Photo above: Chipping Campden - Chad Williams / Creative Visual Design
Cotswold Scenic
Walk Details:
Duration: 6 nights / 6 days
Distance: Each day’s walk is between 5 and 8 miles.
Grade: Easy to moderate
These 6 days give you the chance to discover the real essence of the Cotswolds from its honey coloured limestone buildings to its exquisite country gardens. The walking is at a relaxed pace and our expert local guide will help bring the fascinating history to life from the famous "Cotswold Lion" and the fabulously wealthy wool merchants to the iconic architecture and gardens that followed. Being based in the Cotswolds makes sure more of your money goes directly back into the local economy. We know the area better than our competitors and use local guides.
You may be more familiar with more expensive American tour agents such as Backroads or Country Walkers, offering conveyor belts tours, using our local guides or American based guides shipped in for a one-off season. Why not come to us directly and benefit from the current exchange rate and save literally thousands of dollars. You can select the same luxury hotels and still save.
Cotswold Walks lead guided tours for the Sierra Club. We are also Rick Steves recommended agent for walking holidays in the Cotswolds. We are the local choice for the best Cotswold experience. We eat in different places for lunch and dinner, so you get to try the best local cuisine and not have formulaic hotel dinners with set menus. We offer variety and interest and go above and beyond to make this a tour to remember. We specialise in the Cotswolds so we only have one chance to make this the best tour ever.
Living here and sharing that experience means each tour is unique, with smaller groups, genuine experiences, fun and variety. Trust us with your holiday experience and together we can make life long memories.
Any other start date subject to a min. of 4 people.
Prices from:
2025 prices
£2,470 pp for 6 days guided tour including accommodation in B&B's/hotels.
Single supplement: £475 for B&B accommodation
Upcoming tour dates:
2025
11 - 17 May 2025 Guaranteed departure date - Full.
1 - 7 June 2025 Guaranteed departure date - spaces remaining
20 - 26 July 2025 - Guaranteed departure date - spaces remaining
7 - 13 September 2025 - Guaranteed departure date - 1 spot remaining
2026
10 - 16 May 2026
7 - 13 June 2026
19 - 25 July 2026
6 - 12 September 2026
Any other start date subject to a min. of 4 people.
Please note: If you wish to arrange a private tour for your group of 4 people, there will be a £250pp supplement applicable to the standard tour price.
Please see Key Points for further details.
Day to Day Itinerary
All walks are optional and as the tour is fully supported clients can opt in or out for half a day's walk at any time to allow extra time to enjoy the villages or your accommodation facilities.
Each day of walking will be approx. 5-8 miles and this allow enough free time to be able to enjoy the churches, villages and ancient sites that we will visit.
Please note: On rare occasions it may be necessary to change the sequence of the walks, or a section of a route, due to factors outside our control - i.e. weather, footpath diversions, museum closures etc.
DAY ONE - SUNDAY
Arrive in Chipping Campden
DAY TWO - MONDAY
Broadway Tower, Stanton and Stanway House Walking distance: 6 miles/9.5 km
Our tour begins at Broadway Tower, some believe the folly was created as a link between the two estates of the Earl of Coventry and others a token of love for his homesick wife. On a clear day views extend into Wales. Our walk begins in Broadway as we make our way across open sheep pastures to the perfectly preserved village of Stanton which appears frozen in time. The main street is often used in TV and film sets due to its unspoilt nature. Our final destination is Stanway House where we enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawn followed by a private guided tour of the house and newly renovated and fully working watermill. We return to Chipping Campden and your accommodation. Before dinner, we are treated to a slide show explaining the history of the Cotswolds and presented by a Cotswold Voluntary Warden. Lunch and group dinner included.
DAY THREE - TUESDAY
Hidcote Garden and Chipping Campden Walking distance: 8 miles/13 km
We set out along the majestic high street of Chipping Campden, adorned with the fine houses of former wool merchants whose enormous wealth created the foundations of the town we see today. We make our way to Hidcote Garden which was designed and created by the American Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts and Crafts style. The garden is made up of a series of beautiful garden rooms, each possessing it own unique character. We transfer to charming village of Blockley where the BBC tv series Father Brown is filmed and have lunch in the local cafe. After lunch we head back to Chipping Campden along ancient farm tracks and woodland to experience some of the best walking in the area. Free time to explore the many interesting stores in this historic wool market town.
Lunch included. Free evening.
DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
Tours starting in July: Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey(known as Highclere Castle) has become hugely popular with TV audiences around the world. For those that wish, we offer the chance to bring this all to life by touring the house and grounds of Highclere Castle. Our first stop will be the Cotswold Woollen Weavers centre at Filkins for a potted history of the weaving industry in the Cotswolds and how it continues to this day. Continuing the Downton theme we visit Bampton to see the village setting for the TV show, including the church, Mrs Crawley's house and the village hospital/school. Lunch is taken at a local village pub before arriving at Highclere Castle to explore the house and gardens. Our final destination is the former Roman market town of Cirencester, considered the capital of the Cotswolds for our final 3 nights.
Overnight in Cirencester for 3 nights.
Lunch included. Free evening.
DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
Tours starting May, June, September: Blenheim Palace
Our tour begins on the edge of the Duke of Marlborough's estate. The palace was built and paid for by a grateful Queen Ann and nation for the heroic leadership of the First Duke at the battle of Blindheim (Blenheim) in 1704. The grounds were first created by Capability Brown and successive Duke's added their own touches to make it the World Heritage site it is today. Winston Churchill was born and died here and is buried in the nearby village of Bladon. You will have a self-guided audio tour of the palace before we have a hearty pub lunch.
Overnight in Cirencester for 3 nights.
Lunch included. Free evening.
DAY FIVE - THURSDAY
Bibury and Cirencester
Walking distance: 6 miles/9.6 km
We begin our tour in Bibury and visit the famous Arlington Row; a group of medieval weaver's cottages. We venture out beside the river Coln and through meadows and woodland to Coln St. Aldwyn for lunch. A short walk after lunch before we return to the ancient Roman market town of Cirencester for a guided walking tour or free time to explore the award winning Roman museum.
Lunch included. Free evening.
DAY SIX - FRIDAY
Tetbury and Highgrove Gardens Walking distance: 5 miles/8 km
We head to Highgrove Gardens, the country estate of Their Majesties The King Charles III and The Queen Consort. Based on his philosophy of organic gardening, the gardens offer the visitor the chance to learn about his passion for working with nature and minimizing human impact. After lunch we walk to Tetbury through rolling countryside and equine estates. Explore this historic market town, featuring a 17th century market hall and close connections with royalty before returning to Cirencester.
Lunch and farewell group dinner included.
DAY SEVEN - SATURDAY
Depart
Your Guides
Robert Talbot
Andrew Guppy
Having spent many years as a tour guide for an international travel company finding a career closer to home that was going offer the same rewarding experience was not easy. That opportunity arose when the previous owners of Cotswold Walks were looking for someone to take over the running of the company in 2007. Having successfully grown the company ever since and chosen to specialise in the Cotswold, we have never looked back. Living in the Cotswolds, my passion for guiding walking or cycling tours, enables me to get out of the office as much as possible to meet clients. I hope to see you soon should you wish to join us on one of our wonderful adventures.
Key Points
Flights
What’s included
- Services of our expert local guides for 6 days
- All entrance fees
- All transfers in order to complete the tour itinerary and free transfers from and to the nearest train station at the beginning and end of the tour.
- All lunches and 3 group dinners.
- The use of a support vehicle at all times should anyone wish not to complete the walks for any reason.
Accommodation Options
Comments & Testimonials
I really don't know where to start. Everything about our trip with hikes and bikes was outstanding -from the hikes to the guides and the food! The guides knew and loved the area, and the hikes and logistics were perfectly organized - yet there was a lovely informal and easy feel to the trip. The picnic lunches were a highlight - with tea served in beautiful tea cups and the scones and clotted cream and jam were memorable. Our guide Robert was a font of information and just a pleasure to spend time with. The guide at Stanway castle was just wonderful also with an enormous knowledge base!
We particularly loved the Cornerways B and B. The room was large, and the hosts were so welcoming.
I am already planning another trip with hikes and bikes and would recommend this company whole heartedly - a 10/10.
Deirdre A.
July 2023
Andrew,
I put a review on Trip Advisor. Everything was honestly perfect. You and Robert. Every walk. The hotels and the food. As a single traveler what brought it all together was that it was such a good group of people. I travel solo about half the time and that is the one variable you can’t control. The Lygon Arms was particularly nice. Loved the people, especially Jo. I had room 8 which was great and breakfast was lovely. Highgrove were fantastic. Loved Stanway House and having tea and scones after a long walk. Jackie at Stanway was great. Would have liked a few hours at Broadway. There are wonderful homes when you wander off the main path.
I hope to return next Spring or Summer.
Elyse P.
July 2023
We’re finally settled back into our lives here in Seattle WA area. Our walking holiday with you was a wonderful time, walking through beautiful countryside, the small villages. Both you and Robert are excellent guides. Your knowledge of the history, flora and fauna, geology was so interesting. Due to situation beyond your control, we regret that we didn’t have more time with guide John (?) in Chipping Campden before our dinner time. He too is very knowledgeable. We commend your efforts to patronize the local businesses as we traveled. We appreciated that you are friends with so many of the local folks.
Larry and Ann A.
July 2023
I had a fabulous time on the Cotswold walk. It was very different from other vacations I have been on. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I’m glad we chose the guided walk over the self-guided tour. It was nice to be with such knowledgeable guides of the area. I was able to learn about much more of the Cotswold area because of this. The trails chosen were varied with some easy, flat areas while other parts of the trail were hillier and more strenuous. I liked the variety. The scenery, cute little English towns and castles were beautiful and of course we chose a fantastic week of weather. Pure luck. We were also very lucky with the group of people we walked with all week. It was a nice group and everyone seemed to enjoy each other’s company.
The accommodations were great in Chipping Camden and Cirencester, Noel Arms and the Cotswold Hare. The breakfasts were good. I liked the outside lunches we had along some of the routes. I enjoyed the group dinners but also liked exploring other restaurants in the areas.
One minor thing I can think of that might be helpful is to email an itinerary the night before or maybe one the day people arrive. I had to keep looking for the original email you sent us with the itinerary to see what we would be doing the next day.
I would give the trip a 10 out of 10. Again, I had a wonderful trip and would recommend it to my friends.
Julia O'C.
June 2023
Thank you for such a wonderful trip to the beautiful Cotswolds. I was so excited about this trip and my expectations were exceeded. I was so impressed with the quality and commitment of Andrew and Robert as our Guides. Some highlights of the trip from my perspective:
- I loved the quaint accommodations ( especially the Bantam Tea House). These boutique type B & B's fit so nicely with the experience of the Cotswolds
- I really appreciated the food/restaurant choices, we had lots of choices and the quality of the food was good
- I appreciate that Andrew has so many "relationships" with local resources, it exposes us to all the Cotswolds has to offer. Everyone we spoke to was very complimentary of Andrew and his team, he is well respected by all.
- The hiking was excellent, it was diverse and the guides were very knowledgeable and made the hikes enjoyable.
I would give the overall experience a 10 out of 10!
Thank you for making the trip I dreamed of for 6 months so special !!
Maureen C.
June 2023
Just to say thanks for a fantastic week. The week far exceeded our expectations - the walks took us to so many beautiful villages we would not have found on our own. Robert was such a knowledgeable and fun person. The accommodation was brilliant, the meals were all delicious and the taxi transfers were great. I am sure we will be back.
More about Cotswold Walks
We would love to hear from you if you have any questions or queries regarding our walks or if you would simply like to gather more information.
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