3 to 11 nights
17 to 102 mls (km)
South England
Easy to Challenging
Mar to Oct
£435

Walking the Cotswold Way through England’s ‘Green and Pleasant Land’

  • Passing Neolithic burial chambers, Celtic hill forts and Roman villas
  • Touring historic houses, churches and abbeys
  • Wandering through Stanway House
  • Exploring Sudeley Castle - home of Henry VIII’s Queen, Katherine Parr
  • Sauntering around the elegant streets of Bath
  • Admiring Bath’s Regency style architecture and sweeping Royal Crescent
  • Picturesque villages of Chipping Campden and Winchcombe
 
Image of Broadway Tower, Cotswold Way

History in the Making on the Cotswold Way

History hangs heavy over a region where the churches and sleepy villages you cross paths with are beautifully preserved - inspiring a feeling of being displaced in another era. There is so much to see, ideally suited to the moving pace of walking holidays. The scenery you encounter on Cotswold walking holidays forms the quintessential English rural landscape, yet despite the historic setting, these are thriving, contemporary communities, and a chance stop to sample the local ale or produce may be just too tempting to pass up!

Although rarely rising above 900 ft, walking the Cotswold Way takes you via many of the Cotswold’s best viewpoints. The highest point – at 1086 ft above sea level – gives panoramic views over the Severn Vale, Bristol Channel and beyond to the hills of Wales.

For an alternative walking holiday in the Cotswolds, take a look at the Cotswold Round

Cotswold Way walking map
Our Cotswolds Way walking Holiday takes you from Chipping Campden to Bath

Path Walkthrough

Beginning with walks in Chipping Campden, there’s a gradual ascent through farmland toward Broadway Tower (the second highest ascent), before making the steep descent toward Broadway, on to the village of Stanton. From here, the route is typically undemanding, until a gradual climb around the edge of the escarpment takes you to Cleeve Hill, rising above the Vale of Gloucester. Through Cleeve Common a complex system of tracks through grassland and dense woodland become more commonplace towards Painswick. Woodland trails lead out toward Middleyard, where the route converges with canal paths.

There is a steep climb up Stinchcombe Hill from Dursley, where the descent then follows into Wotton-Under-Edge. Along the final stretch the route twists and undulates slightly toward Bath, before the final descent past Lansdown Crescent takes you to Bath Abbey.

Our Cotswold Way Itineraries

  • Chipping Campden to Bath
    Distance: 102 miles (164km)
    CW1
    11 Nights, 10 Days
    from £1395 pp
    Chipping Campden to Bath
        11 nights, 10 days
    Ref: CW1
    Moderate,
    Grade: Classic
    CW2
    10 Nights, 9 Days
    from £1240 pp
    Chipping Campden to Bath
        10 nights, 9 days
    Ref: CW2
    Moderate, Moderate to Challenging,
    Grade: Classic
    CW3
    9 Nights, 8 Days
    from £1075 pp
    Chipping Campden to Bath
        9 nights, 8 days
    Ref: CW3
    Moderate to Challenging,
    Grade: Classic
  • Chipping Campden to Painswick
    Distance: 48 miles (77km)
    CW4
    6 Nights, 5 Days
    from £775 pp
    Chipping Campden to Painswick
        6 nights, 5 days
    Ref: CW4
    Moderate,
    Grade: Classic
    CW5
    5 Nights, 4 Days
    from £620 pp
    Chipping Campden to Painswick
        5 nights, 4 days
    Ref: CW5
    Moderate, Moderate to Challenging,
    Grade: Classic
  • Painswick to Bath
    Distance: 54 miles (86.5km)
    CW6
    6 Nights, 5 Days
    from £745 pp
    Painswick to Bath
        6 nights, 5 days
    Ref: CW6
    Moderate,
    Grade: Classic
  • Queen of the Cotswolds Break
    Distance: 17 miles (27km)
    CW-PNS1
    3 Nights, 2 Days
    from £435 pp
    Queen of the Cotswolds Break
        3 nights, 2 days
    Ref: CW-PNS1
    Moderate,
    Grade: Classic

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    2 walking days
    3 nights
    3 breakfasts
    2025 Prices
    Extras
    <~ Go back to all itineraries

    Single centre break based in Painswick, known as the Queen of the Cotswolds.

  • Quintessential England – The Jewel of The Cotswolds
    Distance: 18 miles (28.5km)
    CW-CHC1
    3 Nights, 2 Days
    from £550 pp
    Quintessential England – The Jewel of The Cotswolds
        3 nights, 2 days
    Ref: CW-CHC1
    Easy to Moderate, Moderate,
    Grade: Classic

    or ask us a question
    What's Included:
    2 walking days
    3 nights
    3 breakfasts
    2025 Prices
    Extras
    <~ Go back to all itineraries

    Single centre break based in Chipping Campden, often described as the "Jewel in the crown" of  the Cotswolds.

    • Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
    • Breakfast
    • Luggage transfers
    • Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
    • Route planning
    • Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details

    You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.

    Our Cotswold Way holidays are available to walk March to October.

    The Cotswolds landscape seems to bring out the best of any season. May, June and July would be the perfect months to enjoy the wildflowers, whereas the colours of autumn have a dramatic effect on the leafy towns and villages you visit.

    Generally, weather conditions are fairly mild, but the majority of this route is through woodland and field - so please bring sensible footwear that can cope with walking through muddy grassland should there be a downpour.

    Moreton-in-Marsh is the nearest station, from which there are trains between the Cotswolds, as well as Oxford and Wolverhampton.

    From Middleyard, there is a bus that stops outside the Garden Centre and takes you to Sonehouse Railway station, from there you can board connecting services to London and Bristol. There is also a National Express coach that stops at Coombe Lane.

    Bath is very well connected, with frequent rail, bus and many taxi services. The nearest airport is Bristol, 20 miles away from the city centre.

    Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.

    Cotswold Way Client Reviews

    4.7/5 based on 81 reviews
    Everthing went vey smoothly. Accomodations all very good. Competitive prices
    - October 2024
    Well organised, able to accommodate request for 3 single occupancy rooms by juggling things around a bit for us. A helpful company.
    - September 2024
    They handled everything
    - September 2024
    Celtic Trails have excellent customer service, are flexible and responsive, walking holidays are a wonderful way to experience a place, and very restorative to the spirit.
    - September 2024
    Very good - helpful
    - September 2024
    Excellent preparation and documentation. Flexibility to upgrade our lodging, as requested, and extend our stay in Bath.
    - August 2024
    We would recommend Celtic Trails to friends. All transfers were done on time and without any issues.
    - July 2024
    Great personal attention to pre-travel emails. Excellent organization of luggage transfers, taxi transfers, and accommodations. We'd recommend Celtic Trails to a friend.
    - June 2024
    Much more fun walking place to place, than sitting on a bus all day and just stopping for a photoshoot. Excellent delivery service and taxi transfers always on time.
    - June 2024
    Several things stand out for me: excellent communication, meticulous attention to organization and detail, and helpful guidance through the walk pack and guidebook. I would recommend Celtic Trails to anyone contemplating a self-guided long-distance walk.
    - May 2024
    A very helpful and friendly experience
    - April 2024
    Professional interaction, plus attention to detail at all times
    - April 2024
    Correspondence was very good between us and Celtic Trails. All questions etc were answered
    - September 2023
    I am a farmer in Southern Queensland, everything is brown, so it was wonderful to walk through such stunningly, beautiful countryside. Celtic Trails were very efficient when arranging our walk!
    - September 2023
    Celtic trails have been great to deal with, it?s comforting to arrive from ? Down under ? and find that everything is in place to make our adventure stress free and so enjoyable.
    - September 2023
    The organisation and general service provided by Celtic Trails, was excellent.
    - September 2023
    Celtic Trails offer excellent attention to detail. They know what they are doing and provide a comprehensive Walk Pack.
    - September 2023
    Responsive, organised, helpful. This is our second trip with you, we always recommend Celtic Trails.
    - July 2023
    Being in and amongst the landscape an actual tonic for the soul.
    - July 2023
    We were very pleased with all aspects of our trip, and the service provided. We've always planned our own vacations, so having someone else do the planning was luxurious. All the information we needed was provided in the walk-pack, accommodations were pleasant, and we appreciated the recommendations for places to eat.
    - June 2023
    Celtic Trails were great - would recommend. This walking holiday exceeded my expectations. Loved the beauty of the Cotswolds and countryside, the fresh air and the challenge. Feel much stronger.
    - May 2023
    Penny went ABOVE AND BEYOND in every aspect of her service regarding the trip. I required extra assistance because of an unexpected health situation, to book and/or change taxis. She handled everything with courtesy and efficiency, causing my requested changes to seamlessly work into my walk.
    - May 2023
    Celtic Trails are always helpful and quick response to any queries. I have walked the Cotswold Way on 2 previous occasions. It is undulating and varied enough to pose a challenge to this 72 year old but not in any way overwhelming.
    - May 2023
    Wonderful service, helpful friendly staff, excellent lodging - much better than other companies. Love spending time with family, being outside, and enjoying the sights and nature.
    - April 2023
    The Celtic Trails team is very helpful, the lodgings provided were great and the overall service provided was excellent. We have done several UK walks and this is the second time we have used Celtic Trails and the service has been among the best. West Highland Way plus Great Glen Way (Next Spring and we will be using Celtic Trails for our bookings. I'm looking forward to dealing with the Celtic Trails team.)
    - April 2023
    Celtic Trails offer a professional experience. This was our 5th with them and it was as well organised as ever. The walk was tiring, but relaxing and uplifting.
    - October 2022
    Our experience with Celtic Trails was very reliable and efficient; I would hesitate to use them again. This holiday has had a very positive impact on our well-being; it was great to find that we can still walk 102 miles when over the age of 70!
    - September 2022
    Celtic Trails are an efficient organisation. All bases covered: accommodation, routes, meals / provisions. The Cotswolds are a beautiful calm area with lovely landscapes and views. Good for the soul. I like to follow National Trails and the Cotswold
    - September 2022
    Celtic Trails were thorough, responsive, experienced and reasonably priced. We loved the natural landscape and the evidence of past settlements. The villages, pubs and change to interact with the people who give it life. We felt closer to each others
    - August 2022
    Celtic Trails offer excellent organisation and advise on what is available on certain dates. Would recommend. We stayed in a lovely B&B, with a perfect room
    - August 2022
    Everything is so well planned and perfect - superb organisation, fast replies, excellent accommodation and very detailed instruction. Everything was amazing. I recommended Celtic Trails to my friend and she did a walk with me this year.
    - July 2022
    Working with Penny was a very positive experience. Always responsive and timely. We loved the walk. Being immersed in the natural environment and the moment-to-moment journey is so rewarding. It's a very mindful experience. It was everything we wanted
    - July 2022
    Celtic Trails are an efficient, friendly service. Well chosen information included in the walking pack. Service providers - taxis and B&Bs - speak highly of the company. I have used Celtic in the past and have recommended them to friends. Extremely sa
    - June 2022
    I had very good email communication with Celtic Trails and everything was handled smoothly. This is the first holiday in years that I've been able to leave my everyday life behind. I was able to escape my usual working mindset and be absorbed in beauti
    - June 2022
    I thoroughly enjoyed walking the Cotswold Way. The well marked path was quiet, beautiful, punctuated by lovely hamlets, churches and towns. The wild garlic and wild flowers were beautiful and the songbirds a joy to listen to as I woke and along my walks
    - May 2022
    Celtic Trails were efficient when booking. Comprehensive pack. As regular walkers, this was well within our capability but we were still surprised by the amount of climbs as we hadn't studies the route. We usually finished early afternoon as didn't stop long en route but I think some people would have found it challenging, especially in bad weather. Pembrokeshire Coastal Path next.
    - September 2021
    I feel really relaxed after a happy few days with friends. Our accommodation was fabulous. Celtic Trail were efficient and reasonably-priced, with well sourced accommodation. Thanks, Penny - we will book again!
    - August 2021
    Celtic Trails provide an excellent, personlised service and provide itinerary and accommodation that never disappoints. We have only used Celtic Trails for our walking holidays as they never let us down. South Downs or Pembrokeshire Coast next.
    - August 2021
    Very slick operation. Reliably high standard accommodation.
    - June 2021
    All very good as always. Walking holidays are always beneficial to health and well-being. We are going with you on the Northumberland coastal walk in July.
    - June 2021
    Despite Covid, all went well and the arrangements worked smoothly. Celtic Trails organised an excellent walk, with high-quality accommodations and clear directions. The scenery on the last two days was spectacular and they were, by far, the best days. This walk has certainly boosted my well-being.
    - September 2020
    Due to Coronavirus, some changes were made, but all worked fine - thank you. We have walked with you a few times now, as you are better than other companies. I particularly liked Painswick and the chance to visit Rococco Gardens.
    - March 2020
    Transfers worked like a charm. Celtic Trails were very accommodation and it was easy to make a change in the itinerary. The holiday improved my fitness. We loved it - we are looking at other walking options in Europe. We've recommended to others.
    - November 2019
    We would recommend Celtic Trails to a friend.
    - September 2019
    All went very smoothly - Celtic Trails provided an excellent service; their accommodation standard and restaurant recommendations were high. A long distance walk creates a personal challenge and brings rewards. It's a good way to spend time with family/friends. This holiday was refreshing and invigorating.
    - August 2019
    All my special requests were fulfilled - thank you. Excellent service. It was a holiday to just enjoy - nothing to worry about. It was so relaxing, even if were were sometimes quite tired in the evening. It was lovely to stay at such lovely places overnight.
    - August 2019
    We have done many long-distance walks ...The Cotswolds Way is now one of our favourites. Celtic Trails were friendly and efficient and chose good accommodations.
    - July 2019
    Thanks for the good service. We enjoyed it and will certainly do another tour with you guys.
    - July 2019
    The Cotswolds Way exceeded our expectations. The wild flowers were amazingly abundant and the views spectacular. Celtic Trails were a very easy way of managing a long distance walk and the additional cost is well worth it.
    - July 2019
    The Cotswolds Way has become one of our favourite walks. Celtic Trails were efficient, friendly and trouble-free.
    - July 2019
    Celtic Trails provided a very professional, friendly and reliable service - we would recommend. We most enjoyed the views, the orchids, the butterflies and the history.
    - June 2019
    The Cotswolds Way is a varied walk, combining wonderful landscapes (woodlands and open country) with historic features and picturesque villages. I would recommend it to anyone. Celtic Trails were good; solid background information and a good choice of accommodation.
    - June 2019
    I really enjoyed my walk with Celtic Trails. Their staff is extremely helpful and responded thoroughly to all my questions, such that as a solo traveller, I felt comfortable doing the walk on my own. All the lodging was comfortable and run by friendly, attentive and helpful owners. The transfers went seamlessly and that walking was awesome.
    - June 2019
    Extremely well-organised, friendly helpful service and have recommended to many people. Celtic Trails is always our first choice. We found the history of the area, particularly the Iron Age history, we walked through most interesting and at this time of year, we really enjoyed the flora.. It gave us the opportunity to meet like-minded people from around the world.
    - May 2019
    Excellent/flawless service; highly professional. easy to deal with and delivered beyond promise. Very well marked trails. Incredible scenery. B&Bs that exceeded expectations.
    - May 2019
    I am totally satisfied with the trip; Celtic Trails were highly professional. Easy to deal with and delivered beyond promise. The very marked trails. Incredible scenery. B&Bs that exceeded expectations.
    - May 2019
    Overall, an excellent experience.
    - October 2018
    We have walked with you 5 times and you met our expectations again. We particularly enjoyed Chipping Campden and Stanton.
    - October 2018
    The only reason we would walk with another company is if you didn't offer a walk in a country we wanted to walk. This was our fifth walk with you.
    - October 2018
    Great scenery, good/well marked paths. Good places to stay.
    - September 2018
    We would walk with you again. What we most enjoyed about this walk was the well-marked trail and the great scenery. We opt for long distance walking holidays to stay young!
    - September 2018
    Celtic Trails met my expectations.
    - August 2018
    Celtic Trails compares very well with other companies. What we most enjoyed about this particular walk was the scenery and the hosts/hostesses at the B&Bs
    - July 2018
    We most enjoyed the villages, flowers, history, views, woods, animals, hill forts and tumps.
    - June 2018
    "Outstanding service, well documented packs (the best I've ever had), fantastic accommodation choices and real focus on the client."
    - June 2018
    Excellent service.
    - June 2018
    Again, a really good experience and we shall use you again, as indeed I am with Mrs L in September (Llyn Peninsula). Thank you again - another great experience.
    - April 2018
    Celtic Trails were great - again.
    - April 2018
    "Celtic Trails provided a perfect first walking experience, thank you!"
    - May 2017
    "I wanted to see The Cotswolds – but not from a tour or a driving holiday. I am proud that I completed the trail! Thank you for the wonderful memories!"
    - May 2016
    "Once again you and your team have excelled in the organisation of the Cotswold Way walk we undertook last week. All accommodation and transport arrangements worked perfectly and the hospitality of our hosts was beyond expectations. That was my second walk with you and my walking partner's third and we both have every intention of using your organisation again in the future and we continue to spread your name wherever we go. Many thanks again for the wonderful experience."
    - June 2015
    "We do appreciate your consideration when we had to cancel the week previously, and your good wishes for this time. The walk more than lived up to expectations."
    - May 2015
    "As always, our Celtic Trails experience was great. We are already planning our next few walks with you. Thank you for your help with everything!"
    - September 2014
    "The best holiday thank you very much!!!"
    - August 2014
    "Now that I am looking back I have a wistful nostalgia for the walk…forgot about the achy legs but remembering all the beauty of the countryside and friendly folks along the way."
    - June 2014
    "The trip was great. People were friendly & helpful. Scenery magnificent. Cows + sheep + houses + slugs & snails + butterflies & birds + cider & pubs - wonderful!"
    - September 2013
    "We enjoyed our journey very much and are fully content with your organisation. We look forward to our next walking holidays."
    - July 2013
    "All the arrangements were perfect! We never worried once about anything. That is supreme service in our books and we thank you all - very much!"
    - June 2013
    "We have a high regard for Celtic Trails & recommend you to our friends."
    - March 2013
    "I have had a wonderful holiday. Really can't think of how it could be improved. Again, first class service from Celtic Trails. Thanx."
    - June 2012
    "We had a wonderful time & have been very impressed with your company's efficiency and the friendliness & courtesy of your office staff!"
    - May 2012
    Leave your own review of your Cotswold Way Walking Holiday with us - add review.