Standard Tour

Luxury Tour

The South Cotswolds Ring Walking Tour

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DISTANCE

7 – 14 miles (11 – 20 km) per day

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DURATION

7 nights

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DIFFICULTY

Moderate

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Accommodation

B&B Accommodation, Village Inns & Hotels

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Travel Information

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Price

£995

Walking Tour Overview

The South Cotswolds Ring takes you through some of the most picturescue villages in the south of the Cotswolds, and showcases some of the region’s lesser-known gems. This route begins and ends in the beautiful town of Cheltenham and takes you first of all to Winchcombe before striking south.

The South Cotswolds Ring Walking Tour is a little more challenging than some of our other walks, consisting of longer walking days and variable terrain. As a moderately challenging route, this tour demands a moderate fitness level. Transfers can be built in to the route if you wish to reduce the daily distances.

Accommodation along this route is curated to create a quintessential Cotswolds experience, allowing guests to explore the southern Cotswolds area in comfort.

As you meander through rolling hills and tranquil woods, you’ll encounter quaint south Cotswold villages and picturesque countryside that seem frozen in time, with highlights such as Chedworth Roman Villa, Cheltenham’s Regency architecture, and impressive medieval Churches dotted throughout your stops. Rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, the southern Cotswolds boast something memorable for everyone.

Highlights

Take in the grandeur of Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” as you stroll along its stone bridges and enjoy the serene flow of the River Windrush. The Cotswold Motoring Museum and the Model Village add a unique touch, offering fascinating glimpses of the past, both large and small.

Wander further to Cirencester, once the capital of Roman Britain, where the Corinium Museum offers a rich collection of Roman artifacts, and the market square is overlooked by the majestic St. John Baptist Church.

Continue your journey to Winchcombe, and explore Sudeley Castle and peaceful streets lined with medieval cottages at Winchcombe.

Pause for a well-earned break at one of the region’s historic country pubs, where you can relax with a pint and enjoy the best of Cotswold hospitality.

Traverse Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds and end off your Cotswold walking tour with unmatched panoramic views towards Gloucester, the Malvern Hills, and the Black Mountains in Wales.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cheltenham

Overnight in Cheltenham, a beautiful town celebrated for its Regency architecture and fine shops and restaurants. From the art gallery and museum at the town’s promenade, to the racecourse that hosts the famous Cheltenham Festival, and Imperial Gardens, Cheltenham is a warm welcome to the Cotswolds for a wide range of guests.

Day 2: Cheltenham to Winchcombe (7 miles/11 km)

Pass over Cleeve Hill, the scenic highest point of the Cotswolds hill range, to pass the Neolithic tomb at Belas Knap and head down to Winchcombe, home to Sudeley Castle that, as home to Queen Catherine Parr, brims with Tudor history. Overnight at Winchcombe.

Day 3: Winchcombe to Bourton-on-the-Water (13 miles/ 21 km)

Cross the old Roman Salt Way to descend to the beautiful villages of Guiting Power, home to the medieval Church of St. Michael and All Angels, and Naunton, with its ancient dovecote overlooking the River Windrush. Then, follow the river into the photogenic village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Overnight at Bourton-on-the-Water.

Day 4: Bourton-on-the-Water to Northleach (11 miles/17 km)

The route weaves around Bourton lakes, then crosses the hills to Sherborne. Stroll through the gorgeous landscaped Sherborne Park and continue to the tranquil and historic village of Northleach, with its glorious wool church, mechanical music museum, and air of timelessness. Overnight Northleach.

Day 5: Northleach to Cirencester (14 miles/22 km)

On Day 5, head for the welcoming village of Chedworth. Nearby you’ll find the Chedworth Roman villa, one of the best preserved in the country. Continue on to Cirencester, known as the second town of Roman Britain, after London. Cirencester boasts an excellent Corinium Museum as well as a majestic market square overlooked by the recently restored parish church.

Day 6: Cirencester to Painswick (13.5 miles/21 km)

A stroll through the 18th-century landscape of Cirencester Park brings you to Sapperton, once a centre for William Morris’s Arts & Crafts Movement. Follow the old Thames & Severn Canal, and then walk through perfect rural England to Painswick, ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’, noted for its fascinating churchyard and the Rococo Garden.

Day 7: Painswick to Cheltenham (13 miles/20 km)

Head through Sheepscombe, which straddles an enchanting valley. The Cotswold Way takes you along the Cotswold Edge, with panoramic views towards Gloucester, the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains in Wales. Overnight Cheltenham.

Day 8: Departure

Departure after breakfast.

Map of the South Cotswolds Walking Tour

The South Cotswold Ring begins and ends in the beautiful town of Cheltenham. It takes you first of all to Winchcombe and its castle at Sudeley before striking south to Bourton-on-the-Water and then to the lesser-known villages towards the south of the area.

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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 favourites when it comes to our South Cotswolds Ring Walking Tour include:

Malmaison at Cheltenham

White Heart Inn at Winchcombe

Chester House at Bourton-on-the-Water

Wheatsheaf Inn at Northleach

The Fleece at Cirencester

Troy House at Painswick

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.

Duration

7 nights

6 days walking

Distance

Total: 71.5 miles (115 km)

Duration: 6 walking days

Average daily mileage: 12 miles (19 km)

Longest day: 14 miles (22 km)

Shortest day: 7 miles (11 km)

Moderate

More consistently longer walking days of between 11 and 14 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.

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 Cheltenham Spa Station frequently.

Arriving By Plane:

Recommended airports: London Heathrow, Birmingham International

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 2 hours and 15 minutes. The journey is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from Birmingham International.

National Express bus services also go to Cheltenham bus station, and these run fairly frequently from London.

Arriving By Car:

There are often on-street parking restrictions in the centre of Cheltenham, and you may need to go out from the centre some way to find on-street parking with no restrictions. Long-stay car parks are available around the city.

Private Transfer:

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

Please contact us for further details.