Bath & The Cotswolds Walking Tour

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DISTANCE

10 – 13 miles (16 – 20 km) per day

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DIFFICULTY

Moderate

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DURATION

5 nights

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Accommodation

B&B Accommodation, Village Inns & Hotels

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Travel Information

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Price

£825

Bath Walking Tour Overview

Bath, with its classical Georgian architecture, crowned by the magnificent Royal Circus and Royal Crescent, is recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is one of only very few complete European cities designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, of course, as Aquae Sulis, it was an important Roman resort.

This five-day walking tour begins in the historic city of Bath and takes you through some of the most beautiful and historic villages in the Cotswolds, offering a perfect blend of stunning scenery and classic English charm. From Bath, a city renowned for its Roman Baths and Georgian architecture, you’ll wander through the picturesque countryside, with rolling hills, serene rivers, and idyllic stone cottages along the way. Each stop has been carefully chosen to give you a true sense of the region’s natural beauty and historical significance.

The route consists of longer walking days across varied terrain and you will find one or two considerable uphill stretches. In order to cover distances in good time and keep to the 5-day itinerary, this tour is better suited to those with moderate hiking experience and finess levels. We can tailor this classic walk to consist of extra or fewer nights to better cater to your level of experience – please contact us for more information. This is the ideal way to immerse yourself in the best of the Cotswolds, with a perfect balance of scenic walks, charming villages, and historic sites.

Tour Highlights

Explore the well-preserved ruins of the Roman Baths that give the city its name, and admire the Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent and the Circus.

As you travel to Bradford-on-Avon, admire the town’s medieval architecture and the picturesque Avon Canal.

Continue on to Lacock, a village frozen in time, famous for its well-preserved streets and Lacock Abbey, often seen in films.

Your journey then leads you to the enchanting village of Castle Combe, with its famous bridge and stream, before returning to Bath to explore its iconic landmarks.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight in Bath.

Arrive in Bath for overnight. Nestled in Somerset, Bath is a city brimming with history and charm. Explore the ancient Roman Baths, marvel at the stunning Bath Abbey, and stroll across the iconic Pulteney Bridge. The elegant Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent and the Circus adds to the city’s allure. Relax in the rooftop pool at the Thermae Bath Spa, enjoying views of the city and its natural hot springs. With its picturesque streets, boutique shops, and top-notch dining, Bath offers a memorable experience for every visitor.

Day 2: Bath to Bradford-on-Avon (12.5 miles/20 km)

Start from central Bath and walk to Sham Castle, overlooking the whole city. Continue over the Dundas Aquaduct to Freshford and Farleigh Hungerford, complete with awe-inspiring medieval castle. Passing the magnificent tithe barn at Barton Farm brings you to Bradford-on-Avon, one of the loveliest small towns in Britain with picturesque 17th-century bridge, Georgian townhouses and a complete Saxon church. Overnight at Bradford-on-Avon.

Day 3: Bradford-on-Avon to Lacock (13 miles/21 km)

Take a scenic walk through rolling countryside to the charming village of Monkton Farleigh, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Wiltshire Downs, the Cotswolds, and Bath. Continue your journey to the quaint village of Box. Next, visit Corsham, famous for its Elizabethan mansion, Corsham Court, which houses an impressive art collection. Finally, head to Lacock, a beautifully preserved village often featured in films and TV shows, where you’ll spend the night in a place that feels like a step back in time.

Day 4: Lacock to Castle Combe to Lacock (10 miles/19 km)

Stroll through the picturesque village of Castle Combe, one of the most iconic Cotswold destinations, known for its charming stone cottages, the famous stone bridge, and the tranquil stream that runs through the heart of the village. After exploring this scenic gem, transfer back to Lacock for the evening. Lacock itself offers a captivating history with its medieval streets and the beautiful Lacock Abbey, often featured in films and TV. Overnight stays in Castle Combe can be arranged upon request—please contact us for more details.

Day 5: Castle Combe to Bath (13 miles/21 km)

Transfer back to Castle Combe and enjoy a scenic walk through the enchanting St. Catherine’s Valley, a peaceful route offering beautiful views as you make your way to Bath Easton. From here, you can choose to take a bus into the heart of Bath, or continue your journey along the scenic Avon River to reach the city. Explore Bath before settling in for an overnight stay in this historic city.

Day 6: Departure

Departure after breakfast.

Bath Tour Map

A five-day Bath walking tour of the famous city and surrounding Cotswold countryside.

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Distance

Total: 6.75 miles (10 km)

Duration: 6 days

Average daily mileage: 12 miles (19 km)

Longest day: 13 miles (21 km)

Shortest day: 10 miles (16 km)

Duration

6 nights

5 days walking

Accommodation

Accommodation on this tour has been hand-picked to provide guests with an authentic experience of Bath and the Cotswolds.

Though accommodation may vary from tour to tour, we gravitate towards a selection of quintessential English countryside stays. Some favourties when it comes to our walking tour of Bath and the Cotswolds include:

The Landsdown Grove Hotel at Bath

Lynchetts at Bradford-on-Avon

Sign of the Angel Inn at Lacock

at Castle Combe

All of our selected B&Bs, Inns, and Hotels will give you a warm welcome with a hearty breakfast for you in the morning to set you off on your day’s walk.

Moderate

More consistently longer walking days of between 9 and 13 miles across varied walking surfaces and conditions although these will still be on well-marked paths Elevation gain and descent through the day can accumulate and there may be one or two larger uphill sections per day depending on the itinerary. A reasonable pace should be maintained to cover distances in good time. Aimed more at those who have hiking experience and a reasonable to good level of fitness.

Highest elevation gain in one day: 958ft (292m)

Average daily elevation gain: 810ft (247m)

Travel Information

Best time to go: March – September

Arriving By Train:

The Cotswolds are at the heart of the British rail network. Direct trains travel from London Paddington Station to Bath Spa Station frequently.

Arriving By Plane:

Recommended airports: Bristol Airport, London Heathrow.

From London Heathrow, you can take the Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth Line metro to London Paddington station, where you can catch a direct train to Bath Spa station. The journey from London Paddington to Bath Spa takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Alternatively, from Bristol Airport, there are regular bus services (the Airport Flyer) to Bristol Temple Meads station, where you can catch a train to Bath Spa, with a total journey time of around 1 hour.

Arriving By Car:

Parking in the centre of Bath can be limited, but there are long-stay car parks available around the city. Accommodation will often not permit you to leave your car for the duration, or may charge a fee.

Private Transfer:

We are happy to arrange private transfers to your starting accommodation.

Please contact us for further details.