About the Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile walking trail in England, of which we’ll cover about 40. Portions of the path itself trace back thousands of years. Long before it was a hiking trail, people used this high ridge to travel and defend themselves.

If you walked the trail in its entirety, you would pass historical sites including ancient graves from the Stone Age, old hill forts from the Iron Age, and ruins left behind by the Romans. The trail also winds through beautiful, historic villages built with golden stone from the wealth of the medieval wool trade. The route also bears witness to medieval history, passing historic battlefields from the English Civil War.

The push to turn these ancient paths into one official, continuous walking trail started in the 1950s. Two local walking enthusiasts, Tony Drake and Cyril Trenfield, proposed the idea to connect existing paths so people could walk the whole distance. After years of planning and mapping, local councils officially opened the Cotswold Way in May 1970 to encourage people to get outside and enjoy nature.

Over the next decades, the trail became quite popular. Volunteers worked hard to keep the path clear and post signs to help walkers find their way. Because it was so loved, the government decided to make it an official "National Trail." After upgrading the paths to keep hikers off busy roads, the Cotswold Way was formally launched as a National Trail in 2007, complete with the famous acorn-shaped signs that guide walkers today.

The walking

We’ll be walking during English springtime, with an abundance of wild flowers and birds that have returned from the south.

Our distances will be relatively moderate. The trail is well traveled and well marked.

The walking itself is through fields, along dirt roads, and through forests. The path itself may present some mud, potholes in the country lanes, and roots on the forest paths. There will be some hills as we make our way up to enjoy the view and then walk back down the other side. We will be walking (not hiking), and our route will not be overly demanding (but again, be prepared for some mud, roots, hills, small rocks, and small streams to cross).

There will also be styles used to cross fence lines. These require some dexterity to climb over.

As people say, you don’t visit England for the weather. April is not the wettest month by far, but there is still a good possibility of rain. You’ll need to bring full rain gear and proper, waterproof walking/hiking shoes and be prepared for occasional mud.

Generally, we’ll walk five to eight miles a day and of course we have all day to do it. This distance is achievable for anyone who walks regularly and can handle some hills and other small challenges.

We will not rush through our routes, though. We will stop to enjoy the views, visit important sites, talk with other walkers, eat lunch, and have a cup of English tea whenever it’s available.

Meet your guide, Sharon Hedges

Your guide through the Cotswolds will be Sharon Hedges, a Brit and a resident of the Cotswolds. Sharon is a big walker and familiar with the Cotswold Way and all of the villages along our planned route.

Sharon is also a global traveller, travel marketing expert, and digital nomad. She has run her own tour company taking people on safari all over Uganda.

She loves British pubs, a good pint of cider, good humour, the English countryside, the people, the history and architecture of the Cotswolds, sharing experiences, and making sure everyone is having the best time! We have no doubt you will enjoy her energy and her company.

Our hotels

If you picture where you might want to stay while walking across England, you’ll be pleased by the hotels we’ve selected for you. These inns and B&Bs are exactly what you’d expect and you’ll know that you are in the heart of England.

Some are connected to pubs, some offer fine dining, and all serve you a hearty English breakfast to charge you up for the day’s walk. At one location, we’ll split the group between two large houses.

Here is a selection of places we will stay:

• The Volunteer Inn B&B

• Cleeve Hill Hotel

• The Falcon Inn

The hotels are along the Cotswold Way. We will stay two nights in each of two towns and one night each in the other hotels. Your bags will be moved for you from town to town.

Where we’ll eat

England has long since shed its reputation for bland food. It now serves some of the most pleasing meals you’ll find anywhere.

Some nights we’ll dine in local pubs on pub fare, from fish & chips to bangers and mash and mushy peas. The Brits certainly know how to prepare fish & chips. And don’t overlook the curries, a true British national dish! At proper restaurants we can look forward to local lamb or beef, fish from the north Atlantic, or creative vegetarian dishes.

Breakfasts are generally at our hotels and if you’ve ever had a full English breakfast, you’ll know that you’ll not go hungry.

Some lunches will be picnics and for others we’ll stop at local cafes and other eateries.

Trip FAQ:

Do I need to transport my own bags?

No, we will take your bags from one hotel to the next. You only will need a daypack with rain gear, water, and perhaps a snack.

Will a van follow us when we walk?

Generally not. We will not be in a position to pick you up and drive you to the hotel. However, in case of emergencies or when you just can’t walk any further, we’ll make arrangements for you. And in all cases, the distances are not great.

Is this trip appropriate for a vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, the English are quite tuned into special dietary needs and we’ll work with you in case there are specific needs.

How far will we walk each day?

Each day is different but expect to walk between five and eight miles per day. The longest day is eight miles. The paths are well traveled and well marked. There are a number of steep uphill climbs and descents, but the length of each hill is not overly long. There will be some roots, small rocks, and mud along some portions of the trail.

Is this trip for me?

The Cotswold Way is a popular walking path in England and it is generally agreed that anyone who is reasonably fit and walks regularly can handle it.  However, that doesn't mean that there aren’t hills. There are a number of places where the ascent and descent can be fairly steep over short stretches.

You’ll find the path itself to be well traveled and well marked. We will be generally on dirt tracks, through fields, and on quiet country roads. You can expect to find some mud,

roots, and small rocks on sections, as well as styles used to cross fences.

The daily distances are not that great, with the longest measuring in at about 8 miles, and we won’t be covering that distance as quickly, for example, as we do on the Camino in Spain.

And we’ve kept the distances manageable to give us time to make stops along the way, as there is much to see.

Arrival from airport and orientation

Stay in: Chipping Campden

• Welcome walk along one of England's finest medieval high streets.

• Visit the iconic Market Hall (1627).

• Browse independent galleries, bookshops, and artisan food shops.

• Trip orientation and introductions.

• Welcome dinner with local ales and classic English cuisine.

• Visit the Little Oak Vineyard

• See a show at the Cidermill theatre

Walkers particularly enjoy:

• Honey-coloured limestone architecture.

• Traditional pubs with centuries of history.

Chipping Campden to Stanton, Distance to walk 7.25 miles

Stay in: Chipping Campden

Initial climb out of Chipping Campden onto Dover's Hill, then rolling escarpment, woodland tracks and fields before descending to Stanton.

Highlights along the walk

• Dover's Hill viewpoints.

• Rolling Cotswold escarpment.

• Dry stone walls and sheep grazing.

Optional excursion

• Visit Broadway and Broadway Tower after the walk for panoramic views over 16 counties on a clear day.

Stanton to Winchcombe, 6.28 miles

Stay in: Winchcombe

Gentle farmland followed by climbs around Stanway and the approach into Winchcombe. Some uneven woodland paths.

Walking highlights

• Ancient woodland.

• Historic Stanway Estate.

• Beautiful approach into Winchcombe.

Possible visits

• Belas Knap Neolithic burial chamber.

• Historic High Street.

Evening

• Dinner in one of Winchcombe's historic inns

Stanton to Winchcombe, 6.28 miles

Stay in: Winchcombe

Gentle farmland followed by climbs around Stanway and the approach into Winchcombe. Some uneven woodland paths.

Walking highlights

• Ancient woodland.

• Historic Stanway Estate.

• Beautiful approach into Winchcombe.

Possible visits

• Belas Knap Neolithic burial chamber.

• Historic High Street.

Evening

• Dinner in one of Winchcombe's historic inns

Winchcombe To Cleeve Hill, 5 miles

Stay in: Cleeve Hill

Shortest distance but the biggest climb of the itinerary, ascending to Belas Knap and then up onto Cleeve Hill. Spectacular views but sustained uphill walking. Although short, this is one of the most dramatic walking days.

Highlights include:

• Highest point on the Cotswold Way.

• Spectacular views over Cheltenham and the Severn Valley.

• Limestone grassland.

• Possible sightings of wild ponies.

• Views towards Wales on clear days.

Cleeve Hill to Cheltenham, 8 miles

Stay in: Cheltenham

The walk descends into elegant Regency Cheltenham. Mostly downhill from the highest point on the Cotswold Way, with woodland, open common and parkland. Can be slippery if wet.

Afternoon ideas:

• Explore Montpellier (shopping)

• Walk the Promenade.

• Visit Pittville Park.

• Boutique shopping.

• Cocktail or gin tasting.

• Excellent restaurants.

• Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham to Birdlip, 6.35 miles

Stay in: Birdlip

Leaving the town involves a steady climb back onto the escarpment. Afterwards the route undulates through woodland and open countryside.

Highlights include:

• Leckhampton Hill.

• Devil's Chimney rock formation.

• Outstanding escarpment views - Birdlip viewpoint

• Quiet countryside.

Evening:

• Country inn accommodation.

• Traditional English dinner.

Birdlip to Painswick, 7 miles

Stay in: Painswick

One of the prettiest stages of the route. Beautiful woodland, beech forests and limestone paths with several short but steep ups and downs.

Highlights:

• Ancient beech woodland.

• Rolling valleys.

• Historic Painswick.

Explore:

• St Mary's Church and its famous yew trees.

• Painswick's narrow streets.

• Local galleries.

• Traditional cafés.

If time allows, visit nearby Painswick Rococo Garden for a unique 18th-century landscaped garden.

Departure for airport