Self-guided walks

About our self-guided walks


The Cotswolds is the perfect place for some of the best walking in England with its quintessential English landscape full of chocolate box villages surrounded by picturesque countryside. That is why COTSWOLD WALKS has created all of its walking holidays to allow you to discover the very best the Cotswolds has to offer and to provide an insight into the area that can only truly be provided by a local company.


Our self-guided walking holidays offer you the greatest sense of independence. Our comprehensive and detailed route notes and maps will guide you through the ancient

network of footpaths that have evolved through the centuries.


What's included with a self-guided walk

 

  • Detailed pre-tour documentation with background information on the UK, travel advice and kit list.
  • Up to date and easy to follow route notes and maps in a handy sized booklet.
  • Voice navigation and offline maps in a mobile app.
  • 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 (upgrades available on request).
  • Breakfast each morning.
  • Door to door luggage services.
  • Local knowledgeable support and assistance when you need it, not just Monday - Friday, 9-5.

 

Choosing a self-guided walk


When choosing a tour, the first thing to consider is how far you wish to walk each day and how many days you can spare for the tour. Walking in the Cotswolds is meant to be relaxing and time is needed along the way to appreciate the natural beauty and soak up the atmosphere.


There are always more things to see and do than you imagine, so please make sure you see our attractions list to allow you to make time for your personal favourites. Some attractions are only open on certain days and may influence the timetable for your tour. We are happy to advise to make sure you miss nothing of interest.


Most of the walks are relatively easy, that is to say the paths are well trodden and there are very few steep inclines and declines. We have graded our walks as easy, moderate, strenuous, and challenging based on the length of walking each day. On average, a person will walk at 2-2.5 miles an hour, allowing for photo stops and navigation.

We based our categories on a pace of 2 miles per hour, which resembles a stroll rather than brisk walking. If you need help determining what your comfortable pace is, please see some helpful tips for beginner walkers on our blog.


Some of our tours have different itineraries and are featured in more than one category, but all our tours can be tailored to your requests. If your desired walking holiday is not listed in your preferred category, please let us know and we will be happy to modify the tour to suit you.


Customise your walk


We have a list of great walks but any of them can be customised to suit your needs and we are happy to call you back and discuss it in person if you prefer. There are many special events that happen throughout the year so please ask us if any coincide with your tour to allow extra time for visiting these.


We can help you make your choice


If the choice of tours proves too much then please give us a call or drop us an e-mail, we are happy to help to tailor-make the perfect tour for you.

Easy


 5-10 MILES PER DAY ON AVERAGE

Walking tours in this category typically involve 3 to 5 hours of walking each day, allowing you plenty of time to explore the Cotswolds. 

Perfect for beginner walkers or those who wish to completely immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area, savour the local pub or tea shop en-route, and soak up the atmosphere.
  • Best of the Cotswolds

    Walk through some of the finest North Cotswold villages with shorter walking days. This walk allows the maximum time to explore the villages and walk at a relaxed pace.


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  • Luxury Short Breaks

    Escape the everyday with a short break and discover the Cotswolds little by little. Spend 2 nights at your selected location, indulge yourself in the luxury service of the best accommodations and enjoy a selection of short walks in the area.


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  • Luxury Tours

    Take advantage of our local expertise and we will provide you with the best experience the Cotswolds has to offer. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty, history and culture of the area by visiting its most famous landmarks during the day, pamper yourself in the spa and finish off every day with a culinary adventure.


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  • Oxford to Bath

    The tour starts off in the University City of Oxford with its dreaming spires and colleges. Winding its way through some of most picturesque villages in Cotswolds, it finishes in the Roman city of Bath with its Georgian architecture and thermal spa for a well earned soak.


    Slightly longer daily distances, but little elevation and optional taxi rides in the mornings.


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  • Cotswold Line - 4 or 5 nights

    This tour includes some of the best walking in the Cotswolds, and can be tailored to suit your needs and budget.


    Choose the 4 or 5 nights option for an easy grade tour.


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  • Cotswold Way - 11 or 12 nights

    The Cotswold Way National Trail is a long distance walking trail of 102 miles (163.2 km) from Chipping Campden to the steps of Bath Abbey. The trail can be walked in either direction.


    Following the escarpment of the Cotswold hills, the trail offers panoramic views across the Severn Vale passing through beech woods, open pasture with dry stone walls and picturesque villages with limestone cottages.


    Choose the 11 or 12 night itinerary (with one or two longer days) for an easy grade tour.


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  • Bath and Wiltshire - with shortcuts

    This tour will take you through some of the most quintessentially English towns and villages.


    Visit the World Heritage Site of Bath with Roman Baths and Spa, and see the iconic villages of Castle Combe and Lacock with its magnificent Abbey.


    Choose the shortcut options for an easy grade tour.


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  • The Thames Path - 16 (or more) nights

    The Thames Path, one of the National Trails follows England’s best-known river from its source in the Cotswolds all the way to the heart of London.


    The Thames Path is a gentle trail without steep climbs, but due to its length it can test your stamina depending on the daily mileage you choose to walk.


    The reward is an array of awe-inspiring natural and cultural sights as the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and cities and picturesque villages.


    Choose the 16 (or more) nights itinerary for an easy grade walk.


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Moderate


10-14 MILES PER DAY ON AVERAGE

As the walking will take 5 to 7 hours each day, you will still have enough time for a relaxed pub lunch and to explore the towns and villages you walk through. 

If you are short of time but would still like to see as much of the Cotswolds as possible, this is the right category for you.
  • The Windrush Way

    A great short break option combining two longer walks along the Windrush and Warden's Way.


    The tour starts and ends in Bourton-on-the-Water, the 'Venice of the Cotswolds', which can be reached from Moreton-in-Marsh train station with direct links to London Paddington.


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  • The Cotswold Way - 9 or 10 nights

    The Cotswold Way National Trail is a long distance walking trail of 102 miles (163.2 km) from Chipping Campden to the steps of Bath Abbey. The trail can be walked in either direction.


    Following the escarpment of the Cotswold hills, the trail offers panoramic views across the Severn Vale passing through beech woods, open pasture with dry stone walls and picturesque villages with limestone cottages.


    Choose the 9 or 10 night itinerary for a moderate grade tour.


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  • The South Cotswold Ring

    Longer walking days compared to the Cotswold Ring with more undulating terrain on lesser walked footpaths make this a more adventurous walk.


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  • Cotswold Line - 3 nights

    This tour includes some of the best walking in the Cotswolds, and can be tailored to suit your needs and budget.


    Choose the 3 nights option for a moderate grade tour.


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  • The Cotswold

    Identical to the Best of the Cotswolds but walked in less time, with longer walking days. This makes the tour ideal for more adventurous walkers, who are fitter to cover more ground and still have time to explore the villages on arrival.


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  • The Cotswold Ring

    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.


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  • Oxford to Bath

    The tour starts off in the University City of Oxford with its dreaming spires and colleges. Winding its way through some of most picturesque villages in Cotswolds, it finishes in the Roman city of Bath with its Georgian architecture and thermal spa for a well earned soak.


    For a moderate grade tour, choose not to take taxi transfers in the mornings and take the longer route on the last walking day.


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  • Bath and Wiltshire

    This tour will take you through some of the most quintessentially English towns and villages.


    Visit the World Heritage Site of Bath with Roman Baths and Spa, and see the iconic villages of Castle Combe and Lacock with its magnificent Abbey.


    For a moderate grade tour, choose not to take the shortcut options.


    FIND OUT MORE

  • The Thames Path - 14 or 15 nights

    The Thames Path, one of the National Trails follows England’s best-known river from its source in the Cotswolds all the way to the heart of London.


    The Thames Path is a gentle trail without steep climbs, but due to its length it can test your stamina depending on the daily mileage you choose to walk.


    The reward is an array of awe-inspiring natural and cultural sights as the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and cities and picturesque villages.


    Choose the 14 or 15 nights itinerary for a moderate grade walk.


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Strenuous


 16-18 MILES PER DAY ON AVERAGE

The walks in this category involve 8 to 9 hours of walking each day. Although you will still have a chance to experience the charming villages and chat with locals, you will spend most of your time walking on the trail.

We recommend these walks to experienced or quick walkers, who love to spend most of their time out in nature.
  • The Cotswold Triangle

    This tour will suit confident walkers who wish to stretch themselves that little bit further. Longer walking distances mean you need to be fit and willing to walk for 7-8 hours a day to get the most from this walk.


    The scenery is stunning and a hearty breakfast sets you up for the day.


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  • The Cotswold Way - 8 nights

    The Cotswold Way National Trail is a long distance walking trail of 102 miles (163.2 km) from Chipping Campden to the steps of Bath Abbey. The trail can be walked in either direction.


    Following the escarpment of the Cotswold hills, the trail offers panoramic views across the Severn Vale passing through beech woods, open pasture with dry stone walls and picturesque villages with limestone cottages.


    Choose the 8 night itinerary for a strenuous grade tour.


    FIND OUT MORE

  • The Thames Path - 12 or 13 nights

    The Thames Path, one of the National Trails follows England’s best-known river from its source in the Cotswolds all the way to the heart of London.


    The Thames Path is a gentle trail without steep climbs, but due to its length it can test your stamina depending on the daily mileage you choose to walk.


    The reward is an array of awe-inspiring natural and cultural sights as the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and cities and picturesque villages.


    Choose the 12 or 13 nights itinerary for a strenuous grade walk.


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Challenging

18+ MILES PER DAY ON AVERAGE
We recommend these tours to experienced walkers who enjoy a physical challenge and wish to put their stamina to the test. We are happy to modify any of our tours to suit your preferences.

  • The Cotswold Way - 7 or fewer nights, some steep ascents and descents

    The Cotswold Way National Trail is a long distance walking trail of 102 miles (163.2 km) from Chipping Campden to the steps of Bath Abbey. The trail can be walked in either direction.


    Following the escarpment of the Cotswold hills, the trail offers panoramic views across the Severn Vale passing through beech woods, open pasture with dry stone walls and picturesque villages with limestone cottages.


    Choose the 7 night itinerary for a challenging grade tour.


    FIND OUT MORE

  • The Thames Path - 11 or fewer nights, little elevation involved

    The Thames Path, one of the National Trails follows England’s best-known river from its source in the Cotswolds all the way to the heart of London.


    The Thames Path is a gentle trail without steep climbs, but due to its length it can test your stamina depending on the daily mileage you choose to walk.


    The reward is an array of awe-inspiring natural and cultural sights as the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and cities and picturesque villages.


    Choose the 11 nights itinerary for a challenging grade tour.


    FIND OUT MORE