5 Days & 4 Nights

4.6

Escape to the Cotswold Way | 5 Days

Stroll through the picturesque Cotswold villages
Relax in handpicked and welcoming accommodation
Discover the history of the area through abbeys, ruins, and the notorious Sudeley Castle
See some of the best views the English countryside has to offer
Enjoy a pint by the fire in the evening or tea and scones in the afternoon

Explore the Highlights of the Cotswolds Way on this walking holiday through quintessential England. You will explore the Chocolate-box Cotswold villages of Broadway and Stanton as well as a host of interesting historical sights. The Cotswold Way is one of the UK's finest National Trails and on this trip, you will be able to explore the very best of what the route has to offer. Delightful woodland walking and idyllic rolling English landscapes show off the 'Green and Pleasant Land,' that rural England is famed for. The Cotswolds also has an abundance of delicious local produce and you will be able to stock up on the all-important calories you burn off on your walk, by feasting in a wide array of excellent local tearooms, cosy pubs and local bakeries.

From £539.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Chipping Campden

The town of Chipping Campden is arguably the loveliest of the Cotswold towns and many people choose to stay an extra night here before starting the walk. A two-hour train journey from London to Moreton-in-the-Marsh and 6-mile taxi or bus bring you easily to the start of your holiday.

Overnight Chipping Campden

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Volunteer Inn | Inn

The Volunteer Inn is a 17th century pub with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. They have cobbled courtyard and well maintained gardens which can be enjoyed during the summer months and a warm cosy log fire in the winter. Rooms are comfortably furnished and have all the amenities you require. Please note that the pub is popular on the weekends and therefore you will hear some noise but the owners will try and accommodate you in a room as far away from the bar as possible.

Park Road B&B | Bed and breakfast

A warm welcome awaits you at Park Road B&B, they are family run and have 2 lovely en-suite guest rooms. Their rooms are centrally heated with tea & coffee making facilities and all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.

Bantam Tea Rooms | Bed and breakfast

The Bantam Tea Rooms was built in 1693 and directly overlooks the 17th Century Market Hall. There is also a peaceful, private guest lounge and on those cold mornings you can enjoy your delicious breakfast by the roaring log fire. All rooms are tastefully decorated with a comfortable and cosy feel.

Day 2 Chipping Campden to Stanton 10.5 miles / 17 km

Leaving the honey-coloured architectural beauty of Chipping Campden behind, you climb immediately onto the escarpment where Dover’s Hill and then Broadway Tower reward with fine views. The tea rooms of Broadway are a welcome diversion before heading back into the hills. The idyllic village of Stanton welcomes you at the end of the section.

Ascent: 380m / Descent: 425m

In some cases due to availability, you may need to overnight in Broadway instead of Stanton - you can do this by return transfers, e.g. transferring back to Broadway when you reach Stanton and then the following morning take a return taxi back to Stanton and continue along the Way.

Overnight Stanton

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Shenberrow Hill | Bed and breakfast

Shenberrow is a country house in 8 acres of North Cotswolds’s little village of Stanton. All rooms for comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms and all the usual comforts in the way of TV & tea & coffee making facilities.

New Forge House | Bed and breakfast

New Forge House is a comfortable B&B which has two double en-suite rooms. The rooms have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.

The Vine B&B | Bed and breakfast

Bed & Breakfast is offered in Jill's antique and flower-filled Cotswold house. Jill's breakfasts are legendary and will set you up for a day of activity.

Day 3 Stanton to Winchcombe 8 miles / 12.5 km

Leaving Stanton you soon arrive at the hamlet of Church Stanway and the ornate gatehouse and tithe barn of Stanway House. From here there is a steep climb up to Stumps Cross and onto the Iron Age Hill Fort of Beckbury Camp for commanding views over the surrounding area. A short descent takes you down to the remains of the medieval Hailes Abbey then continuing over the fields and into Winchcombe.

Ascent: 210m / Descent: 235m

Overnight Winchcombe

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Lion Inn | Inn

The Lion Inn is formerly a coaching inn dating back to the 1500s, following a major renovation the Inn has been given a new lease of life; the rooms now have their own individual style and character, rooms are clutter free which means they do not have TV’s. You can enjoy delicious home-cooked, locally-sourced food and a great selection of beer, wine and spirits in a beautiful, relaxing environment in the restaurant and bar.

White Hart Inn | Country Inn

The White Hart Inn is a 16^th Century coaching inn in the centre of Winchcombe. They have eight en-suite guest rooms; all rooms have tea & coffee facilities, complementary bottled water, flat screen TV and free WI-FI. At the Wine and Sausage they believe that local produce, cooked creatively is the heart of a good restaurant. They also have a range of wines from around the world, the wine shop is next to the bar, showing off this year’s top 100 from over 2,500 wines tasted.

Blair House | Bed and breakfast

Blair House is an attractive late Georgian residence in the ancient Saxon town of Winchcombe. It has three guest bedrooms, all charmingly decorated. Each room has a TV, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. In addition there is a sitting room for guests on the ground floor, with magazines and TV. Located within walking distance of local pubs, restaurants and shops. And also a Tourist Information Centre during the summer months.

Day 4 Winchcombe to Dowdeswell. Transfer to Cheltenham 11.5 miles / 18.7 km

A scenic and historically interesting walk from Winchcombe, passing Sudeley Castle in the distance, and the Neolithic long barrow of Belas Knap. From here you ascend onto Cleeve Common with panoramic views over the Cheltenham countryside. Finally, the route takes you to the summit of Cleeve Hill, the highest point on the Cotswold Way. Leaving Cleeve Hill, enjoy a series of outstanding panoramic views of the rolling green hills of the Cotswold countryside to Cheltenham and beyond. Pass through peaceful woodland and quiet country lanes before descending through Dowdeswell Wood. Enjoy a crisp local cider at Dunkertons Park at the end of today's walk.

As there are no accommodations in Dowdeswell or Charlton Kings, you will likely be overnighting in Cheltenham with an included return transfer.

Ascent: 450m / Descent: 445m

Overnight Cheltenham

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Cotswold Grange Hotel | Hotel

Cotswold Grange is an independent hotel situated in a quiet leafy avenue of similar grand buildings. Rooms are equipped with a TV, radio, tea/coffee-making facilities. Beds have deep mattresses and crisp white linen sheets. Ornately decorated, the high ceilinged dining room has huge windows.

No 38. The Park | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

No.38 The Park offers a luxurious stay and a sublime selection of sustenance in the restaurant to fuel your adventures. In each one of the beautiful bespoke bedrooms, bold statement prints and mismatched textures are the order of the day. All of the bedrooms at No.38 The Park are dog friendly. No.38 The Park uniquely combines the luxury of a hotel with the independence of a bed and breakfast creating a warm and homely feel.

The George Cheltenham | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

The George is inspired by the origniality and diversity of the local area.The George is approachable, warm and friendly and big on design and living like a local. The George offers 46 deisgn-led rooms which come equipped with blackout curtains, rainfall shower, Wi-Fi and a Smart TV. There is contactless check-in, a 24-hour pantry, and drop-and-go check-out. There are leisure amenities available, which can be booked through front of house team.

Day 5 Depart Cheltenham

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 6kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 6kg is equivalent to 4.5 ham and cheese sandwiches from the store. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

If you are short on time, this itinerary includes all of the highlights you would get from our longer trips. Experience history, culture, views, and welcoming locals through the 3 days of fantastic walking.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Short Break

Grade & Terrain

Escape to the Cotswolds is graded easy to moderate overall. You will pass through rolling hills and some steep ups and downs as well as historical sights of interest. The trail is on well-maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields, golf courses and on some minor roads. It does involve some steep ascents and descents from the escarpment. Some of the paths can become very muddy and boggy when rain falls, often making progress slower than normal. The paths are remote in sections but are walked regularly by other hikers and locals, with a few short sections being on indistinct paths.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

4 Nights in hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
Door to door baggage transfers
Transfer to Cheltenham from Charlton Kings on Day 4
Detailed information, GPX tracks and route information with the Macs Adventure App
Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem

Excluded

Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Travel Insurance
Personal Equipment

Extras

Extra nights

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

Rail: Train services connect London to Moreton-on-Marsh (2hrs) and Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon (1hr). Taxi or bus services are available for the respective 6 or 12-mile last leg to Chipping Campden.

Road: National Express coaches serve Bath, Cheltenham and Broadway. Unsecure on-street parking is available in Chipping Campden.

Getting from the End

Cheltenham is well connected by rail, you can get direct trains to London (2.5 hours), Bristol (45mins) and to Birmingham. (45mins).

If you have left a car in Chipping Campden getting back from Cheltenham on public transport can be tricky – with many connecting stops. Please visit the Traveline Website or National Rail Enquiries for further information on public transport and timetables.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

If you are travelling from far afield and do have more than one bag it is possible to arrange for the extra luggage to be stored whilst you are on tour for a fee of £25 per bag. These additional bags would be picked up from your accommodation at the start point of your tour and dropped off wherever you finish depending on the itinerary you are doing. This must be booked in advance if you are interested in this option. Please do not show up and ask the driver on your first day of walking.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the direct routes at the time of our pathfinder walking them (this excludes walking to/from your accommodation to the start/end point, or for example coming off the path for lunch). There may be some slight discrepancies/small diversions that make the distances slightly out compared to your own mapping software (Strava/Garmin/Apple Watch).

Online Documents

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.

On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How far in advance do I need to book? How fit do I need to be? Can I combine my Cotswold holidays? What gardens can I visit in the area? What ruins/history/country houses can I see along the way? What personal equipment do I need? When is the best time of year? Am I able to take my dog? What happens if I can’t walk a stage? Multiple taxi transfers on the Cotswold Way.

Walking in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are world-famous for bustling market towns, beautiful villages, and stunning countryside. This short feature follows Mark and Sonia who spent their 30th wedding anniversary walking on a Macs Adventure walking tour in the Cotswolds.