Cotswold Way: 13-Day Gentle Hike

DAY 1: Arrival in Chipping Campden

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Chipping Campden.

DAY 2: Chipping Campden to Stanton

Distance 17km • Approximate Walking Time 4 - 6 hours • Ascent (↑) 410m

The quintessential Cotswold village is packed with history, beautifully maintained and full of wonderful old buildings - Chipping Campden, Broadway and Stanton all epitomise these qualities. Other highlights include stunning views across to the Severn Valley in Wales from Dover’s Hill and the many ancient trees you pass on the trail.

DAY 3: Stanton to Winchcombe

13km • 3 - 4 hours • (↑) 270m

A day full of historical treasures for you to uncover. The ancient ruins of a Cistercian monastery at Hailes and the award-winning gardens and connections to the Royal Family at Sudeley Castle, not far from the trail in Winchcombe, are both stunning examples of the region’s rich history.

DAY 4: Winchcombe to Dowdeswell

18km • 4 - 6 hours • (↑) 450m

Far-reaching views from the top of Cleeve Common (at 317m - the highest point of the walk) where the Brecon Beacons in Wales are visible on a clear day. Indeed much of the day is spent atop the escarpment so there will be no shortage of wonderful photo opportunities.

DAY 5: Dowdeswell to Birdlip

17km • 4 - 6 hours • (↑) 430m

There are some splendid forest trails on today’s walk. Lineover Wood, where some trees date back over 700 years is particularly impressive. Towards the end of the day, you pass through Crickley Hill Country Park with wonderful views from the escarpment over the plains below.

DAY 6: Birdlip to Painswick

13km • 4 - 5 hours • (↑) 350m

Early in the day, the quiet walker will have a good chance to spot some of the wild deer that roam the majestic beech tree forests close to Birdlip. After passing the curiously-named Catbrain Quarry, the trail descends via a golf course into the picturesque little town of Painswick.

DAY 7: Painswick to Middleyard

15km • 4 - 5 hours • (↑) 380m

Today, after walking through open countryside for the first few kilometres, the trail leads you through some of the

wonderful wooded areas on the Cotswold Way. Stockend Wood and Standish Wood are two fine examples you will pass through on today’s walk.

DAY 8: Middleyard to Dursley

12km • 3 - 5 hours • (↑) 390m

Spend some time exploring the ancient burial grounds dating back 5,000 years at Nympsfield, with spectacular vistas over the Severn Valley. Further on, a short, sharp climb to the summit of Cam Long Down offers splendid views of the surrounding countryside. Descend from here to the village of Dursley.

DAY 9: Dursley to Wotton-Under-Edge

12km • 3 - 4 hours • (↑) 275m

A steep climb out of Dursley in the morning and more stunning views over the Severn Estuary unveil themselves. Moving on to North Nibley, you pass a monument dedicated to the memory of William Tyndale - a local man responsible for the translation of the Holy Bible into English in the 16th Century.

DAY 10: Wotton-Under-Edge to Old Sodbury

21km • 5 - 7 hours • (↑) 450m 

This walk is one of the more remote on the trail with a few tiny villages but mainly through countryside and along quiet paths and tracks. Later in the day, you pass two Iron Age forts (at Horton and Little Sodbury) - settlements dating back over 2,000 years.

DAY 11: Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton

14km • 4 - 5 hours • (↑) 280m

Imagine how some of England’s wealthiest people live as you pass by the sprawling countryside estates of two wonderful old county homes at Dodington Park and Dyrham Park. The grounds are wonderful for walking and you may be lucky enough to spot deer, rabbit and even foxes on the trail.

DAY 12: Cold Ashton to Bath

17km • 4 - 6 hours • (↑) 310m

Today, your path takes you across a battlefield where, in 1643, hundreds of English soldiers died fighting one another during the English Civil War. From this beautiful, yet somehow eerie site, you descend into the majestic town of Bath. Your journey ends at the fittingly spectacular Bath Abbey next to the Roman Baths - a great end to a great walk!

DAY 13: Departure from Bath

There are regular bus & train services from Bath to London/Bristol and other destinations in the UK.