The Cotswold Way Walk

Walking information

The Cotswold Way is a National Trail trail on a mixture of well-maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields, with some short sections on some minor roads. There are a number of ascents and descents each day from the escarpment.

Day 1: Arrive in Chipping Campden

Arrive in the historic market town of Chipping Campden.
Stay overnight at Cotswold House Hotel or similar

Day 2: Chipping Campden to Stanton 16.5KM (10.5MI), 4.5HR

Head up on to the Cotswolds escarpment from where you will enjoy stunning views from Dover's Hill, home to the annual 'Cotswold Olimpick Games'. Walk through fields to the 18th century folly, Broadway Tower. Descend to the coaching village of Broadway, where you will find fine houses and inns flanking the 'broad way', before climbing back up onto the escarpment, to Shenberrow Hill, the 3rd highest point in Gloucestershire from where you will descend into the idyllic village of Stanton.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Shenberrow Hill B&B or similar

Day 3: Stanton to Prestbury Hill 24.5KM (15.5MI), 6.5HR

Today starts with a pleasant walk through the parkland of the Stanway Estate, with its Jacobean manor, magnificent gatehouse and medieval tithe barn. Climb up onto the escarpment to the Iron Age hill fort of Beckbury Camp, then follow the trail as it passes near highlights such as Hailes Abbey and Sudeley Castle. Visit the ancient Neolithic long barrow of Belas Knap on the panoramic ascent up to Cleeve Hill, the highest point of the Cotswolds.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Upper Hill Farm or similar

Day 4: Prestbury Hill to Birdlip 21KM (13.5MI), 5.5HR

Walk through the ancient Lineover Wood and walk on the escarpment onto Leckhampton Hill and look out for the peculiar limestone rock formation known as the Devil's Chimney. Enjoy breathtaking views from Crickley Hill before descending through woodlands to Birdlip.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Royal George Hotel or similar

Day 5: Birdlip to Leonard Stanley 27KM (17MI), 6.5HR

Head on to Painswick Beacon, the site of an Iron Age hill fort, then descend into Painswick, one of the architectural highlights of the trail, and the mid-point of the Cotswold Way. Follow the trail on to Haresfield Beacon, where you'll enjoy spectacular views across the Severn estuary, then pass through Standish Woods, where in springtime bluebells carpet the woodland floor.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at The White Hart or similar

Day 6: Leonard Stanley to Wotton-Under-Edge 24KM (15MI), 6HR

Follow the trail through woodland and climb to Cam Long Down from where the trail descends into the market town of Dursley. Tackle some slightly steeper slopes up onto Stinchcombe Hill and to the Tyndale Monument before the trail descends again to the town of Wotton-Under-Edge.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Swan Hotel or similar

Day 7: Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury 20.5KM (13MI), 5.5HR

Today the trail passes close to the National Trust property of Newark Park. Continue the walk through woodland towards the village of Alderley, and ascend to the Somerset Monument and Horton Fort to reach Old Sodbury.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Rock Cottage or similar

Day 8: Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton 13.5KM (8.5MI), 4HR

From Old Sodbury, the Cotswold Way crosses fields into the village of Tormarton, then continues on to the village of Dyrham, passing near Dyrham Park, a 17th-century mansion, garden and deer park. Continue through farmland to reach Cold Ashton.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Whittington Farm or similar

Day 9: Cold Ashton to Bath 16KM (10MI), 4.5HR

From Cold Ashton climb up to the site of the civil war battle of Lansdown, At Prospect Stile you will catch your first glimpse of Bath in the valley below. Cross farmland to reach the edge of Bath where the trail becoms more urban and passes through parks and near magnificent regency architecture to reach Bath Abbey where a carved stone disc marks the end of the Cotswold Way.
Breakfast included
Stay overnight at Hill House or similar

Day 10: Leave Bath

Depart after breakfast.