Walking The Cotswold Way through England’s ‘Green and Pleasant Land’

Through tangled woods and sprawling fields, walking The Cotswold Way cleaves a route through pastoral countryside and historic villages. You’ll find an area in touch with its heritage, on a holiday that gives a real sense of walking through medieval England.

Highlights
  • Passing Neolithic burial chambers, Celtic hill forts and Roman villas
  • Touring historic houses, churches and abbeys
  • Wandering through Stanway House
  • Exploring Sudeley Castle- home of Henry VIII’s Queen, Catherine Parr
  • Sauntering around the elegant streets of Bath
  • Admiring Bath’s Regency style architecture and sweeping Royal Crescent
  • Picturesque villages of Chipping Campden and Winchcombe
 
  • 6 to 11 nights
  • 46 to 102 mls (view km)
  • Chipping Campden, South England
  • Moderate
  • Mar to Oct
  • £535

History in the Making on the Cotswold Way

History hangs heavy over a region where the churches and sleepy villages you cross paths with are beautifully preserved - inspiring a feeling of being displaced in another era. There is so much to see, ideally suited to the moving pace of walking holidays. The scenery you encounter on Cotswold walking holidays forms the quintessential English rural landscape, yet despite the historic setting, these are thriving, contemporary communities, and a chance stop to sample the local ale or produce may be just too tempting to pass up!

Although rarely rising above 900ft, walking the Cotswold Way meanders over many of the Cotswold’s best viewpoints. The highest point – at 1086ft above sea level – gives panoramic views over the Severn Vale, Bristol Channel and beyond to the hills of Wales.

For an alternative walking holiday in the Cotswolds, take a look at the Cotswold Round

Path Walkthrough

Cotswold Way walking map
Our Cotswolds Way walking Holiday takes you from Chipping Campden to Bath

Beginning with walks in Chipping Campden, there’s a gradual ascent through farmland toward Broadway Tower (the second highest ascent), before making the steep descent toward Broadway, on to the village of Stanton. From here, the route is typically undemanding, until a gradual climb around the edge of the escarpment takes you to Cleve Hill, rising above the Vale of Gloucester. Through Cleeve Common a complex system of tracks through grassland and dense woodland become more commonplace towards Painswick. Woodland trails lead out toward Middleyard, where the route converges with canal paths.

There is a steep climb up Stinchcombe Hill from Dursley, where the descent then follows into Wotton-Under-Edge. Along the final stretch the route twists and undulates slightly toward Bath, before the final descent past Lansdown Crescent takes you to Bath Abbey.

Walk Gallery

Image of Anne, hiking through fields of flowers on a Cotswolds walking holiday
cotswolds llillichs 004 960
Cotswold Way Broadway
Cotswolds Cleeve Hill
Cotswolds 12 Aug
Cotswold Way Route
Broadway Tower
Cotswold Way Waymarker
East-Banqueting-House-Cotswold-Round
Walking Holidays Cotswolds Way
Haresfield beacon on the Cotswold Way
Wisteria on Broadway High Stree
Image of spire of St. Lawrence, Stroud, Cotswold Way, walks in Chipping Campden
Image of Painswick, Cotswold Way
Walking Cotswolds-Way
Image of Broadway Tower, Cotswold Way
Morning Mist on the Cotswold way
Image of Bath Bridge, walking the Cotswold Way
Hiking into Bath on the Cotswold Way

Cotswold Way Walking Holiday Itineraries

Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing, single person supplements apply.

Chipping Campden to Bath

Length: 102 miles/ 164 km | Difficulty: Moderate

Code
Duration
From
CW1
11 Nights / 10 Days
£895 pp
View Itinerary

Chipping Campden to Bath

11 Nights / 10 Days
Holiday Code: CW1
From: £895 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn)
Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
DayLocationDistance
Day 1:Arrive Chipping Campden
Day 2:Chipping Campden to Stanton10.5 mls/16.8km
Day 3:Stanton to Winchcombe7.8 mls/12.5km
Day 4:Winchcombe to Dowdeswell11.2 mls/17.9km
Day 5:Dowdeswell to Birdlip10.3 mls/16.5km
Day 6:Birdlip to Painswick8.7 mls/13.9km
Day 7:Painswick to Middleyard9 mls/14.4km
Day 8:Middleyard to Wotton under Edge13.2 mls/21km
Day 9:Wotton under Edge to Old Sodbury12.8 mls/17.9km
Day 10:Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton 8.9 mls/14.25km
Day 11:Cold Ashton to Bath10.2 mls /16.3km
Day 12:Depart Bath after breakfast

Itinerary Information: 11 nights accommodation with 10 walking days. Arrive in Chipping Campden on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Bath on morning of day 12.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

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CW2
10 Nights / 9 Days
£830 pp
View Itinerary

Chipping Campden to Bath

10 Nights / 9 Days
Holiday Code: CW2
From: £830 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn)
Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
DayLocationDistance
Day 1:Arrive Chipping Campden
Day 2:Chipping Campden to Stanton10.5 mls/16.8km
Day 3:Stanton to Cleeve Hill13 mls/20.8km
Day 4:Cleeve Hill to Air Balloon14 mls/22.4km
Day 5:Air Balloon to Painswick10.5 mls/16.8km
Day 6:Painswick to Middleyard9 mls/14.4km
Day 7:Middleyard to Wotton under Edge13.2 mls/21km
Day 8:Wotton under Edge to Old Sodbury12.8 mls/17.9km
Day 9:Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton8.9 mls/14.25km
Day 10:Cold Ashton to Bath10.2 mls /16.3km
Day 11:Depart Bath after breakfast

Itinerary Information: 10 nights accommodation with 9 walking days. Arrive in Chipping Campden on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Bath on morning of day 11.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

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CW3
9 Nights / 8 Days
£765 pp
View Itinerary

Chipping Campden to Bath

9 Nights / 8 Days
Holiday Code: CW3
From: £765 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn)
Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
DayLocationDistance
Day 1:Arrive Chipping Campden
Day 2:Chipping Campden to Stanton10.5 mls/16.8km
Day 3:Stanton to Cleeve Hill13 mls/20.8km
Day 4:Cleeve Hill to Air Balloon14 mls/22.4km
Day 5:Air Balloon to Painswick10.5 mls/16.8km
Day 6:Painswick to Middleyard9 mls/14.4km
Day 7:Middleyard to Wotton under Edge13.2 mls/21km
Day 8:Wotton under Edge to Tormarton15.1 mls/24.6km
Day 9:Tormarton to Bath16.8 mls/26.9km
Day 10:Depart Bath after breakfast

Itinerary Information: 9 nights accommodation with 8 walking days. Arrive in Chipping Campden on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Bath on morning of day 10.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

Chipping Campden to Middleyard

Length: 57 miles/ 91.5 km | Difficulty: Moderate

Code
Duration
From
CW4
6 Nights / 5 Days
£535 pp
View Itinerary

Chipping Campden to Middleyard

6 Nights / 5 Days
Holiday Code: CW4
From: £535 (pp)
Solo walker supplement: £40 (pn)
Single occupancy (groups): £35 (pn)
DayLocationDistance
Day 1:Arrive Chipping Campden
Day 2:Chipping Campden to Stanton10.5 miles/16.8km
Day 3:Stanton to Cleeve Hill13 miles/20.8km
Day 4:Cleeve Hill to Air Balloon14 miles/22.4km
Day 5:Air Balloon to Painswick10.5 miles/16.8km
Day 6:Painswick to Middleyard9 miles/14.4km
Day 7:Depart Middleyard after breakfast

Itinerary Information: 6 nights accommodation with 5 walking days. Arrive in Chipping Campden on day 1, walk from day 2 and depart from Middleyard on morning of day 7.

Departure Dates: This itinerary can be walked any time between Mar to Oct. You simply choose which day you would like your holiday to start on.

Rest Days: Should you wish, rest days can be taken at stops along the route, view details.

What's Included: view full details.

Back to all itineraries

Prices based on two people sharing, where there are solo walkers - single supplements apply.

  • What's Included?

    We include:

    • Accommodation provided in high standard B&Bs, farmhouses and small local inns, with en-suite or private facilities where available
    • Breakfast included in price
    • Flexible itinerary with choice of daily distances to suit requirements
    • Walk pack including Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation directions, local interest leaflets and holiday planning
    • Daily luggage transfers
    • Information about packed lunches and getting food locally

    Optional:

    • In-house evening meals where available, or choose from a selection of local inns and restaurants
    • Rest days, where you can explore the area at your leisure
  • Price Info.

    Solo walker supplement: £40 per night

    Single occupancy supplement within a group: £35 per night. Where singles are walking as part of a larger group and are willing to share a Walk Pack, single room occupancy supplements apply.

    Rest days: From £50 per person per night.

    Postage overseas: £5.00 (Europe), £10.00 (Rest of the World) per walk pack

    Bank holidays & short notice bookings may incur extra charges.

    Why not add an additional walking day in Bath to complete the ½ day circular “Bath Skyline Walk” (5 miles/8 km)?  The walk is along the famous Bath Skyline and descends through the old streets of this captivating World Heritage City.  ½ day walk and an extra night’s accommodation (Prices start from £75 per extra night).

    Rest Days in Chipping Campden   From £50 pp per night

    Weekend supplements (Fri/Sat) apply to the following locations ~

    Chipping Campden ~ £20.00 pp (not applicable if rest day taken in Ch.Campden)

    Bath ~ £35.00 pp (not applicable if rest day taken in Bath)

    Saturday night supplements apply to the following locations ~

    Winchcombe ~ £50.00 pp (includes dinner)

    Please note that it may be necessary to stay at some locations for 2 nights.  This is due to accommodations only accepting 2 night bookings at busy times or where there is no accommodation in remote areas. In such cases, transfers between the path and your accommodation will be included in your holiday cost

  • Getting There

    Moreton-in-Marsh is the nearest station, from which there are trains between the Cotswolds, as well as Oxford and Wolverhampton.

    From Middleyard, there is a bus that stops outside the Garden Centre that stops off at Stonehouse Railway station, from there you can board connecting services to London and Bristol. There is also a National Express coach that stops at Coombe Lane.

    Bath is very well connected, with frequent rail, bus and taxi services. The nearest airport is Bristol airport, 20 miles away from the city centre.

  • Best Time to Travel

    The Cotswolds landscape seems to bring out the best out of the season you visit in. May/June/July, would be the perfect time to see the wildflowers that crop in the area, whereas the colours of autumn have a dramatic effect on the leafy towns and villages you visit.

    Generally, weather conditions are fairly mild, but the majority of this route is through woodland and field - so please bring sensible footwear that can cope with walking through muddy grassland should there be a downpour.

    Cotswold Way Walking Holiday                                             Average Sunshine Day Hour Cotswold Way Walking Holiday                                        Average Temperature Cotswold Way Walking Holiday

Client Reviews of The Cotswold Way

Our past clients rated this walk 4.8 out of 5, read a selection of 25 reviews below.

Overall, an excellent experience.

5 out of 5

October 2018

We have walked with you 5 times and you met our expectations again. We particularly enjoyed Chipping Campden and Stanton.

5 out of 5

October 2018

The only reason we would walk with another company is if you didn't offer a walk in a country we wanted to walk. This was our fifth walk with you.

5 out of 5

October 2018

Great scenery, good/well marked paths. Good places to stay.

5 out of 5

September 2018

We would walk with you again. What we most enjoyed about this walk was the well-marked trail and the great scenery. We opt for long distance walking holidays to stay young!

4.5 out of 5

September 2018

Celtic Trails met my expectations.

5 out of 5

August 2018

Celtic Trails compares very well with other companies. What we most enjoyed about this particular walk was the scenery and the hosts/hostesses at the B&Bs

5 out of 5

July 2018

We most enjoyed the villages, flowers, history, views, woods, animals, hill forts and tumps.

4.5 out of 5

June 2018

"Outstanding service, well documented packs (the best I've ever had), fantastic accommodation choices and real focus on the client."

4.7 out of 5

June 2018

Excellent service.

5 out of 5

June 2018

Again, a really good experience and we shall use you again, as indeed I am with Mrs L in September (Llyn Peninsula). Thank you again - another great experience.

4.7 out of 5

April 2018

Celtic Trails were great - again.

5 out of 5

April 2018

"Celtic Trails provided a perfect first walking experience, thank you!"

5 out of 5

May 2017

"I wanted to see The Cotswolds – but not from a tour or a driving holiday. I am proud that I completed the trail! Thank you for the wonderful memories!"

4.8 out of 5

May 2016

"Once again you and your team have excelled in the organisation of the Cotswold Way walk we undertook last week. All accommodation and transport arrangements worked perfectly and the hospitality of our hosts was beyond expectations. That was my second walk with you and my walking partner's third and we both have every intention of using your organisation again in the future and we continue to spread your name wherever we go. Many thanks again for the wonderful experience."

4.8 out of 5

June 2015

"We do appreciate your consideration when we had to cancel the week previously, and your good wishes for this time. The walk more than lived up to expectations."

4.6 out of 5

May 2015

"As always, our Celtic Trails experience was great. We are already planning our next few walks with you. Thank you for your help with everything!"

5 out of 5

September 2014

"The best holiday thank you very much!!!"

4.4 out of 5

August 2014

"Now that I am looking back I have a wistful nostalgia for the walk…forgot about the achy legs but remembering all the beauty of the countryside and friendly folks along the way."

4.5 out of 5

June 2014

"The trip was great. People were friendly & helpful. Scenery magnificent. Cows + sheep + houses + slugs & snails + butterflies & birds + cider & pubs - wonderful!"

4.2 out of 5

September 2013

"We enjoyed our journey very much and are fully content with your organisation. We look forward to our next walking holidays."

4.2 out of 5

July 2013

"All the arrangements were perfect! We never worried once about anything. That is supreme service in our books and we thank you all - very much!"

5 out of 5

June 2013

"We have a high regard for Celtic Trails & recommend you to our friends."

4.8 out of 5

March 2013

"I have had a wonderful holiday. Really can't think of how it could be improved. Again, first class service from Celtic Trails. Thanx."

5 out of 5

June 2012

"We had a wonderful time & have been very impressed with your company's efficiency and the friendliness & courtesy of your office staff!"

4.8 out of 5

May 2012

Leave your own review of your Cotswold Way Walking Holiday with us here

Enquire About Cotswold Way

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Booking Request - Cotswold Way

What Happens Next?

We will check your details and come back to you within two working days with a personalised estimate based on your requirements. We will then formally request a deposit of £100 per person (£150 for solo walkers) and book all your arrangements - find out about our full booking porcess here.

Please note this does not constitute a booking confirmation, we kindly ask you to refrain from booking any travel until we have confirmed all your arrangements.

Still Have Questions?

If you are still unsure on any of your requirements, please do enquire with us first and one of our friendly team will be happy to help you with any queries you have.