Hiking the Cotswold Way

Day 1: Arrive Broadway
Independent travel to Broadway. There are frequent departures from London’s Paddington Station direct to Moretown-In-Marsh or Evesham. Broadway can then be reach by taxi or bus. Total travel time is about 3 hours.Tucked beneath Fish Hill and lying along the western Cotswold escarpment, Broadway village is considered by some to be “the jewel of the Cotswold.” Its charming main street, uniquely bordered by wide grass verges and lined with stately red chestnut trees, abounds with shops, galleries, and restaurants worth perusing.We’ll have time to explore the village and begin to learn something of its rich history before our evening orientation meeting and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Chipping Campden to Broadway
We start our day with a transfer to the lovely historic market town of Chipping Campden, our official starting point of the Cotswold Way.  We’ll first shop for lunch items and snacks in the downtown area where there are cafes, shops, a post office, and pharmacy.Setting out, we’ll pass St. Catharine’s church before joining the Cotswold footpath. Gradually ascending Dover’s Hill onto the Cotswold escarpment, we’ll have expansive views of the Vale of Evesham. Continuing through fields and along wooded paths, we’ll arrive at the Broadway Tower. Located atop Beacon Hill and within a 50-acre privately owned park, Broadway Tower (312 m / 1,024’)) is the second highest point in the Cotswolds. Whimsically resembling a castle, the tower was built in 1794 for Lady Coventry and continues to be an iconic landmark. We’ll break to explore the tower, enjoy views, and perhaps have a cup of tea at the café before continuing downward through fields to Broadway.Elevation gain: 567’; Elevation loss: 790’; Distance: 6 miles; Time: 3 hrs.
Day 3: Broadway to Winchcombe
Today is a day of ups and downs as we hike to the village of Stanton and then on to Winchcombe. We start with an upward climb to Shenberrow Camp, the remains of an Iron Age settlement. From here, it’s back down through woods and grassy fields to the pretty little hamlet of Stanton. Our route takes on an easier grade as we walk through the grounds of the Stanway Estate with its medieval tithe barn and Jacobian manor house, frequented by J. M. Barrie in the 1920s. Then it’s up again through scenic countryside to the site of the yet another Iron Age hill fort, Beckberry Camp. Descending steeply towards the ruins of Hailes Abbey, we’ll make our way to the village of Winchcombe and our hotel for the night.

Elevation gain: 1,355’; Elevation loss: 1,365’; Distance: 12 miles; Time: 5½ – 6 hrs.

Day 4: Winchcombe to Dowdeswell
Once again, our day starts with a steady climb up to the ancient Neolithic site of Belas Knap, a burial chamber thought to have been built in 3000 BCE.  Descending steeply on a wooded path through Breakheart Plantation, we again climb upward to Cleeve Hill summit (1,083′), the highest point of the Way. Here we find a delightful mix of sheep, golfers, and hikers. We’ll have spectacular views over Cheltenham and on a clear day we might see as far as the Brecon Beacons in Wales. As we continue across the Cleeve Common and the escarpment, we’ll walk through Prestbury Hill Butterfly Reserve before descending through the Dowdeswell Wood. We’ll be met at Dowdeswell reservoir for transfer to our accommodation for the night.

Elevation gain: 1,467’; Elevation loss: 1,414’; Distance: 11 miles; Time: 5½ – 6 hrs.

Day 5: Dowdeswell to Birdlip
The hiking today will include lovely, forested trails with century-old trees and some spectacular views.  We first hike up through Lineover Wood, an ancient forest of lime trees and ‘heritage’ beech, before continuing up to Wistley Plantation and along the escarpment. From there we descend, passing close to the Seven Springs, thought by some to be the source of the Thames River. The path once again heads up as we climb both Hartley Hill and Leckhampton Hill taking in the views of Cheltenham, Severn Vale, and the interesting rock formations of Devil’s Chimney.  We pass through countryside along quiet lanes and paths, before climbing Crickley Hill. Crickley Hill Country Park is a popular destination known for its panoramic views and welcome center providing information about the archaeological history and wildlife of the area.  The trail then crosses the grassland of Barrow Wake, then the woods near Birdlip Peak, bringing us to our hotel for the night in Birdlip.

Elevation gain: 1,217′; Elevation loss: 702’; Distance: 10.5  miles; Time: 5 – 5½ hrs.

Day 6: Birdlip to Painswick
Today starts with a pleasant woodland walk out of Birdlip before heading up towards Cooper’s Hill. The climb turns steep as we near the top, the site of the annual cheese rolling festival.  Continuing along the path through Buckholt Wood, we finally emerge onto the golf course at Painswick Beacon where the remains of the ramparts of an old Iron Age hill fort are still visible. After taking in the views, we’ll descend to the attractive town of Painswick, the mid-way point of the Cotswold way.  We should arrive early today giving us time to explore the town including the Rococo Garden.

Elevation gain: 791’; Elevation loss: 1119’; Distance: 8 miles; Time: 4 – 5 hrs.

Day 7: Painswick to Wotton-under-Edge
We start the day with a transfer from Painswick across the Stroud Valley to the Cotswold escarpment near King’s Stanley.  Today will be more demanding with some steep climbs and descents. We begin with a walk through the woods. Arriving Coaley Pike and then Nympsfield Long Barrow we’ll have some amazing views of the Severn Valley.  We may make a short detour to see Hetty Pegler’s Tump and Uleybury another Neolithic long barrow and promontory fort.

Our route then passes a disused old quarry on a steep descent through the woods to Hodgecombe Farm, with the rise of Cam Lon Down ahead of us. Following a steep ascent to Cam Long Down our efforts are rewarded with a glorious panoramic view. After a pause at the top, we head down across farmlands towards the town of Dursley. Then it’s up again, this time to Stinchcombe Hill where we’ll follow the perimeter of the hill to enjoy some of the finest views in Cotswolds before descending into the village of North Nibley.  Once more we turn our legs upward for the steep climb to the tower of Tynedale Monument. The Way levels as we cross grassland and woodlands to arrive at Wotton Hill.  After exploring the walled enclosure commemorating the Battle of Waterloo, we’ll descend to the town of Wotton-Under-Edge. Our day will end with a short transfer to our hotel.

Elevation gain: 1,811’’; Elevation loss: 1,982’; Distance: 11.5 miles; Time: 6 – 7 hrs.

Day 8: Wotton-Under-Edge to Old Sodbury
Following a stream out of Wotton-Under-Edge, we’ll climb Blackquarry Hill up onto the escarpment.  Continuing down a woodland track to the hamlet of Alderley, we’ll have time to enjoy the beautiful church of St. Kelm before following an old mill stream, a reminder of the woolen industries that once dominated the area. Our trail passes through a quiet valley with evidence of the Medieval technique of ridge and farrow farming.  Reaching the small hamlet of Lower Kilcott, we can see the memorial monument of General Robert Somerset in the distance. From the monument, we’ll pass an ancient drover’s pond, then following the Bath Lane towards Horton. Descending to Horton Fort we’ll have impressive views of the Severn Vale, before reaching the National Trust property, Horton Court. Built in the 16^th century, it’s thought to be one of the oldest vicarages in England.  Leaving Horton Court, we’ll continue to the villages of Horton and then Old Sodbury.  Our day will end with a short transfer to our hotel.

 Elevation gain: 930’; Elevation loss: 850’; Distance: 11 miles; Time: 6 – 6½ hrs.

Day 9: Old Sodbury to Lansdown
Returning to Old Sodbury, we’ll begin by making our way through gentle fields to Coombs End and then on to Dodington Park Estate parkland, landscaped by Capability Brown in the 1760s. After walking through the village of Tormarton, we’ll follow the Marshfield Road as it crosses over the M4, continues through farmland and eventually along the path circling the perimeter of Dyrham Park, a 264-acre deer park surrounding a 17^th century manor house.

Descending to the little village of Dyrham and past the grand gardens of the Dyrham Manor, we’ll climb up through the Dyrham Woods and again across farmland to the village of Cold Ashton.  From Cold Ashton, it’s down to the beautiful tucked away valley at Lower Hamswell and then up again to the site of the bloody civil war battle of Lansdown.  Crossing the battlefield, we’ll arrive at the Grenville Monument. Continuing on, we’ll pass the Lansdown Golf Course, then the famous Bath Racecourse before arriving in the hamlet of Lansdown and our hotel for the evening.

Elevation gain: 825’; Elevation loss: 760’; Distance: 10.5 miles; Time: 5½ – 6 hrs. 

Day 10: Lansdown to Bath
Today’s shorter hiking day will allow time to enjoy the fascinating sights of the city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We start the day by retracing our steps to join the route as it makes its way up toward to the hill fort of Little Down. Continuing on to Prospect Stile, we’ll have our first rewarding views down to Bath, perhaps as far as Bristol and the River Avon valley below.  It’s mostly all downhill from here as we round the foot of Kelston Round Hill, and our farmland paths turn to urban lanes. We’ll wind our way through parks and past gardens finally arriving in the heart of Bath with its elegant streets leading to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. It’s here we’ll find the carved stone disc set in the pavement marking the end of the Cotswold Way. Congratulations.

The city of Bath has evolved over the centuries, from an Iron Age settlement to a complex of Roman temples and baths in the 1st Century AD, to a hub of the woolen industry in the Middle Ages, to the focus of 18th and 19th century architects driven to design buildings in harmony with the landscape and history of the area. The extensive remains of the Roman Baths and fine examples of Georgian architecture make Bath a pleasure to explore. As well as a visit to the Roman Bath Museum, you may enjoy stopping by the Bath Abbey and climbing up to the top of the spire for a view of the city, visiting the shops on 18th century Pulteney Bridge, or learning about the life of the classic author Jane Austen at the Jane Austen Centre.

After an afternoon of exploring the city, we’ll celebrate with our farewell dinner.

Elevation gain: 280’; Elevation loss: 950’; Distance: 6.8 miles; Time: 3 – 3½ hours.

Day 11: Depart Bath
The trip will end with our last full English breakfast at the hotel. Independent return to London Airport or other onward destinations.

Bath is on the main railway line into London Paddington station. There are frequent departures, and the travel time to Paddington Station is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Heathrow Express runs from Paddington to the airport.

You may like to extend your stay in Bath. The nearby cities of Bristol, Oxford, and Salisbury are worth exploring as well.

Please Note: This itinerary is subject to change prior to the trip start or while en route. Some of the planned hikes, especially on high summits and ridges, may not be possible in adverse weather conditions. If this should happen, your guide will take you on an alternative route that is safe for the prevailing conditions.

Elevation gain refers to the total number of feet ascended on any given day. Hiking times refer to the actual number of hours hiked, not including rest stops. Hiking times, gain, loss, and distances are only approximations. Hiking times can vary depending on weather conditions and hiking abilities.