Trail Itineraries

Enjoy magical walking with long distance views from the Cotswold escarpment on a journey through picturesque villages, stunning woodlands, pretty pastoral scenery and past famous ancient sites, ending in the World Heritage City of Bath. Explore the Cotswold Way for three days, a week or even longer. Find inspiration for your walking adventure using our suggested itineraries, or select one of our bookable itineraries which are highlighted with a star.

North Cotswold Way: Marvellous Mini-Adventure On Foot

Head off on a three-day self-guided walk across the Cotswolds, complete with rolling hills, handpicked hotels, heritage sites and hidden…

11 KM

Moderate

Well signed

Regency Ramble: Cotswold Way Highlights from Cheltenham

Stay in elegant Cheltenham for a sophisticated walking mini-break, including historic houses, charming villages and glorious Cotswold countryside.

10 KM

Moderate

Well signed

Cotswold Way: Luxury Walking Short Break

Spend four delightful days strolling around the glorious villages and rolling hills of the north Cotswolds, in high style

7 KM

Gentle

Well signed

The Complete Cotswold Way Guided Trail

Soak up amazing views and stunning panoramas on this fully-guided 11-day itinerary from Bath to Chipping Campden.

161 KM

Moderate

Well signed

Top locations on the itinerary
Whitby Abbey

Perched high on a cliff, it's easy to see why the haunting remains of Whitby…
Staithes

Staithes means a landing place and the small harbour here is one of the few…
Highpoints and Highlights of the Cotswold Way

Spend a week discovering scenic and historic highlights of the Cotswold Way, including 2 nights in the city of Bath.

91 KM

Moderate

Well signed

Top locations on the itinerary
Great Witcombe Roman Villa

The remains of this large and luxurious Roman villa lie in a peaceful setting near…
Sudeley Castle & Gardens

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle & Gardens has played an important…
Classic Cotswold Way: Chipping Campden to Bath

Explore beautiful countryside on a 10 day/ 11 night journey taking in quintessential villages, stately homes, gardens and castles along…

164 KM

Moderate

Well signed

Romans, Regency, Rural Splendour: Hikes and History in Bath and the Cotswolds

Spend two or three days immersed in the rich heritage, billowing hills, literary connections and country pubs of one of…

11 KM

Moderate

Well signed

A Step Back in Time: Arts, Crafts and Ambling in the North Cotswolds

Take a three-day journey into the past, exploring the valley-tumbling villages, creative heritage and soul-stirring countryside of south-central England

7.5 KM

Moderate

Well signed

The Cotswold Way History Trek

Relax and spend 5 days revelling in gorgeous scenery along the idyllic northern section of the Cotswold Way.

39 KM

Gentle

Well signed

Heart of the Cotswolds

Explore the central section of the Cotswold Way over 5 days, starting in historic Painswick and ending in charming Tormarton.

61 KM

Gentle

Well signed

Cotswold Way

Click the play button to see the highlights of the Cotswold Way

DAYS

10

DISTANCE

164km

Trail Information

Find useful facts and learn more about the Cotswold Way below. Select the blue tabs below for more details.

  • About the Trail
  • Exploring the Trail
  • What is special about the Trail?
  • Getting there
  • Accommodation

About the Trail

Extending from the quintessentially English market town of Chipping Campden to the Roman city of Bath, the 102 mile (164 km) Cotswold Way has existed as a promoted long-distance walk for over 40 years.

Following the western edge of the Cotswold Hills, the route journeys through rolling pastures, beech woodland and honey-coloured villages built from Cotswold stone.

You will explore ancient commons in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, pass Neolithic burial barrows, stately homes and historic battle sites. The stunning path along the Cotswold escarpment offers ever-changing views to the west towards the River Severn and the Malvern Hills.

Exploring the Trail

Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk the Cotswold Way, although many walkers are surprised at the frequency of steep climbs.

The National Trail is very well way-marked so following the route is easy. But it is always a good idea to take a guidebook or map.

The Cotswold Way can be walked in all seasons. However, if you want to enjoy clear views from the Cotswold escarpment, then crisp winter days, autumn and spring may be the best time to visit. Late spring and early summer are great times to see the grasslands in all their glory and the beech woodlands are at their best in spring and autumn.

What is special about the Trail?

Renowned for its sheer diversity, the Cotswold Way incorporates some of England’s prettiest villages and passes historic sites such as the City of Bath World Heritage Site, the Neolithic burial chamber at Belas Knap, Sudeley Castle, Hailes Abbey and many churches and historic houses.

One minute you will be in wildflower meadows, the next shaded woodlands. You could breakfast in a sleepy village, lunch in a thriving market town and eat dinner under the stars – no two days will be the same!

Getting there

By plane

The closest airports to the Cotswold Way are at Birmingham and Bristol. Both airports are located 60 to 90 minutes away by car. London Heathrow Airport is 90 minutes away. Both airports offer excellent public transport links.

By train

Reaching the Cotswolds Way by train is easy and the area is at the heart of the British Rail network, with main line trains connecting to London, the Midlands, the North and the South West of England.

Moreton-in-Marsh is the nearest main line train station to the start of the trail at Chipping Campden, so you will need to use a bus or taxi service to complete the journey to Chipping Campden.

Other well-linked railway stations along the route can be found at Cheltenham, Stroud and Bath.

For detailed rail information please see www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com.

By bus

There are many local bus services linking main towns close to the Cotswold Way, including the RailBus services linking to the Cotswolds and Malverns Line trains.
You can find up-to-date information at www.traveline.info.

By car

The Cotswold Way has excellent road links to the M4, M5 and M40, providing easy access to and from London, Birmingham and the national motorway network.

Accommodation

This National Trail passes through the very best landscapes – places you may want to explore for several days at a time. From cosy country inns to characterful cottages, we’ve got your accommodation near the Cotswold Way covered. You can find accommodation along the trail by using our interactive map.

Discover charming villages and ancient sites

Explore the honey-coloured Cotswolds and find picturesque places to visit, Neolithic sites and fascinating attractions, ending in historic Bath..

Dyrham Park

Dyrham Park is a baroque country house in an ancient deer park near the village of Dyrham in South Gloucestershire, England. The house, attached orangery, stable block and accompanying parish church are Grade I listed buildings, while the…

Woodchester Mansion & Woodchester Park

Woodchester Mansion is a 19th-century Victorian Gothic Masterpiece that was mysteriously abandoned mid-construction. Hidden in a secluded Cotswold Valley, it is untouched by time and the modern world. This Grade…

Great Witcombe Roman Villa

The remains of this large and luxurious Roman villa lie in a peaceful setting near the Cotswold Way. Once at the heart gof a large country estate, the villa was…

Battledown Brewery

Now in new premises in the exciting Dowdeswell Park development and operating a busy thirteen-hectoliter brew-plant, Battledown Brewery produces fine beers for local public houses, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Over…

Sudeley Castle & Gardens

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle & Gardens has played an important role in England’s history for over 1,000 years. The castle was once home to Queen…

GWR Steam Railway

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is a must-see while you are in Winchcombe. Entirely run by volunteers, it has a full program of rides and events throughout the year, from Santa…

Broadway Museum & Art Gallery

Tudor House was built in the 17th century as a coaching inn to serve the Ludlow to London route. It has been extended and adapted over the years, but still…

Court Barn A Museum of Craft & Design

A visit to Court Barn brings to life the talented designers and craftspeople who have worked in Chipping Campden and the north Cotswolds since the beginning of the twentieth century.…

Hidcote Manor Gardens

Experience one of the country's great gardens just a short car/taxi ride from Chipping Campden Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts garden in the north Cotswolds, a stone’s throw from…

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