Self-Guided Tours

SELF GUIDED TOURS / THE SOUTH COTSWOLD TRAIL

A six night circular walking tour of the Cotswolds

Leave any day you like subject to accommodation availability
'The South Cotswold Trail' is a unique village-to-village walking tour which has been created by Cotswold Walking Holidays. The 'Trail' offers walking in some of the least visited parts of the Cotswolds, following a circular route of just over 70 miles/112 kms

TO BOOK:	contact cotswoldwalks@star.co.uk or Tel: (44) (0)1242 518888
INCLUDED:	6 nights B & B, luggage transportation each walking day, route notes and maps, local back-up

Day 1: Overnight in Regency Cheltenham.

Day 2: Cheltenham to Bourton-on-the-Water (24 kms/15 miles)

From Cheltenham climb gently up the Cotswold escarpment to the high wolds and head towards the lovely villages of Naunton and Guiting Power. The trail follows the pretty River Windrush, passing through the site of a 'lost' medieval village, before entering Bourton-on-the-Water with it many attractions.

Day 3: Bourton-on-the-Water to Northleach (17 kms/11 miles)

The route passes through Bourton's water park then ascends to the Rissingtons, before descending to Sherborne and then on to the historic village of Northleach with perhaps the finest of all Cotswold wool churches, as well as a fascinating museum devoted to mechanical music.

Day 4: Northleach to Cirencester (22 kms/14 miles)

Pass close by Hampnet with its charming church and head across country towards the palatial magnificence of Stowell Park. Arrive at the village of Chedworth with its welcoming pub (and nearby fine Roman villa), before walking to Cirencester, the second town of Roman Britain with its excellent Corinium Museum, market square, and the largest parish church in England.

Day 5: Cirencester to Painswick (21km /13.5 miles)

From Cirencester walk to Sapperton, once a centre for William Morris's Arts & Crafts Movement. Follow the remains of the Thames & Severn Canal (one of the great feats of 18th century engineering) and pass through a succession of tranquil villages to Bisley with its handsome church and 'Poor Soul's Light', before journeying through woodland to Painswick, 'Queen of the Cotswolds'

Day 6: Painswick to Cheltenham (20kms/13 miles)

From Painswick walk across Laurie Lee's 'Cider with Rosie' country to Sheepscombe, charmingly scattered along a beautiful valley. Through woodland and across country to Birdlip, joining the Cotswold Way to walk along the Cotswold escarpment with far-reaching views across the city of Gloucester to the Malvern Hills and the Welsh Mountains, before descending into Cheltenham.

Day 7: Departure after breakfast

Optional extension to Burford from Bourton on the Water making this a 7 night holiday.

Bourton on the Water to Burford. (15 kms./9.5 miles)

A comfortable walk from Bourton takes you around a series of lakes, the home of flocks of water birds, and passes through Taynton, whose quarries produced the finest Cotswold stone used in the construction of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and many Oxford colleges. For those who want to spend extra time in the area, there are regular buses between Burford and Oxford.

Burford to Northleach (17kms/10.5 miles)

From Burford walk along the pretty Windrush valley and passing through a succession of charming villages, including Windrush, Sherborne and finally Northleach with perhaps the finest of all Cotswold wool churches, as well as a fascinating museum devoted to mechanical music.

Additional cost: £45.00 per person staying in B+B
£75.00 per person staying in hotel such as the Bay Tree or similar.

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.