Oxford to Bath or Bath to Oxford

Walk Details:

Duration: 9 nights / 8 days walking

Distance: 103 miles / 164.8 km

Grade: Easy to moderate


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.


This tour has the unique attraction of being able to be walked in either direction to suit your needs.


Taxi transfers are arranged each day for the luggage transfers which allows for the added flexibility of shortening any of the day's walks and allowing more time in any of the villages that interest you the most. Please ask for further details at the time of booking.


Upgraded accommodation available on request.

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Prices from:

£1,585pp

Price based on 2 people sharing an en-suite room.

Start any day. *


Make the tour extra special and book 2 nights in Tetbury to visit Highgrove Royal Gardens.*

 

*Please see Key Points for details.


Special Offers - Discover our exclusive Special Offers—tours designed to be ready "off the rack," with guaranteed availability as described.

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Day to Day Itinerary

Similar in distance to the Cotswold Way but only half the ascent, this walk not only offers great walking but also includes some of the most scenic Cotswold villages in the southern Cotswolds.

The historical and culturally acclaimed city of Oxford is the most prestigious and oldest university city in England with a wealth of attractions.

Highlights of the tour include the chance to visit the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, the award winning Roman museum in Cirencester, an optional tour of Prince Charles's Highgrove Gardens*, and relaxing in the splendour of Bath, with its Roman baths and sweeping Regency crescents immortalised in the novels of Jane Austen.

Itinerary Options

  • Oxford to Bath - from £1,585pp

    DAY ONE

    Arrive in Oxford and overnight.

    Extra nights can be booked on request.


    Optional guided walking tour of the city to include the ancient University colleges, discover the Harry Potter and J.R.R Tolkien connections or visit the world-famous Ashmolean museum.


    DAY TWO

    Oxford to Woodstock

    11.25 miles/18 km


    The walk begins by following the River Thames before joining the Oxford Canal and the Shakespeare Way. The route passes flood plain meadows with sweeping views back to Oxford, a derelict nunnery and the church at Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is laid to rest, before ending up in the picturesque town of Woodstock.


    If time allows, consider a visit to Blenheim Palace and then return again the next day as your ticket is valid for a year!


    Stay overnight in Woodstock.


    DAY THREE

    Woodstock to Witney

    11.5 miles/18.4 km


    Re-visit Blenheim Palace before setting off through Capability Brown's wonderful landscaped grounds towards the village of Combe. Continue on through the lush green Oxfordshire countryside to the busy town of Witney once famous for its blankets. Stay overnight in Witney.


    DAY FOUR

    Witney to Burford

    10.5 miles/16.8 km


    Follow the River Windrush and head into the heart of the Cotswolds. The route passes Minster Lovell, the site of a ruined medieval manor, and we also explore Swinbrook village and church, where 4 of the infamous Mitford sisters are buried. Your walk ends in the bustling medieval town of Burford famed for its 'wool church' and huge flocks of sheep used to be washed in the river Windrush at the foot of the high street. Stay overnight in Burford.


    DAY FIVE

    Burford to Bibury (Optional extension: Eastleach)

    13 or 14 miles/20.8 or 22.4 km


    After leaving Burford we follow high ground with wide-open views of the countryside. The route passes through the quiet hamlet of Holwell, through part of the River Leach valley and follows the Roman road to Hatherop. Your next stop is Coln St Aldwyns and a picturesque walk along the River Coln to Bibury, described by designer and writer William Morris as "the most beautiful village in England". Stay overnight in Bibury.


    DAY SIX

    Bibury to Cirencester

    11 miles/17.6 km


    The day begins by heading through the village of Barnsley, past Barnsley House with its acclaimed garden designed by its former resident, Rosemary Verey. We cross pasture and arable fields to Ampney Crucis before heading to the Roman town of Cirencester (Corinium), the second largest town in Britain during Roman times. You can visit the Abbey or enjoy a stroll in the grounds of the Bathurst Estate nearby. The award winning museum is also a must see. Stay overnight in Cirencester.


    DAY SEVEN

    Cirencester to Tetbury

    13.75 miles/22 km


    Leave the Roman town to head through the grounds of the Royal Agriculture College to follow the disused Thames and Severn Canal. The landscape of gently rolling hills on this stage of the walk is primarily used for farmland, including grazing of sheep and grain production. Our final destination is the small town of Tetbury, with its independent specialist shops and the Prince of Wales's original "Highgrove Shop". Please ask us about the chance to visit Highgrove Gardens. Stay overnight in Tetbury.


    You can shorten this day by visiting the important Arts and Crafts house and gardens at Rodmarton. This is an 8 mile walk and there is a bus service to Tetbury on Wednesdays. 


    DAY EIGHT

    Tetbury to Castle Combe

    15 miles/24 km


    Walking out of Tetbury we skirt the side of the Highgrove Estate and follow the Monarch’s Way through a typical Cotswold landscape and through the National Arboretum at Westonbirt. We then head through charming Cotswold villages and drop down into Castle Combe, to admire the picturesque high street lined with former weavers' cottages and the film set location for War Horse and Stardust. Stay overnight in Castle Combe.


    DAY NINE

    Castle Combe to Bath

    17 miles/27.2 km

    13.75  miles/22 km with optional shortcut

    8.5 miles/13.6 km each day with extra night in Marshfield


    The final stretch of our Cotswold journey leads us through a number of wooded valleys on the way to the old market town of Marshfield. Continuing through the serene Cotswold countryside we reach Batheaston where we follow the canal back to Bath for a triumphant entrance to the city, finishing up at the steps of Bath Abbey. Stay overnight Bath. 


    This day can be shortened to include an extra night in Marshfield to make the last 2 days approx. 8.5 miles each. Please contact us for further details.


    DAY TEN

    Depart after breakfast.

  • Bath to Oxford - from £1,585pp

    DAY ONE

    Arrive in Bath and overnight.


    DAY TWO

    Bath to Castle Combe

    17 miles/22.7 km


    The first part of our Cotswold journey takes us along the Bath canal, through Batheaston and on to Marshfield, an old market town. It leads us through a number of wooded valleys on the way to Castle Combe. Stay overnight in Castle Combe.


    DAY THREE

    Castle Combe to Tetbury

    15.25 miles/24.5 km


    Heading out of Castle Combe, the film set location for 'War Horse' and 'Stardust', we follow the Monarch’s Way through a typical Cotswold landscape and through the National Arboretum at Westonbirt.  We skirt the side of the Highgrove Estate as we arrive in Tetbury; please ask us if you'd like to visit Highgrove Gardens. Stay overnight in Tetbury.


    DAY FOUR

    Tetbury to Cirencester

    13.75 miles/22 km


    The landscape of gently rolling hills on this stage of the walk is primarily used for farmland, including grazing of sheep and grain production.  We follow the disused Thames and Severn Canal and head through the grounds of the Royal Agriculture College into the Roman town of Cirencester (Corinium), the second largest town in Britain during Roman times. The award-winning museum is also a must-see. You can visit the Abbey or enjoy a stroll in the grounds of the Bathurst Estate nearby. Stay overnight in Cirencester.


    DAY FIVE

    Cirencester to Bibury

    11 miles /17.7 km


    Heading out of the town of Cirencester, we cross pasture and arable fields to Ampney Crucis before eventually reaching the village of Barnsley. We pass by Barnsley House with its acclaimed garden designed by its former resident, Rosemary Verey, before reaching Bibury, described by designer and writer William Morris as 'the most beautiful village in England'. Stay overnight in Bibury.


    DAY SIX

    Bibury to Burford (Optional extension: Eastleach)

    13 or 14 miles/21.1 or 22.4 km


    Leaving Bibury, we walk along the River Coln to Coln St. Aldwyns, through part of the River Leach valley and follow the Roman road to Hatherop. We pass through the quiet hamlet of Holwell and follow high ground with wide-open views of the countryside into Burford. The town is famed for its 'wool church' and huge flocks of sheep that were once washed in the river Windrush at the foot of the high street. Stay overnight in Burford.


    DAY SEVEN

    Burford to Witney

    10.5 miles/16.7 km


    As we head out of Burford, we head into the heart of the Cotswolds. The route passes Swinbrook village and church, where 4 of the infamous Mitford sisters are buried, and Minster Lovell, the site of a ruined medieval manor. We end our day in the busy town of Witney, once famous for its blankets. Stay overnight in Witney.


    DAY EIGHT

    Witney to Woodstock

    11.25 miles/18.2 km


    Heading through the lush green Oxfordshire countryside to the village of Combe, we walk through Capability Brown's wonderful landscaped grounds and towards Blenheim Palace. If time allows, why not visit Blenheim Palace and then return again the next day, as your ticket is valid for a year!  Stay overnight in Woodstock.


    DAY NINE

    Woodstock to Oxford

    11.25 miles/18 km


    The route passes a derelict nunnery and the church at Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is laid to rest and ends by following the Shakespeare Way, before joining the Oxford Canal and the River Thames into Oxford. Stay overnight in Oxford.


    DAY TEN

    Depart after breakfast.

Key Points

Supplements will be applicable for certain accommodations on Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday night stays in Tetbury may not be possible unless a 2 night stay is booked.

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.

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

What an absolute pleasure it has been journeying through your most beautiful Cotswold’s we truly appreciated all the diversity you & the land offered us!! 

Simply a wonderful adventure! We’re sad to leave, yet so grateful for the experience! 


We’ve managed to avoid the rain & most of the trip we were blessed with sunshine! ☀️ 


Off to Oxford this morning!


Cheers! ☺️

Peter D.

May 2024

The walk from Oxford to Bath was splendid, perhaps a too-well kept secret.

Chris A.

September 2023

We loved our walk with your company. We wish we could use Cotswold Walks all over the world.

Sarah K. H.

June 2023

We had a great time. Everyone we met while walking (locals) were so kind an friendly; offering advice and conversation. They were interested in what we were doing and often surprised that we were walking from Oxford to Bath. The people were just lovely. The innkeepers and their staffs were wonderful - great service, suggestions and help. Food and drink were great every where - did not have a bad meal or pint!

Donna S.

May 2023

Thanks again guys.

We had a wonderful visit to England and your choice of Inns to stay were spot on. From Sylvia at the "Oxford Coach and Horses" to Toni in Bath at the "Chestnut House" were all friendly and lovely people to meet and spend time with. Your recommendation for the timing of our visit with the weather was perfect for walking and enjoying the countryside.


We really had a blast. Thank you for a job well done. 


Until next time, thanks again.

John and Patti B.

September 2022

My husband and I took this trip to celebrate our 25th anniversary. For both of us, our walk from Oxford to Bath has been our favorite travel adventure ever. Every day was a surprise. Each turn in the road, walk through a wood, path into a field, entrance into a village, meal at a pub, arrival at our B&B each evening; was like unwrapping a present. Our journey was a wonderful combination of beauty, challenge and history. There was a great sense of accomplishment at the end of every day. We can’t wait to try another walking adventure. Over the course of our walk I communicated with Adam. His responses were always timely and friendly. When we decided to modify our final walking day to have more time in Bath, but get to walk into the city along the canal, he helped us make that happen. My husband (a man of few words) says, “it was life changing; I'm hooked”. He’s already trying to figure out when and where to walk next. He absolutely loved it.
Kim P.
September 2019
We had a fantastic time, thanks for everything! We’re looking forward to doing another trip next year.
Sue W.
September 2017
Our walk was excellent! All the accommodation was great. The last day, from Castle Combe was brutal - first 9 miles uphill on thin paths with bushes and then we go lost on track roads with ankle deep mud! Not your fault, however! I wanted to quit when we got to Marshfield, but could barely face telling my family and friends that we did it all EXCEPT for the last 9 miles! The afternoon was a piece of cake! Also important - the pub lunch every day!
Janet I.
August 2017
I must thank you for arranging the walking trip. I had a wonderful time despite of some difficulties finding some of the footpaths and getting terribly lost a few times. Most of the lodges were very good. Pollen in Woodstock was just acceptable, and I understand there's a big festival that weekend. All in all, I have a wonderful experience and will come back again next year for another walk.
Siew-Chinn C.
California, USA
July 2017
All done and already dreaming of the next walk. Thanks again for all your help.
Mary H.
July 2017
Overall, we had a very positive experience. We were very fortunate with the weather, experiencing only about 15 minutes of light rain during our week of walking. Given that we had done something quite similar a year ago, we knew exactly what to expect and we weren’t disappointed or surprised at anything.

All of the reservations that we had booked with Andrew before leaving Canada were honoured, and the inns and B&Bs were extremely welcoming. One of the strengths of your company is your experience at organizing things for the “last minute traveller”. We really appreciate all the work that went into reserving our accommodations during the two weeks prior to our trip. All the luggage transfers occurred very smoothly each day. We also found that the restaurants that were recommended in your guidebook were quite or very good and well described in your reading materials. We have spoken highly of our two trips with you and would not hesitate to recommend you to our friends who may be considering vacations of this kind. Thank you for having made it another excellent trip to the UK for us.
Brian and Cynthia A.
April 2017

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