Terrain and Duration

1. Terrain: Predominantly rolling hills with some steep ascents and descents. The path runs along the Cotswold escarpment, providing spectacular views across the surrounding landscape.
2. Typical Duration: Most walkers complete the trail in 7 to 10 days, depending on pace.

Highlights of the Cotswold Way

• Chipping Campden: A charming market town with beautiful examples of Cotswold stone architecture, serving as a picturesque start to the trail.
• Broadway Tower: A unique folly situated on Broadway Hill, offering expansive views of the surrounding area.
• Sudeley Castle: Near Winchcombe, this historic castle is known for its beautiful gardens and as the burial place of Queen Catherine Parr.
• Belas Knap: A well-preserved Neolithic long barrow on the outskirts of Winchcombe.
• Painswick: Often referred to as the “Queen of the Cotswolds,” this village is famous for its beautiful church and yew trees.
• The Tyndale Monument: Near North Nibley, a tower built to honor William Tyndale, a translator of the Bible into English.
• Bath: The trail concludes in the World Heritage City of Bath, renowned for its Roman-built baths and stunning Georgian architecture.

Planning Your Walk

• Accommodation: There are numerous options along the route, including B&Bs, inns, hotels, and a few campsites. Booking in advance is advisable, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Transportation: The start and end points, Chipping Campden and Bath, are accessible via public transportation, with more limited options available to smaller villages along the route.
• Supplies: The Cotswold Way passes through many towns where you can replenish supplies. However, carrying enough water and snacks for each day’s walk is essential, especially on more isolated stretches.
• Waymarking: The trail is well-marked with the National Trail acorn symbols. Carrying a map is advisable for exploring off the main path and for more detailed navigation.
• Weather and Clothing: The weather can be unpredictable; it’s wise to pack waterproof clothing and wear layers. The trail can be muddy in wet weather, so good quality walking boots are essential.

Tips for Walking the Cotswold Way

• Physical Preparation: While not overly strenuous, the trail includes some challenging sections with steep climbs and descents, so moderate fitness is recommended.
• Safety Precautions: Be prepared for sudden changes in weather, particularly in exposed areas.
• Respect the Environment: Stick to the marked paths to protect the landscape and local wildlife.
• Engage with the Local Culture: Take time to explore the villages along the way. The Cotswolds is known for its arts and crafts, local food, and historic sites.

Walking the Cotswold Way is a delightful way to experience the English countryside’s beauty, history, and charm. Whether you’re looking for a long-distance challenge or a series of day hikes, the Cotswold Way offers a rich and rewarding adventure.

Cotswold Interactive Map

5 Day Walking Itinerary

Stage	Start Point	Distance	Ascend / Descend
Day 1	Chipping Campden to Winchcombe	18
Day 2	Winchcombe to Birdlip	21
Day 3	Birdlip to Middleyard	18
Day 4	Middleyard to Hawkesbury	20
Day 5	Hawkesbury to Bath	25

6 Day Walking Itinerary

Stage	Start Point	Distance	Ascend / Descend
Day 1	Chipping Campden to Winchcombe	18	2142 ft
Day 2	Winchcombe to Dowdeswell	12	1555 ft
Day 3	Dowdeswell to Painswick	16.5	2402 ft
Day 4	Painswick to Dursley	16	2497 ft
Day 5	Dursley to Old Sodbury	20.5	2664 ft
Day 6	Old Sodbury to Bath	18.5	1857 ft

7 Day Walking Itinerary

Stage	Start Point	Distance	Ascend / Descend
Day 1	Chipping Campden to Stanton	10	1355 ft
Day 2	Stanton to Cleeve Hill	14	1886 ft
Day 3	Cleeve Hill to Birdlip	15.5	2077 ft
Day 4	Birdlip to King’s Stanley	16.5	1808 ft
Day 5	King’s Stanley to Wotton-under-Edge	13.5	2618 ft
Day 6	Wotton-under-Edge to Tormarton	16	1886 ft
Day 7	Tormarton to Bath	16	1558 ft

8 Day Walking Itinerary

Stage	Start Point	Distance	Ascend / Descend
Day 1	Chipping Campden to Stanton	10	1352 ft
Day 2	Stanton to Cleeve Hill	14	1886 ft
Day 3	Cleeve Hill to Leckhampton Hill	11.5	1486 ft
Day 4	Leckhampton Hill to Painswick	11	1342 ft
Day 5	Painswick to King’s Stanley	9.5	1027 ft
Day 6	King’s Stanley to Wotton-under-Edge	13.5	2618 ft
Day 7	Wotton-under-Edge to Tormarton	16	1886
Day 8	Tormarton to Bath	16	1558 ft

9 Day Walking Itinerary

Stage	Start Point	Distance	Ascend / Descend
Day 1	Chipping Campden to Stanton	10	1352 ft
Day 2	Stanton to Cleeve Hill	14	1886 ft
Day 3	Cleeve Hill to Leckhampton Hill	11.5	1486 ft
Day 4	Leckhampton Hill to Painswick	11	1342 ft
Day 5	Painswick to King’s Stanley	9.5	1027 ft
Day 6	King’s Stanley to Wotton-under-Edge	13.5	2618 ft
Day 7	Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury	13.5	1575 ft
Day 8	Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton	8.5	925 ft
Day 9	Cold Ashton to Bath	10	932 ft

10 Day Walking Itinerary

Stage	Start Point	Distance	Ascend / Descend
Day 1	Chipping Campden to Stanton	10	1352 ft
Day 2	Stanton to Winchcombe	8	787 ft
Day 3	Winchcombe to Dowdeswell	12	1555 ft
Day 4	Dowdeswell to Birdlip	9.5	1621 ft
Day 5	Birdlip to Painswick	7	781 ft
Day 6	Painswick to King’s Stanley	9.5	1027 ft
Day 7	King’s Stanley to Wotton-under-Edge	13.5	2618 ft
Day 8	Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury	13.5	1575 ft
Day 9	Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton	8.5	925 ft
Day 10	Cold Ashton to Bath	10	932 ft

15 Day Walking Itinerary

Stage	Start Point	Distance	Ascend / Descend
Day 1	Chipping Campden to Broadway	6
Day 2	Broadway to Wood Stanway	6.5
Day 3	Wood Stanway to Winchcombe	5.4
Day 4	Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill	5.6
Day 5	Cleeve Hill to Dowdeswell	5.5
Day 6	Dowdeswell to Leckhampton Hill	4.7
Day 7	Leckhampton Hill to Birdlip	5.6
Day 8	Birdlip to Painswick	8.6
Day 9	Painswick to King’s Stanley	7.8
Day 10	King’s Stanley to Dursley	7.2
Day 11	Dursley to Wotton-under-Edge	7.3
Day 12	Wotton-Under-Edge to Hawkesbury Upton	7.4
Day 13	Hawkesbury Upton to Tormarton	7.7
Day 14	Tormarton to Cold Aston	6.6
Day 15	Cold Aston to Bath	10.2

Related Walking Rambler Pages

Cotswolds Public Transport

• Rail. Bath, Stroud, Cheltenham, Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham are on the Great Western main lines from London Paddington, and Statford-upon-Avon has a service to Birmingham. The Birmingham to Bristol line runs parallel to the Way with stations at Ashchurch, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cam and Dursley.
• Coaches serve Bath, Cheltenham and Broadway, and pass within 5km/3 miles of Chipping Campden.
• Bus. There are bus services to numerous points along the Way including Cold Ashton, Tormarton, Hawkesbury Upton, Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley, King’s Stanley, Painswick, Birdup, Leckhampton, Cleeve Hill, Winchcombe, Wood Stanway, Broadway and Chipping Campden (buses to Cheltenham, not Sundays). Few of these services run on Sundays.

OS Maps Required for Cotswold Way

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Cotswold Way Related Books