Hike the Cotswolds Way
About this Adventure
Fact File:
Duration: 10 days
Price: 1,062 GBP
Discover the quintessential English landscape.
The image of rolling hills, countryside pubs and the sound of leather on willow on village greens are all evocative images of the English countryside. After all, they were used on recruitment poster in the war to remind people what they were fighting for. The idea being that the desecration of the peace of the English countryside was a crime no one could sit by and let happen. It is easy to think that with modern cities, cars, the internet and all the trappings that come with modern life that this quintessential English countryside may have been lost. Fortunately however it hasn’t, the Cotswolds still offer a view that takes you back in time to when England was a simpler place.
Hiking through the Cotswolds takes you across the rolling hills of rural England, along winding cobbled lanes, past thatched cottage, village pubs and cosy tea rooms, you may even wander across the village cricket team turning out on a sunny weekend afternoon.
It is easy to fall into the habit of believing a great adventure has to take you far away from your normal life, but the opportunity to see a new part of the country, or a place you’ve seen before but in a new light is one of the very best results of an adventure, and this hike displays just that. You don’t need to fly thousands of miles for an amazing landscape, we have them just round the corner.
Itinerary
Day 1
Independent transfer to Chipping Campden. This is a delightful journey from London in about two hours by train. Overnight in a fine four star hotel.
Day 2
Exit Chipping Campden through rolling farmland and soon follow Mile Drive to Broadway Tower, one of the famous follies of the region. Lunch in Broadway, one of the Cotswolds most classic towns. Continue on to Stanton, perhaps the simplest and most charming Cotswolds village. Overnight in a simple Bed and Breakfast.
Day 3
Stanton to Cleeve Hill. This is a long day which can be broken up into two short ones. Begin with a lovely ramble through the hamlet of Stanway and continue on to Haile’s Abbey built by the brother of Edward II . Enjoy lunch in Winchecombe before continuing on to the Cotswolds Way highpoint on Cleeve Common. Spend the first of two nights in a very well appointed Bed and Breakfast.
Day 4
Cleeve Hill to Seven Springs. Spend today high above Cheltenham, one of England’s prettier spa cities known for its Steeplechase grounds. Enjoy a pub lunch at the Reservoir Inn before a climb through atmospheric Lineover Wood and Ravensgare Hill. Finish at the Seven Springs Pub. Pick up and return to Cleeve Hill House Hotel.
Day 5
Return transfer to Birdlip. This is a unique stage of the Cotswolds Way in that it is almost entirely in woodlands.
Begin in the Witcombe Wood and visit the fascinating Witcombe Roman Villa. Pass the Double Gloucester Cheese Round Rolling Competition site at Cooper’s Hill before traversing to Painswick (the “Queen” of the Cotswolds). Overnight in a fine Bed and Breakfast.
Day 6
Begin with a long and pleasant traverse through Stockend Wood before ascending briefly to the Haresfield Beacon, a Roman Hill fort. Continue through the atmospheric Standish Wood and begin a lengthy descent into Stonehouse. Overnight in a fine hotel (the Courtyard is built around the burial site of Oliver Cromwell’s horse!).
Day 7
The walk begins in the ancient mill town of Kings Stanley. Pass by the famous Long Barrow and Hetty Pegler’s Tump (a Neolithic Chambered Mound). Ascend and traverse the lovely Cam Long Down and descend to Dursley for a pub lunch. Climb to the impressive Tyndall Monument before descent into Wotton Under Edge. Overnight in an excellent B&B.
Day 8
Walk through the charming hamlets of Alderley and Hillesley and on to Hawkesbury Upton. Enjoy a classic pub lunch in this classic Cotswolds village. Continue down Bath Lane to the beautiful hamlets of Horton and Sodbury. Cross over Doddington Park to Tormarton and a good hotel.
Day 9
Transfer to Cold Ashton (unless you are a purist) and wander through lovely farmland to the battle site of Lansdown Hill. Pass the Bath Racecourse and descend to this famous town. The routing through Bath takes you past the beautiful Royal Crescent and finishes at the Roman Baths. Overnight in an excellent hotel and celebrate your achievement in one of Bath’s excellent restaurants.
Day 10
Depart. Late morning flights out of London can easily be met.
For more details or to book this adventure Visit Ryder and Walker.
