Mr RUGG says...
Really wonderful walking - the Cotswold Ring was quite exceptional. The walks were about the right distance for us but we broke up the final walk between ...
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This walk through the Cotswolds starts in the historic Regency spa town of Cheltenham and explores the quintessentially British villages of the area. The Cotswolds are England's largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and with a combination of panoramic rolling hills, sites of historical interest and the archetypal golden-hued vilages, there is so much to explore! Enjoy the delights of Cheltenham before taking in some world-famous villages along the route, including Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water and the Saxon capital of Winchcombe. There's even the option to take a side trip to visit Stratford-upon-Avon if a visit to Shakespeare's birthplace is calling you!
Your route takes you over Cleeve Hill, the highest point of the Cotswolds, to Sudeley Castle, the last resting place of Katherine Parr (Henry VIII's 6th wife). Visit some of the 'wool churches' of the Cotswolds - so named because of the input of finances from local, wealthy wool merchants back in medieval times to create elaborate and architecturally stunning buildings. Two of note on this route are in Winchcombe and Chipping Campden. Other points of interest along the route include some beautiful formal gardens at Kiftsgate or the Hidcote National Trust gardens. The River Windrush (after which the post-war West Indian immigration boat was named) forms part of the route back to Cheltenham from Bourton-on-the-Water.
Accommodation along the route has been hand-picked in Bed & Breakfasts with character, ranging from inns and townhouses to tearooms. Offering a warm and friendly Cotswold welcome, as well as hearty breakfasts, they offer comfortable stops along the walk and a charming insight into Cotswold life.
On arrival in the historic spa town of Cheltenham you may well be tempted to explore the local area and some of its 'treasures' before finding somewhere to eat near the hotel.
Stay overnight at The Cheltenham Townhouse or similar
Starting from the classical Pump Room, the route crosses Cleeve Hill - the highest point of the Cotswolds - to Belas Knap long barrow and descends to Sudeley Castle and the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe, with its fine 'wool church'.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The White Hart Inn or similar
Follow the pilgrims' route to Hailes Abbey, then over the hills to Jacobean Stanway House and on to idyllic Stanton, before reaching the old coaching village of Broadway for your overnight.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at the Hadley House Bed & Breakfast or similar
A half day's walking over the hills via Broadway Tower with its magnificent views to Chipping Campden. In the afternoon, explore this charming town with its silversmiths and 'wool church', or visit Dover's Hill, site of the annual 'Cotswold Olympiks', or the beautiful gardens at Kiftsgate or the National Trust gardens at Hidcote; or spend the afternoon at nearby Stratford-on-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The Bantam Tea Rooms & Guest House or similar
Pass through the charming villages of Broad Campden and Blockley and descend to Batsford, where you may visit the arboretum and falconry centre. On certain days of the week both Bourton House gardens and Sezincote House will be open. Finally, a pleasant stroll across meadows to the idyllic market town of Moreton-in-Marsh for your overnight stay.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The White Hart Royal Hotel or similar
After crossing the high wolds to Stow-on-the-Wold, complete with village stocks and picturesque square, the Cotswold Ring then passes through Lower Slaughter to Bourton-on-the-Water, prettily located on the River Windrush, with its many attractions.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The Lansdowne Guest House or similar
The Ring follows the pretty River Windrush through the delightful villages of Naunton and Guiting Power. Finally, a dramatic descent from the high wolds, through the meadows of the Cotswold escarpment, to journey's end in Cheltenham.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The Cheltenham Townhouse or similar
Breakfast included
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com
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Set in Winchcombe, just over half a mile from Sudeley Castle, The White Hart Inn offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a garden. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout. The inn features eight ensuite bedrooms. All guest rooms come with a flat screen TV and tea & coffee making facilities. Full English Breakfast is included daily.
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Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, the Bantam is a historic tearoom with accommodation rooms, sensitively restored and refurbished. The guest house name originally is the guild house where merchants and traders would meet to discuss and transact their commerce. Each room has a distinct personality, they show the exposed stone and aged oak beams and are furnished with linens, wools and one-off pieces of furniture.
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Set in a 17th-century former coaching inn, the White Hart Royal Hotel is located in Moreton-in-Marsh’s historic town centre and boasts regal connections as King Charles I took shelter here during the English Civil War. A four-poster bed, private garden, spacious wet room and a roll-top bath feature in some of the individually designed bedrooms. Flagstone floors and an original inglenook fireplace are in the traditional Snug Bar and guests can also make use of the hotel’s two period lounges. Fresh, local ingredients are served on the traditional British menu in the Courtyard Restaurant.
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If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
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Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Really wonderful walking - the Cotswold Ring was quite exceptional. The walks were about the right distance for us but we broke up the final walk between Stowe and Cheltenham with a stop-over a the Guitling Guest House in Guiting Power. We can highly recommend this walk.
This was my 2nd self guiding walking holiday with Headwater. Yet again this was a very enjoyable experience. The local agent provided a well informed and written booklet of route notes and with a phone app which had downloaded maps of each day's walk with GPS on certainly kept me on the right track. The walking itself was very enjoyable with quite a challenging experience on the last day to walk the 17 & 1/2 miles back to Cheltenham which I would recommend. Incredibly it stayed dry apart from a little shower on the last day. Stayed in some excellent hotels and B&B's on route. Overall an awesome trip round the Cotswolds.
Headwater response:
Thank you Mr Hall for your holiday summary, so pleased to hear you enjoyed your self guided walking experience with us, we look forward to orgnasing your 3rd trip with us.
Headwater Customer Service Team
Great holiday. Bags transported as promised and were always waiting for us either in reception or in our rooms at the destination accommodation. Accommodation is...varied -some good, some poor
Headwater response:
Thanks Mr Denby for your holiday feedback, good to see you had a great time. Please be assured your feedback with regards to accommodation will be monitored in order that improvements can be made.
Headwater Customer Service Team
Pretty villages , beautiful flower filled meadows and gentle rolling hills. The last day of 17.5 miles back to Cheltenham is long but very pleasant and a stop off of fruit cake and tea was really welcome at the village post office in Guiting Power on the way. Insect repellent is a good idea as horse flies were rather hungry in some locations.
An easy way to arrange a walking holiday with clear routes and excellent luggage transport/delivery service from one night to the next
The itinerary provided excellent walking through lovely countryside and with pretty Cotswold villages along the way. The walks vary in length from 6 miles to 17 miles on the final day, although there are worthwhile alternatives if the latter is too daunting. Accommodation was first class and no problems were encountered getting an evening meal despite Covid restrictions. Recommended.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of , , and hotels
Breakfast daily
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Route directions and maps
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Meals
Breakfast daily
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
