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Luxury Tour

The Best Of The Cotswolds Walking Tour

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DISTANCE

5 – 8 miles (8 – 13 km) per day

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DIFFICULTY

Easy To Moderate

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DURATION

8 nights

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Accommodation

B&B accommodation and Inns

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Travel Information

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Price

£1035

Cotswold Walking Tour Overview

This journey takes you through some of the best parts of the Cotswolds, showcasing some of it’s most picturesque scenery and architecture. Get a true sense of the English countryside charm of the region with the honey-coloured stone houses, rolling green hills dotted with sheep, and quaint villages along the route.

Everything from the trail itself to the stops along the way and the accommodation have been especially selected to allow guests to experience the best of the Cotswolds villages for a quintessential Cotswolds experience.

As a beginner-friendly course, the Best of the Cotswolds Walking Tour is a warm welcome to The Cotswolds for a wide range of travelers. The path is primarily on flat, accommodating dirt paths that will guide you through the tranquil countryside and beautiful villages at a leisurely low intensity.

Tour Highlights

As a curated walking tour, the Best of the Cotswolds walk is peppered with the must-see highlights of the Cotswolds. Amongst the serenity of the woods and pastures, you’ll find ancient abbeys, churches and houses reminiscent of the region’s rich history.

Witness Jacobean opulence at Stanway house, a shining example of a Jacobean manor house, complete with its 300ft fountain and 18th-century water garden.

Walk up Broadway Tower for fine views before descending down into the ever-picturesque Chipping Campden.

Wander through some of the most picturesque countryside & villages in England.

Appreciate a well-earned rest at one of the traditional country pubs in the area. This tour has been designed to guide visitors passed some of the best Cotswolds restaurants and pubs.

This walk offers an unforgettable journey through England’s idyllic countryside, blending stunning natural landscapes with a rich tapestry of history. It showcases the beauty of the region and invites you to connect with its heritage, making it a must-do for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in one of the most scenic parts of Britain.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Moreton-in-Marsh

Begin your exploration of the Cotswolds when you arrive at Moreton-in-Marsh for your first overnight. Walk the 17th-century High Street or relax in one of the many tranquil green spaces, including the Queen Victoria Gardens. With a sweet selection of tea rooms, a rich Roman history, and Batsford Falconry Centre nearby, this quiet Cotswold village has something for everyone.

Day 2: Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold (7 miles/11 km)

The walk begins in the rolling countryside and green pastures of the high wolds before reaching the first stop of the tour, Stow-on-the-Wold. Complete with village stocks and a picturesque market square, Stow-on-the-Wold is an old market town, complete with old village stocks and picture-perfect market square. Steeped in history, it is also home to a suite of Iron Age and Roman sites. Overnight at Stow-on-the-Wold.

Day 3: Stow-on-the-Wold to Bourton-on-the-Water (4.5 miles/ 7.2 km)

Today’s walk is a leisurely downhill stroll to the scenic village of Lower Slaughter. Set against the fairytale background of the meandering River Eye, Lower Slaughter is one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds. It has been preserved since 1906, making it a portal back in time, complete with a working mill and quintessentially Cotswold romantic stone bridges. End the day at Bourton-on-the-Water and enjoy its selection of antique shops and coffee shops. If time allows, visit the Model Village, the Motoring and Toy Museum, or the Equestrian Centre.

Day 4: Bourton-on-the-Water to Guiting Power (7 miles/11 km)

On day 4, the route follows the River Windrush to the village of Naunton with its ancient dovecote and on to lovely Guiting Power, where the church has a fine Norman arch. Transfer back to Bourton-on-the-Water for overnight from Guiting Power.

Day 5: Guiting Power to Winchcombe (6 miles/9.5 km)

Transfer back to Guiting Power and walk through scenic woods and peaceful pastures before reaching the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe. As with all Cotswold villages, Winchcombe is steeped in history, boasting several historical attractions, including Sudeley Castle, the final resting place of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife.

Day 6: Winchcombe to Stanton (7 miles/11 km) or Broadway (10.5 miles/17 km or 8.5 miles/13.9 km)

Follow the pilgrims’ route to the medieval monastery, Hailes Abbey, then continue through the quiet countryside to the majestic Jacobean Manor House, Stanway House. Next, choose between heading on to the quintessentially English village of Stanton or the coaching village of Broadway.

Day 7: Stanton or Broadway to Chipping Campden (8 miles/13 km or 4.5 miles/7 km)

If staying at Broadway, a visit to Broadway Tower is a must. Ascend this 18th-century landmark and enjoy the impeccable views it offers across the vale before heading for Chipping Campden for the night.

Day 8: Chipping Campden to Moreton-in-Marsh (7 miles/11 km)

Begin your final walking day with the quaint villages of Broad Campden and Blockley before ending your Cotswold journey with a relaxed stroll across countryside meadows to Moreton-in-Marsh. Overnight at Moreton-in-Marsh.

Day 9: Departure

Departure after breakfast.

Map

An eight-night (or fewer if preferred) circular walking holiday of the North Cotswolds. This tour has seven walking days. The grading and distance are aimed at those wanting a less strenuous tour with enough time to take things at a leisurely pace.

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Distance

Total: 47 miles (75 km)

Duration: 7 walking days

Average daily mileage: 7 miles (11.2 km)

Longest day: 8.7 miles (13.9 km)

Shortest day: 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

Duration

Total: 47 miles (75 km)

Duration: 7 walking days

Average daily mileage: 7 miles (11.2 km)

Longest day: 8.7 miles (13.9 km)

Shortest day: 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

Accommodation

In keeping with the best of the Cotswolds theme of this tour, the accommodation has been hand-picked to provide guests with an authentic Cotswolds experience.

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

The Bell Inn at Moreton-in-Marsh

Blaire House at Winchcombe

The Crown and Trumpet Inn at Broadway

The Volunteer Inn at Chipping Campden

The Old Manse Hotel at Bourton-on-the-Water

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.

Easy to Moderate

There are no prolonged or large altitude gains along this route and terrain is generally not too rugged, making this tour accommodating for most levels of fitness and hiking experience. You’ll walk primarily on dirt paths through fields, with some stretches of tarmac, and occasional rocky paths.

Highest elevation gain in one day: 767ft (233m)

Average daily elevation gain: 500ft (152m)

Travel Information

The Cotswolds are at the heart of the British rail network. Direct trains travel from London Paddington Station to Moreton-in-Marsh frequently.

Arriving By Plane:

Nearest airport: Birmingham Airport (54.1km).

Other nearby airports: Bristol Airport (97.6km), London Heathrow: (164km).

From London Heathrow, you can take the Heathrow Express train directly to London Paddington from where you can take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh.

Private Transfer:

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

Please contact us for further details.