The Cotswold Ring
Walk Details:
Duration: 7 nights / 6 days walking
Distance: 53-63 miles / 85-101 km
Grade: Moderate (Strenuous last day option.)
The best of the walks at a relaxing pace and with good rail links to regional airports or to London. Add an extra night in Chipping Campden to visit Hidcote or Kiftsgate Court Gardens, or do a side trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Shakespeare's birthplace.
Upgraded accommodation available on request.
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Prices from:
£1035pp
Prices based on 2 people sharing an en-suite room.
Start any day. *
*Please see Key Points for details.
Optional Extra: If you would like one of our expert local guides to join you for a walk, please enquire
about availability. Your guide will engage you in all things Cotswolds and explain the hidden secrets, routes, gardens, and history with a level of insight and personal experience that only a private guide can provide.
Special Offers - Discover our exclusive Special Offers—tours designed to be ready "off the rack," with guaranteed availability as described.
Day to Day Itinerary
Covering all the highlights of the Northern Cotswolds, this tour is the perfect introduction to the area. With longer walking days, it will suit walkers with a higher level of fitness.
You may wish to add an extra night in Chipping Campden to visit Hidcote or Kiftsgate Court Gardens, or to do a side trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Shakespeare's birthplace.
An extra night can also be added in Bourton-on-the-Water if you wish, in order to visit Bibury, the most beautiful village in England according to William Morris.
7 nights / 6 days walking
From £1035pp
DAY ONE
Arrive in Cheltenham Spa and overnight
DAY TWO
Cheltenham to Winchcombe
8 miles/12.8 km
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. Overnight in Winchcombe.
DAY THREE
Winchcombe to Broadway
9 miles/14.4 km or 11 miles/17.7 km
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 overnight.
DAY FOUR
Broadway to Chipping Campden
6 miles/9.5 km
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.
DAY FIVE
Chipping Campden to Moreton-in-Marsh
7.75 miles/12.5 km
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 will be open. Finally, a pleasant stroll across meadows to Moreton-in-Marsh for your overnight stay.
DAY SIX
Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water 12 miles/19km
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.
DAY SEVEN
Option 1 - Bourton-on-the-Water to Cheltenham
17.5 miles/28 km
The Ring follows the pretty Windrush through the lovely 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 at the village of Prestbury, on the outskirts of Cheltenham.
(Although a beautiful walk, it is a long one. If you prefer, you may spend a second night in Bourton and do a circular walk as below, or walk to Winchcombe, 13 miles/21km and spend the last night there. Let us know at the time of booking if you prefer this option. You will need to take a bus or taxi back to Cheltenham the next morning to catch the train).
DAY SEVEN
Option 2 - Circular walk to Naunton and returning to Bourton-on-the-Water
10 miles/16 km
Head out of Bourton along the Windrush Way to Naunton with its picturesque village and pub for a welcome break at the half-way point. Return along the Warden's Way via valleys and woodlands through Upper and Lower Slaughter. Either catch the bus back to Cheltenham or have a second overnight in Bourton.
DAY EIGHT
Depart
Depart after breakfast.
Key Points
What’s included
- Up to date and easy to follow route notes and maps in a handy sized booklet. One set per 2 people.
- Digital map download and walking app to track your position as you walk.
- A helpful and comprehensive information pack, including notes on where to eat and what to visit.
- Hand-picked, high quality, accommodation from B&B’s to luxury hotels with en-suite facilities.
- Breakfast each morning.
- Upgraded accommodation available on request.
- Door to door luggage services.
- Local knowledgeable support and assistance when you need it not just Monday - Friday, 9-5.
When to go
Any time of year but we suggest March to November. Departure on any day subject to accommodation availability. Some accommodations charge a supplement at weekends or insist on a 2 night stay.
Remember
Many of our walks can be shortened by using either public transport or taxis. We can also adapt these routes to suit the time you have available and your walking capabilities.
Comments & Testimonials
We had a great time - it was our first visit to the Cotswolds, and we were very impressed by its beauty. Both the landscape and the villages were tremendously appealing, harkening back to an earlier and simpler less hurried time.
Our favorite villages were Chipping Campden and Broadway, although the latter has been somewhat affected by its great popularity. One of our favorite moments was walking up to the Broadway Tower, and seeing the panorama of a quintessential English landscape laid out before us.
We have recommended your group to our friends, and would actually love to go back and experience our trip or a variation of it again in the Spring!
Brigitte and Paul L.
October 2023
Overall we had a fantastic time and the walk exceed our expectations. The weather was great, never rained. Memorable moments - getting to the Broadway tower and enjoying the view of Broadway from the tower, walking through the fields of yellow rapeseed flowers, meeting local couple at the pub and talking about movies, royal family, American politics, travel and just life in general, resting on the bench after a tough climb at Cleeve Common and meeting friendly sheep for the first time there.
Art A.
May 2023
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your service and the entire experience with Cotswold Walks.
We were in the UK for two weeks, and the time hiking was by far the best part of the entire trip! Everything was so well organized, I loved all the accommodations, and when we had the slight issue (below) everything was handled so well and came out perfect. The hikes were gorgeous, and the maps and app was very helpful and easy to navigate,
Thank you so much for everything! We will definitely use you again, and refer everyone we know to Cotswold Walks!
Amy S.
July 2022
We walked the Cotswold Ring Tour earlier this month. This was our first walking tour. Overall our experience was excellent and the weather was outstanding. Cotswold Walks handling the luggage transfers and lodging was superb. The maps and directions were a little daunting at first, but by the second day we had mastered the process and had only two wrong turns in six days of walking. If we had questions along the way, other walkers on the route were happy to help us. The Cotswolds have a subtle attraction that grows on the walker after a day or two on the trail and in the villages. The traveller will not find spectacular vistas or challenging climbs in the manner of the Grand Canyon or the Swiss Alps. The quiet trails through the forests and meadows, crossing grazing commons with sheep and cattle, the rolling hills with vast areas of green farming and grazing land, and the unhurried, unpretentious lifestyle simply calmed us yet made us eager to tackle the next day's walk. We spent four days in London before starting our walk and the contrast between crowded, fast-paced, noisy London and the Costwolds could not be more evident.
Chris A.
September 2019
The Cotswold walks as a reference for the actual hiking is a well thought out company that deals well with the nuts and bolts of informing possible clients efficiently and thoughtfully. We found them easy to work with and helpful in on the spot questions.
The walking directions were, in general, helpful guides on the paths. In several instances there were discrepancies between what we saw and what the surroundings revealed, making choices uncertain. Nature is ever-changing and so that may be a factor in some of the difficulties we met including either a plethora of small signs and/or lack of the same. On the whole, though, we greatly enjoyed being on our own and figuring how to negotiate the paths.
The choice of places to stay were really wonderful with friendly and helpful receptionists/owners. Especially great was the Cowly B & B and its owners in Broadway, a nice little town we much enjoyed.
Julie V.
September 2018
We would like to Thank you for a wonderful Holiday. The accommodations were absolutely fabulous and the Luggage transport was so efficient.
The Cotswold area is truly a beautiful and unique place.
We very much enjoyed everything from the Hiking to the Gin!
We appreciate all you did to make our vacation memorable!
We would recommend your company to anyone wanting a great experience in the Cotwolds!
Denise, Luana, and Lee J.
July 2018
I just wanted to thank you so so much for all your care, effort and organisation with regard this walk. It was absolutely wonderful, the directions and advice was excellent, the accommodation was superb (especially Cotswold House Hotel and the Slaughters Manor House) and the luggage pickups etc all worked seamlessly. It was all perfect (even the weather) and I really can't thank you enough for giving us such a memorable experience.
Linda C.
June 2018
Our trip was fabulous and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The weather was perfect and the walking gorgeous. Thank you so much for so expertly tailoring to our needs our time in the Cotswold region.
Nancy H.
June 2018
Yes, we had a lovely walk. Only 1 day was too hot for comfort and only 1 day was wet: naturally that was the first!
The maps were very good and we only got lost a couple of times: because I didn’t read your directions carefully!
Sudeley Castle was the standout attraction
Bourton was a sight!! On a bank holiday weekend it was absolutely packed and you couldn’t find a spot to sit by the water if you tried. Quite peaceful the next morning though.
Michael C.
May 2018
We had a wonderful time in the Cotswolds. Our favorite accommodations we're The Old Bakehouse in Chipping Campden, and The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power. In both cases it was the friendly, helpful hosts that made the difference. We liked all of our accommodations, but the best room was room 34 at the Cheltenham Townhouse. We will probably be doing this again in a couple of years.
Lance B.
April 2018
Thank you for arranging a wonderful trip. It was just fantastic. My husband and I grew up in Canada so the English influence became very apparent.
Thank you again!
Leyla C.
March 2018
We had a great time. The pre-tour notes and packing guides were very helpful. The route notes were easy to follow on the days we walked alone and I am sure we would have found them easy to use and informative for all days had we not had Robert guiding us. That being said, having Robert as a guide made the walk that much better. Robert pointed things out we would have walked by and gave us history and stories we otherwise would not have got. All the accommodations were fine. The restaurants were generally good. We had an especially good time and meal at No. 131.
Bill H.
October 2017
Highlights of our trip included connecting with other walkers, having a warm welcome at the end of each day, having the luggage waiting, experiencing the flora and fauna along the paths (eg, blackberries and pheasants) and having so much access to beautiful vistas. The accommodations were great - clean, quiet, welcoming, comfortable, unique - hearty breakfasts & helpful dinner suggestions much appreciated.
Carol G.
Canada
September 2017
We had a great time on our trip through the Cotswolds. I wasn't sure I could do 50 or 60 miles of walking through the countryside, but by the time I got to the top of Cleeve Hill I had no doubt that anything was possible. For the most part the directions were very good. I enjoyed working with my brother at deciphering the directions, it kind of added something to the trip that you wouldn't get by just hiking on a trail. A couple of memorable moments seem to be at lunchtime. Remember coming into Stanton all muddy and tired, walking up the hill to the Mount Inn. We went in and took off our boots, found the last table in the bar and had a pint and a fabulous meal. Next best was sitting on Dover's Hill outside Chipping Campden eating the cheddar and chutney sandwiches Delia had made for us. Thanks for helping putting together a great trip for us.
Dale Y.
Seattle, USA
September 2017
What a memorable week walking in the Cotswolds was! Everything went like a charm. No hiccups, no unfound routes, no lost reservations. You planned everything solidly, and all we had to do is follow the instructions - which we did! We had lovely walks, saw lovely scenery, lovely villages, stayed in lovely hotels. All perfectly planned. Thank you for a wonderful Cotswold week! We will certainly come back at some point - and in the meantime, recommend you to our friends with similar inclinations.
Jan Q.
July 2017
Overall we found the Cotswold Ring a great experience. The walks, the villages and the gardens were really magnificent. The hotels were all pleasant and the people invariably nice. We really had a great time despite the rain!
Marcial C.
Madrid, Spain
June 2017
Our walk and experience was a huge success. Thank you so very, very much for your help in organizing, planning, and scheduling. Our whole experience with Cotswold Walks was an outstanding one. We got to experience rain for 20 minutes on our last day of walking in Bibury, just enough to justify bringing rain gear!
Nicolette L.
May 2017
We are still smiling over the memories of our trip to the Cotswolds. All three couples agreed that it was a great trip, the walking was very doable for us all, we loved all the villages we stayed in and marvelled at the beautiful countryside we saw along the way. Thank you for the work that you did in putting our walk together. All of those arrangements were flawless. Your directions in your guidebook were spot on. Thanks again for making our trip so effortless, comfortable and oh so enjoyable!
Kren T.
May 2017
Thank you for making our trip so special. Everything was wonderful, the route, the route notes, the accommodations, our luggage being transported and meeting so many wonderful people. We are already talking about the possibility of doing another hiking trip in the Cotswolds.
Judy A.
May 2017
We recently walked the beautiful Cotswold Ring and had an unbelievably good time. The accommodations were great, the breakfasts were fantastic. Part of the magic was following the directions provided, kind of like a treasure hunt, discovering the ancient paths and fields, the historical sites and villages. Then finally descending into each new town, and finding our room and of course the pubs and restaurants, complete with fine menus. Occasionally, on the walk, we got a little off track, had to think for a while, but always found our way. It was part of the fun!
Bill and Adele R.
Canada
May 2017
I'm wonderfully impressed with how smooth everything went for our hiking adventure. Each of the accommodations had a unique flavor and something that set it apart from others. All of the taxis operators were prompt and friendly. The hikes themselves were beautiful, with sights that were often stunning, and with the exception of a few detours to avoid mean looking cattle (haha) and an error in directional judgment on my part, everything came off without a hitch. We were pleasantly surprised to find each accommodation practically under our noses as we walked into town. The Cotswold Walks general information and route notes were always near to our hands and were so helpful with local history and directional information. Thank you so much for your work in making this a memorable holiday! I would highly recommend Cotswold Walks for anyone planning a hiking vacation in the Cotswolds.
Cheryl M.
Canada
May 2017
We had a wonderful time and enjoyed our walks each day. We were impressed with all our accommodations. The breakfasts and service at each was great. Thank you for your part in our experience of the Cotswolds, everything worked so smoothly.
Christina M.
Washington, USA
May 2017
We had a perfect week in the Cotswold. The weather was very fine, the walks were great (not to long or to difficult; very good description) and the B&B’s/hotels were of good quality with very friendly owners. We enjoyed it very much!!
Frans S.
Duivendrecht, The Netherlands
August 2016
Everything went perfectly! Your maps, directions and trip notes were easy to follow, complete and detailed. All of the accommodations were superb. We had a wonderful time, thanks to your attention to detail, and your accommodation of our plans and route choices! Our innkeepers were all so kind and helpful, too. I am looking forward to my next Cotswold adventure! We will be in touch for that.
Susan T. and Paula R.
Maryland, USA
May 2016
We wish to thank you for helping to create such an excellent vacation! We found the guide books and maps very detailed, accurate and concise. We found the accommodation – which varied from quaint historic inns to modern hotels – to be consistently clean, comfortable and well run. The daily luggage transfer was flawless. The walks were an absolute joy. They were far more varied, interesting and followed a well-planned route than we could have imagined. We consider ourselves reasonably experienced travellers, but this was our first walking holiday of this type. We are hooked and look forward to future similar trips, we have told our friends here in Canada of our experiences. Thank you again for such a very good holiday. It all went perfectly and we very much enjoyed every part of it.
Dave & Donna C.
Ottawa, Canada
May 2016
We had a fantastic time! Thank you for all your help - it was a great trip!
Gun D.
Portland, OR
May 2014
We are now back in Canada after having had a great walk in the Cotswolds. The weather could not have been more perfect - not one drop of rain!!! If anything it was a little too hot at times. I appreciate the plans you had for us and the arranged accommodation. The maps were easy to follow - though I did have my iPad with me with various maps just in case!!.. Anyway, Andrew many thanks again we had a marvellous time.
Peter and Bernadette M.
May 2014
Dear Andrew and Elizabeth, I love this trip! Love the walking and accommodations you picked- so different but all comfortable. We received a very warm welcome everywhere which made the time very enjoyable. Best of all was the walking and the routes you chose - it was exactly what I wanted and the serendipitous moments (well, sometimes hours) when we wandered were the best! Seeing such beautiful vistas, thoroughbreds at Cheltenham, lambs and sheep everywhere, bluebell woods several places, Hailes Church, Belas Knap barrow, gardens and flowers everywhere, fields of yellow - it was amazing! Thank you for making my England walking dream a reality!
Meg
Vermont
April 2014
Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed my six days in the Cotswolds and the variety of experiences. The three days of walking were terrific - there was a range things to see and Robert was very informative and good company. Finishing up at Barnsley House with an afternoon tea was a good way to wrap up the week. I was also pleased on a personal note that the ten miles a day wasn't a problem. The pub lunch recharged the batteries. As I said to you at the time I also really enjoyed the day at Rodmartin, Kelmscott and the sidetrack to Tetbury. The gardens have been quite inspirational. Thanks again for your organisation. Everything ran very smoothly.
Maria K.
Melbourne Australia
May 2013
We had a marvellous time. I’ve been telling friends that I can’t think of a single thing to improve the trip. The accommodations were better than we expected and our hosts more than kind and helpful. That goes for you too!
Bob and Monique B. (first time walkers)
VA, USA
September 2012
The accommodation and walking routes were excellent. Easy to understand walking instructions and very detailed maps. The accommodation was great and centrally located in all the villages. All the B&B owners were really helpful especially Alex in Cheltenham. We had a lovely holiday and will be recommending you to all our friends and family. Thanks for helping to sort out parking for the car.
Victoria and Chrisptopher M.
Halifax, UK
September 2012
Our favourite walk was the walk over Cleeve Common to Winchcombe – we did not expect the experience of such a fantastic view at top of hill.
Ed and Elaine K., Peter and Annette W.
BC, Canada
August 2012
Overall the notes were spot on and easy to follow. There were however several ambiguous sections and descriptions and a couple of minor things had changed since the notes were written. For instance the walk from Cheltenham to the common has markers that have changed or are missing. Also, I think it would help to emphasise that you have to follow the notes absolutely exactly. Presuming will get you lost. Also it might help to include distances from one point to the next. Otherwise everything is great.
Gary S. and Ruth L.
May 2012
Thank you so much for your valued feedback. Our routes notes are now updated every year to include any alterations and for 2013 we shall also be adding distances and photos for any areas that have caused confusion.
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.
Please visit the contact page to get in touch.
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