Cotswold Way

Arrive in Chipping Campden, arguably the loveliest of all the Cotswold towns, and spend the evening at your first night’s accommodation.

The Cotswold Way begins by leaving Chipping Campden and climbing to offers panoramic views from Broadway Tower. A steep descent leads into the charming village of Broadway, with its beautiful Cotswold stone houses and fine, old English tearooms.

The route then leads you over Shenberrow Hill where there is an iron age hill fort and descends to Stanton, one of the prettiest villages in the country.

This section of the Cotswold Way takes you past Stanway House, famous for its late-renaissance architecture. Stop and explore the historic ruins of Hailes Abbey en-route, before continuing to Winchcombe, with its selection of shops and inns.

South of Winchcombe lies magnificent Sudeley Castle, and further on, the stone age burial mound of Belas Knap. Continue through Cleeve Common, the highest point on the Cotswold Way and enjoy the fine viewpoints from Cleeve Hill.

The Cotswold Way continues south and the 6 mile stretch to Dowdeswell Reservoir is a splendid walk with outstanding views, generally following the western edge of the Cotswold escarpment high above Cheltenham.

A short sharp climb from Dowdeswell takes you back up onto the Wolds where the vistas continue to impress. Your route takes you past the distinctive Devil’s Chimney, one of the route’s most well-known landmarks. This is a fine stretch of the Cotswold ridge offering views across Cheltenham and out to the Malvern Hills.

The route takes you on to Crickley Hill and its fascinating archaeological site. From Birdlip the Cotswold Way follows a path through beech woods to Cooper’s Hill, famous for cheese rolling on Whit Monday each year.

A short detour can be made to visit Prinknash Abbey before more woodland paths lead you to Painswick Beacon, another fine viewpoint. Your accommodation is in delightful Painswick, another gem of the Cotswolds.

This is a delightful section of the Way, as the route takes you over Scottsquarr Hill and Haresfield Beacon, both with fine viewpoints. The descent to the Stroud Valley is through beech woods and fields to reach the Stroudwater Canal. Pass Stanley Woollen Mills, a reminder of the Cotswolds’ wool making history on the edge of Kings Stanley.

A few steep ascents and descents are rewarded by panoramic views. Neolithic burial chambers and Iron Age hill forts quickly eat up the six and a half miles to Dursley.

Beyond Stinchcombe Hill, the route crosses Nibley Knoll and the Tyndale’s Monument, before more woods and fields bring you to the enchanting village of Wotton-under-Edge.

Today’s walk passes interesting Cotswold houses such as Horton Court, thought to be the oldest house along the trail. Before this, Kilcott Mill is a picturesque spot to linger before passing the Somerset Monument and reaching Hawkesbury Upton, with its village pond.

Continue to another hill fort, through Old Sodbury and on to Tormarton. The rural isolation, small villages and tranquillity of the walk to Tormarton is wonderful.

The last section of the Cotswold Way takes in some fantastic views and past spectacular Dyrham Park, a stately home built between 1691 and 1702 complete with ancient deer park. Your arrival in the stunning city of Bath marks the end of the Cotswold Way. Take a stroll around what has to be one of the most beautiful cities in Britain, and toast your success upon completing the trail.

We recommend spending an extra night in Bath at the end of your walk in order to visit the Famous Abbey, Roman Baths and Pump House and to soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful historic city.

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the Cotswold Way.