Independent walking holidays in The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are a range of gentle hills northeast of the city of Bath, near Cheltenham and Stratford-on-Avon. It is a walking holiday for those who want an easy introduction to walking in the English countryside. It is an entrancing mixture of parkland, fields surrounded by dry-stone walls and beautiful towns and villages built with honey-coloured limestone. 

This walk is offered as three different holidays. You can walk for 6 nights on the North Trail, 6 nights on the South Trail or combine the two for an 11 night walk covering the complete trail.

COMPLETE TRAIL 
No of Nights :          11
Starts at:    Chipping Campden                Ends at:   Bath
Grade:                     Easy      101 miles with 7-12½ miles and up to 1,600ft of ascent in a day
Dates available:      Start any day from April to October 
Accommodation:     Comfortable country inns and hotels with private bath..
Meals included:       Breakfast daily.
Price:                      825 GBP (Great Britain Pounds)  based on double

SOUTH TRAIL
No of Nights :          6
Starts at:   Painswick                   Ends at:   Bath
Grade:                     Easy      54 miles with 9½ -12 miles and up to 1,600ft of ascent in a day.
Dates available:      Start any day from April to October 
Accommodation:     Comfortable country inns and hotels with private bath..
Meals included:       Breakfast daily.
Price:                      499 GBP (Great Britain Pounds)  based on double

NORTH TRAIL
No of Nights :          6
Starts at:     Chipping Campden                 Ends at:   Painswick
Grade:                     Easy      47 miles with 7-12½ miles and up to 1,430ft of ascent in a day.
Dates available:      Start any day from April to October 
Accommodation:     Comfortable country inns and hotels with private bath..
Meals included:       Breakfast daily.
Price:                      449 GBP (Great Britain Pounds)  based on double



Complete Trail Itinerary:       

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Chipping Campden to Stanton
10 miles, 16km, 395m ascent and 430m descent     Today’s walk offers panoramic views, passing Broadway Tower, and the pretty village of Broadway. Explore before continuing to the equally charming village of Stanton, where you will be picked up by taxi and taken to your accommodation.

Day 3: Stanton to Winchcombe
8 miles, 12.5km, 200m ascent and 230m descent    Return to Stanton to continue your walk. This part of the Cotswold Way takes you past Stanway House, famous for its late-renaissance architecture. Stop and explore the historic ruins of Hailes Abbey enroute, before continuing to Winchcombe, where you can visit the impressive Norman fortress of Sudley Castle.

Day 4: Winchcombe to Dowdeswell Reservoir
12.5 miles, 20km, 430m ascent and 410m descent   The trail continues through pretty countryside to the 4000-year-old burial mound of Belas Knapp Long Barrow. Enjoy the pleasant scenery and walk to Dowdeswell Reservoir, from where you will be picked up and taken to your accommodation.

Day 5: Dowdeswell Reservoir to Birdlip
9.5 miles, 15km, 390m ascent and 220m descent   From Dowdeswell Reservoir continue past the Devil’s Chimney, admiring distant views of Gloucester. Relax, with a break at the Air Balloon pub, before completing today’s walk at Birdlip.

Day 6: Birdlip to Painswick
7 miles, 11km, 296m ascent and 395m descent  Entering Wincombe Wood, pass the remains of a Roman Villa and carry on to Cooper’s Hill. Stop and enjoy the view before continuing towards Prinknash Abbey and Bird Park, and the idyllic village of Painswick.

Day 7: Painswick to Uley Bury
12 miles, 19km, 480m ascent,   Begin today with a walk through the woods, and distant views of Gloucester Cathedral. Pass Stanley Woollen Mills, a reminder of the Cotswolds’ wool making history, before reaching the remains of the Iron Age fort at Uley Bury.

Day 8: Uley Bury to Wotton-under-Edge
9.5 miles, 15.5km,421m ascent  A few steep ascents and descents are rewarded by panoramic views. Walking through the village of Dursley, past the memorial built to honour the martyr William Tyndale, our walk finishes in the pretty village of Wotton-under-Edge.

Day 9: Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury
12 miles, 19km, 400m ascent, 351m descent  Today’s walk passes interesting Cotswold houses such as Horton Court, thought to be the oldest house along the trail. Continue along the Cotswold Way to another hill fort, before arriving at Old Sodbury.

Day 10: Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton
10.5 miles, 16.8km, 180m ascent, 125m descent  Walk through Doddington Park and on to Tormarton, where you can take a well-earned break in the traditional tea-room. Pass the impressive house and grounds of Dyrham Park, before ending the day in Cold Ashton.

Day 11: Cold Ashton to Bath
10 miles/ 16km, 140m ascent, 316m descent   The last section of the Cotswold Way takes in some fantastic views and takes you over an English Civil War battleground. Your arrival in the stunning city of Bath marks the end of the Cotswold Way. Take a stroll around what has to be one of the most beautiful cities in Britain, and toast your success upon completing the trail.

Day 12: Departure Day