DAY ONE
Arrive in Chipping Campden and overnight at Dormy House hotel for 2 nights.
Arrive at Moreton-in-Marsh train station and transfer to Dormy House hotel.
Transfer to Chipping Campden and explore this historic market town, the loveliest of all Cotswold villages, with its covered marketplace, beautiful 'wool' church, almshouses and silversmiths. Book an optional guided walk of the village if you wish to immerse yourself in the history of the area with a local expert.
DAY TWO
Chipping Campden to Stanton
10.5 miles/16.8 km
Transfer to Chipping Campden and start your adventure at the 400-years-old Market Hall. After leaving Chipping Campden, the Trail takes you out on to the Cotswolds escarpment with stunning views from Dover’s Hill, where the annual “Olimpick Games” are held. The walk continues across the fields and up to Broadway Tower, the 18th century folly from where there are fine views across the vale before descending into the village of Broadway with its historic connections with the Arts & Crafts movement. From Broadway, the Cotswold Way climbs up onto the escarpment, to Shenberrow Hill, and then descends into the charming village of Stanton. Transfer to Dormy House hotel.
DAY THREE
Stanton to Winchcombe
7.5 miles/12 km
Overnight at Ellenborough Park for 2 nights
Transfer to Stanton. After leaving Stanton, the walking becomes easy across the level parkland of the Stanway Estate, with its Jacobean manor and the highest gravity fed fountain in Europe. This section finishes in the hamlet of Wood Stanway. There is a steep climb from Wood Stanway onto the escarpment where you will be rewarded by magnificent views across the Vale of Evesham towards the Malvern Hills. Passing the Iron Age hill fort of Beckbury Camp, you then descent to Hailes with its ruined abbey and little church. The Trail then continues through farmland into Winchcombe. Transfer to Ellenborough Park.
DAY FOUR
Winchcombe to Dowdeswell
11 miles/17.7 km
Transfer to Winchcombe. The Trail leaves the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe close to Sudeley Castle, last resting place of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife. The Trail continues to climb steadily along field paths up to the ancient Neolithic long barrow of Belas Knap. The route then follows a path steeply down through Breakheart Plantation past Postlip Hall before climbing up Cleeve Hill, the highest point of the Cotswolds. Heading south from Cleeve Hill, the route continues across Cleeve Common with extensive views over Cheltenham and far beyond. The Cotswold Way passes through Bill Smylie’s butterfly reserve and on to quiet lanes, before starting the descent through Dowdeswell Wood to the reservoir – one of the few places where the native white clawed crayfish can still be found. Transfer to Ellenborough Park.
DAY FIVE
Dowdeswell to Birdlip
10 miles/16 km
Overnight at The Painswick hotel for 2 nights
Transfer to Dowdeswell. From Dowdeswell, the Cotswold Way passes through Lineover Wood with ancient beeches and large-leaved limes. The route then climbs up to Wistley Plantation and on over farmland before descending to pass close to Seven Springs (believed by some to be the source of River Thames). The path climbs again onto Charlton Kings Common with its breath-taking views across Cheltenham and the Severn Vale and follows the escarpment onto Leckhampton Hill – look out for the distinctive rock pillar known as the Devil’s Chimney. After leaving Leckhampton Hill, the National Trail follows quiet tracks, lanes and paths into Crickley Hill Country Park, with its excellent viewpoints and information about the archaeological finds that indicate many periods of occupation. The Trail then passes through woodlands to then emerge at Birdlip. Transfer to The Painswick.
DAY SIX
Birdlip to Painswick
7 miles/11.2 km
Transfer to Birdlip. From Birdlip, the Trail passes through magnificent semi-natural beech woodlands and on to Coopers Hill, the site of the annual cheese-rolling event. The route then emerges onto Painswick Beacon, where the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort can be seen. Overnight in Painswick, the mid-point of the Cotswold Way.
DAY SEVEN
Painswick to Kings Stanley
9 miles/14.4 km
Overnight at Calcot Manor for 2 nights
The Trail descends to cross the Wash Brook before climbing again onto Edge Common – an open area of grassland with views back over Painswick. The Trail then plunges back into woodland emerging at Haresfield Beacon, and Iron Age hill fort with views of the escarpment and River Severn. The route then descends gently through Standish Woods, with beautiful displays of bluebell and wood anemone in the spring, to emerge into the Stroud Valleys through grass pastures. Here, there is a choice of two routes. One option is to take the route alongside the Stroudwater Canal and up over Selsley Common, whilst the other route runs through King’s Stanley. Transfer to Calcot Manor.
DAY EIGHT
Kings Stanley to Wotton-under-Edge
15 miles/24.1 km
Transfer to King’s Stanley. The Cotswold Way then climbs up into Penn Wood where the two route options converge. The route takes you through the woods on the edge of the escarpment to emerge at Coaley Peak – a picnic area with marvellous views. The Trail then follows another woodland path that eventually emerges into a valley with Cam Long Down ahead. The climb up is steep, but the reward is spectacular 360° views. The Trail then goes down into the market town of Dursley. Leaving Dursley, the Cotswold Way climbs steeply up onto Stinchcombe Hill, then descends through woodland into farmland and follows a track into the village of North Nibley. From here there is another steep ascent to the Tyndale Monument before the route levels out across grassland and through woodland leading onto Wotton Hill. The Trail then descends into the town of Wotton-Under-Edge. Transfer to Calcot Manor.
DAY NINE
Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury
13 miles/20.9 km
Overnight at Manor House for 2 nights
Transfer to Wotton-under-Edge. The Cotswold Way follows a stream out of Wotton-Under-Edge before climbing back up onto the escarpment, passing close to the National Trust property of Newark Park. The Trail then makes for the village of Alderley down a delightful sunken woodland track. From Alderley, the route passes through a peaceful valley where you can see remainders of Medieval ridge-and-furrow either side. On reaching Lower Kilcott, a clear millstream runs alongside the quiet road that the Cotswold Way follows. The Trail then climbs gently up to the Somerset Monument before heading towards the village of Hawkesbury Upton. The Trail climbs up onto Horton Fort with extensive views opening out over the Severn Vale and beyond. The Trail then crosses farmland to the villages of Horton and Old Sodbury. Transfer to Manor House.
DAY TEN
Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton
8.5 miles/13.6 km
Transfer to Old Sodbury. From Old Sodbury, the Cotswold Way passes through fields into the village of Tormarton. The Trail leaves Tormarton to the south, then crosses arable land that eventually leads to a path passing round the perimeter wall of Dyrham Park - a William and Mary mansion nestling in an ancient deer park. From the village of Dyrham, the Trail climbs up through Dyrham Woods before continuing through farmland into the village of Cold Ashton. Transfer to Manor House.
DAY ELEVEN
Cold Ashton to Bath
10 miles/16 km
Overnight at the Royal Crescent
Transfer to Cold Ashton. The Cotswold Way leaves Cold Ashton and the next climb takes you up to the site of the civil war battle of Lansdown. From here the Trail levels out across the plateau, passing the promontory hill fort at Little Down and the famous Bath Racecourse. The path then emerges at Prospect Stile (now a kissing gate), where the first views of Bath can be glimpsed in the valley below. After the Trail passes through farmland and emerges into Weston, it changes in character, becoming more urban as the walk draws to a close. The Trail continues to offer glimpses of fine parks and regency architecture on its way to Bath Abbey, where a carved stone disc set into the pavement marks the end of the Cotswold Way.
DAY TWELVE
Depart after breakfast or add an extra night if you wish to enjoy a guided tour of the city and a chance to explore the Roman Baths and Spa. Options also exist for a guided tour of the outlying villages such as Lacock and Castle Combe and the ancient stone monuments of Avebury and Stonehenge.
