Walking the Cotswolds: A Complete Guide to Routes, Day Walks and Planning Tips
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Kate BrownJanuary 28 2026
With its gentle hills, historic landmarks, and postcard-perfect villages, the Cotswolds offer some of England’s most enjoyable walking.
This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) perfectly captures the charm of the quintessential England. It is also an unbeatable region to discover on foot, whether you’re tackling one of its renowned long-distance trails or enjoying a leisurely day walk.
In this guide, our team at Absolute Escapes shares the best walking routes, insider tips, and local highlights to help you make the most of every step.
One of England’s classic National Trails, the Cotswold Way stretches from the quaint market town of Chipping Campden to the historic city of Bath. Originally launched in 1970, the route winds through gentle pastures, beech woodlands, and charming honey-coloured villages built from traditional Cotswold stone.
As you journey along the changing landscape, you will encounter Neolithic burial grounds, stately homes, and the sites of historic battles before your adventure draws to a close in the magnificent Roman city of Bath.
The trail gained National Trail status in 2007 and remains one of England’s most beloved long-distance hikes.
The Cotswold Way is a linear route, and most walkers complete the full 102 miles (164 km) between six to ten days. Although often regarded as one of Britain’s gentler hiking routes, this iconic trail can be turned into a more challenging adventure by extending your daily mileage.
It still includes a fair share of climbs and descents, rewarding those who take it on with spectacular ridge-top panoramas and even views across to Wales on a clear day. Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the county of Gloucestershire, is a particular highlight for many Cotswold Way walkers.
Thanks to excellent waymarking, easy-to-follow paths, and a wealth of accommodation options ranging from cosy B&Bs to boutique country inns, the Cotswold Way is an ideal choice for both first-time long-distance walkers and hiking enthusiasts seeking a classic English adventure.
Whether you’re drawn by history, scenery, or simply the quiet pleasure of wandering through timeless pastoral landscapes, this route is a great way to capture the essence of the English countryside.
Cotswold Round
If you’re looking for a walking tour in the Cotswolds but would prefer to spend a little more time enjoying its picturesque villages and all they offer, then the Cotswold Round might be the perfect route for you.
Moving at a slightly slower pace over generally gentle terrain, this circular route starts and ends in the historic market town of Moreton-in-Marsh in the northern Cotswolds. Although not a dedicated National Trail like the Cotswold Way, the Round is a carefully plotted route that links together some of the region’s most charming villages.
It strikes the ideal balance between pleasant walking days through some of England’s finest countryside and ample time to pause for lunch in a tearoom, enjoy a small afternoon excursion, or simply relax in comfort each evening at one of the beautiful accommodations along the way.
The Round is well signed using a variety of local trails, ways, and public footpaths.
Whether you’d like to fit in a rewarding long weekend of walking, taking in some of the highlights of the Cotswolds, or you have the luxury of keeping daily mileage to a minimum and travelling at a slower pace, there are a variety of itineraries on this route to suit all walkers.
Even better, no matter how much time you have, you can experience the Cotswold Round in standard, premium, or luxury accommodation – something unique to this trail. What better way to make the most of shorter walking days than by unwinding in truly special places to stay?
This route is for those who want to enjoy the very best of the Cotswolds, which entails so much more than just the walking.
Best day walks in the Cotswolds
Chipping Campden & Dover’s Hill Circular
(4.5 miles / 7.4 km / 2 hours)
A scenic Cotswold classic, this circular walk blends honey-stone architecture, rolling meadows, and panoramic hilltop views.
Starting in Chipping Campden, it climbs gently to Dover’s Hill, site of the Cotswold Olimpicks, before looping through tranquil countryside back to the town.
You can find more information, including route notes, on the National Trails website.
Broadway Tower Walk
(4.5 miles / 7 km / 2 hours)
This is a short yet rewarding walk, which can be topped off with a visit to the roof viewing platform of Broadway Tower. This circular route begins in the heart of Broadway, before ascending Broadway Hill, upon which the Tower proudly sits.
Although Broadway Hill is the second-highest hill in the Cotswolds, the Tower is just tall enough to make the viewing platform the highest point in the Cotswolds.
Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters and Naunton
(10 miles / 16 km / 5 hours)
This classic Cotswolds walk links Bourton-on-the-Water with the idyllic villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter, continuing through peaceful fields to Naunton. Along this walk, you will enjoy riverside paths, stone cottages, and timeless rural charm before circling back to your start point.
Find the route for this map on the OS Maps website.
Cold Ashton, Doynton, Dyrham, and West Littleton Circular
(11 miles / 18 km / 5.5 hours)
This varied circular walk explores South Gloucestershire’s countryside, starting at Cold Ashton and passing through Doynton, historic Dyrham, and quiet West Littleton. Rolling farmland, wooded valleys, and charming villages combine with glimpses of Dyrham Park’s grandeur, making it a rewarding day walk.
Do I have to carry my own luggage while walking in the Cotswolds?
Whether you’re walking the Cotswold Round or the Cotswold Way, all of our packages include luggage transfers between each of your overnight stays.
This means that you can simply carry a light backpack with your walking essentials each day and rest assured that your main luggage will be transported to your next stop for you.
Travel information: How to get to the trails in the Cotswolds
The Cotswold Way and Cotswold Round are both straightforward trails to access by public transport.
Moreton-in-Marsh, the start and end of the Cotswold Round, can be reached by direct train from London (journey time: 2 hours). There are also suitable transport links from other major UK cities, including Birmingham.
To reach the start of the Cotswold Way, we recommend taking a train to Moreton-in-Marsh and then connecting with the local bus service or taking a taxi to Chipping Campden. Uber is also available in many towns and villages in the Cotswolds.
From the end of the Cotswold Way in Bath, you have many options for onward travel by public transport. There are fast and regular train services between Bath and London (journey time: 1 hour 30 minutes) as well as Bath and Bristol (journey time: 15 minutes). If you opt for bus travel, National Express coaches also serve Bath.
What’s the weather like in the Cotswolds? What should I pack?
As with anywhere in the UK, it is important to be prepared for changing conditions when exploring the Cotswolds. You should pack waterproofs, comfortable and sturdy shoes, sunscreen, warm layers, and plenty of water and snacks.
We recommend checking the weather forecast before setting out to ensure you are prepared. The Met Office offers accurate and detailed weather forecasts for the UK.
It is also worth noting that some sections of the Cotswold Way can become particularly muddy after heavy rainfall, and care must be taken, especially when descending hills in these conditions.
Our favourite places to eat & drink in the Cotswolds
Eight Bells, Chipping Campden
Located in the heart of Chipping Campden, the Eight Bells Inn offers an authentic Cotswold pub experience. This historic building was erected in the 14th century, and its original purpose was to house the stonemasons who built St James’ Church. As the 17th century rolled around, the inn was rebuilt using original materials before being extended in the Georgian era to what you see today.
The Eight Bells serves up a comforting menu of pub classics, including fish and chips and steak and ale pie.
The pretty village of Painswick has no shortage of great places to eat; however, for a relaxed and cosy atmosphere, the Oak is the place to be. A stone’s throw from the iconic St Mary’s Church, this little pub is loved by locals and passing walkers alike. It’s a great place to settle down by a log fire and enjoy a well-earned pint alongside a hearty pub meal.
Tucked away in the peaceful Slad Valley, just 6 miles from Painswick, The Woolpack is a perfect spot to escape into the countryside. The food here is elevated without being fussy. Think hearty, seasonal dishes made with care, alongside a good selection of local ales, wines, and ciders.
It’s also won its fair share of recognition: in 2026, Estrella named The Woolpack 4th in its list of the Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK.
Tucked away in the quaint and quiet village of Guiting Power, The Cotswold Guy is a boutique farm shop well worth a lunch stop on a walking day, or even a dedicated trip into the village. There are few better places to experience and taste the very best of local Cotswold produce.
When in Bourton-on-the-Water, it would be a shame not to enjoy a drink perched right on the banks of the River Windrush, and the Kingsbridge Inn is the perfect place to do so. If the sun is shining, the beer garden has a fantastic atmosphere, and when the temperature drops, you can continue the evening in front of the roaring fire inside. Their classic pub food menu complements their extensive drinks offering, which includes plenty of real cask ales.
The Painswick Rococo Garden is situated roughly halfway along the Cotswold Way and is well worth a visit to anyone exploring this trail. Originally designed in the 1740s for the owner of Painswick House, the rococo-themed garden reflects the fashion trends of Europe at this time. To show off their wealth, members of the middle class favoured ornamental design, bright pastel colours, and asymmetrical shapes. However, tastes in fashion evolved and moved away from the flashy and flamboyant styles which had been popular in the first half of the 18th century.
Over the next 200 years, the garden was altered to keep up with the times before being abandoned in the 1950s. Then, in the 1980s, Lord and Lady Dickinson decided to launch a project to restore the garden to its original glory. Today, the garden is cared for by the Painswick Rococo Garden Trust and is the UK’s only complete surviving rococo garden.
Roman Baths
Reaching Bath marks the symbolic culmination of the Cotswold Way, where the rural landscapes and honey-stone villages give way to a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Part of that finale is the Roman Baths, standing just a few steps from the official trail end near Bath Abbey. Built around 70AD, the baths were a religious monument dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva as well as a social hub for bathing and healing.
The site is one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world, where 1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water, reaching 46°C, still fills the bathing pools every single day. Visitors can explore the extensive chambers and view artefacts which tell a story about Roman Britain.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
For a nostalgic journey through the Cotswolds countryside, hop aboard the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. This volunteer-run heritage railway, which first opened in 1904, offers a scenic 28-mile round trip between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway.
Passengers can enjoy panoramic views, vintage carriages, and refreshments on board whilst being pulled along by one of seven steam locomotives.
How can I book a walking holiday in the Cotswolds?
Booking your Cotswolds walking holiday couldn’t be simpler. Explore our range of self-guided Cotswolds walking itineraries on our website and choose the route that suits your pace, interests, and travel style.
If you’d like a little guidance or want to tailor your trip to make it truly special, our friendly, knowledgeable team would be delighted to help. Get in touch and let’s start planning your perfect Cotswolds walking adventure. Our expert team will take care of all arrangements, leaving you free to enjoy every step of your Cotswolds journey.
