham, home to the magnificent Dyrham Park, where you can stop at the National Trust Café. Passing the hamlet of Pennsylvania, it's just a short final stretch to Cold Ashton, a picturesque village and your stop for the night. Accommodation is located slightly outside the village along a quiet road.
Distance 4.5 hours, 17km, 265m of ascent, 606m of descent
Overnight Location Cold Ashton
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 11
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Cold Ashton to Bath
Your final day on the Cotswold Way is a spectacular one! The trail winds through rolling countryside, distinct from the northern sections, before a steep but rewarding climb to the Sir Bevill Grenville Monument, commemorating the English Civil War. Passing Bath Racecourse, you’ll catch breathtaking views of Bath and Bristol before descending into the city. The final stretch takes you through Weston, along stunning Georgian streets, past the Royal Crescent, The Circus, and Guildhall, before concluding triumphantly at Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, where a limestone plaque marks the trail’s end, just as it began in Chipping Campden.
Distance 4.5 hours, 16km, 260m of ascent, 400m of descent
Overnight Location Bath
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 12
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Departure
After breakfast, it's time to depart. I hope you leave with wonderful memories of your journey along the Cotswold Way, from the rolling hills to the historic villages and breathtaking views. Safe travels!
Distance N/A
Overnight Location N/A
Included Meals Breakfast
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Reviews

The reviews below are from all the tours organized by the local team in England.

5
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4.70 (45 reviews)
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Dates and prices
👇 Prices below are per person

Double/Twin

Single in Group

Solo Traveller

DatesDouble/TwinSingle in GroupSolo Traveller
Low Season
Apr 1, 2025 to Apr 30, 2025$1,950USD$3,075USD$3,075USD
Oct 1, 2025 to Oct 15, 2025$1,950USD$3,075USD$3,075USD
Medium Season
Jul 1, 2025 to Aug 31, 2025$1,995USD$3,175USD$3,175USD
High Season
May 1, 2025 to Jun 30, 2025$1,995USD$3,175USD$3,175USD
Sep 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2025$1,995USD$3,175USD$3,175USD
*Please note that the prices depend on the size of your group
What’s included

Meals

11 breakfasts are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 11 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Chipping Campden and after the tour in Bath are not included but can be added as a supplement.

Transportation during the Tour

Luggage transfer of one bag weighing up to 20kg per person is included in this tour.

Also included

  • Route Information that can be accessed through digital GPS app
  • Excursions mentioned in the itinerary

Not Included

  • Flights to and from Birmingham or London Heathrow
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
  • Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before or after the tour
  • Optional activities or excursions

Accommodation for 12-Day Cotswold Way Walking Tour

Along the route, you'll stay in a range of charming accommodations, including bed and breakfasts, lodges, traditional pubs, and small hotels. These walker-friendly stays offer en-suite or private facility rooms and a hearty breakfast to fuel your day. Some accommodations also provide additional amenities such as washing and drying facilities or packed lunches, which will be detailed in your booking information.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are based on double occupancy.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk?

We rate this tour as a 3/5 due to the daily distances (10-15 miles/16-24 km), frequent ascents and descents along the Cotswold Edge escarpment, and varied terrain including grassy tracks, woodland trails, and stony paths. While achievable, good fitness and stamina are required.

Do I need a visa to travel to England?

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

Are meals included on the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk?

11 breakfasts are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your travel insurance.

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

You can make your own way by train, car, or bus to reach Chipping Campden.

Is the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk in English?

This is a self-guided tour, so there is no tour guide to lead you. All trip documents and navigational aids will be in English.

Where does the 12-Day Cotswold Way Walk end?

Your tour concludes in Bath, United Kingdom.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to England?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for England?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

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