Discover The Cotswolds
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What to Do in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are located in South West England, less than 100 miles and 90 minutes by train from London. The area has long drawn ‘walkers’ (aka hikers) and cyclists to its idyllic English landscapes and picturesque villages. Many choose to hike the Cotswold Way, a 102-mile National Trail that starts in Chipping Camden and ends in historic Bath, a UNESCO listed city. Others set out on specially designed loop trails like the Cotswold Trail, or its upgraded cousin the Cotswolds In Comfort. Those wanting a shorter, easier best-of type experience indulge themselves with hand-picked 5 star accommodations on our Cotswolds to Bath In Style. And for those who want to add a moderately active short break to their travels, the 5 day Escape to the Cotswolds is ideal. We also have a few exceptional cycling adventures along the rolling hills and country lanes in the heart of the Cotswolds.
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Download your Macs Cotswold Hiking Guide
Curious to know more about hiking in the Cotswolds? We have one of the most comprehensive selections of Cotswold hiking tours in the US market, with a variety of different itineraries to suit your personal hiking style.
Download our Macs Guide to Hiking in the Cotswolds. Or you can speak with one of our experts through an enquiry form  or give us a call at +1-844-857-0642.
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Most Frequently Asked Questions about the Cotswolds
Being experts on hiking and cycling in the charming English Cotswolds it’s unlikely that there’s a question that we’ve not been asked before! We like a challenge though…so please reach out to us if you have any! But first, check out our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. Top questions include:Â
Q. When is the best time of year to hike in the Cotswolds?Â
Q. How fit do I need to be?Â
Q. What gardens can I visit and where is the best cream tea?
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Historic and Quirky Cotswold Facts
Limestone - The Limestone is what gives the Cotswolds villages and churches their honey-colored glow. The dry-stone walls built in the Cotswolds are everywhere and you will walk alongside many on your travels. If you laid them end to end they would stretch further than the Great Wall of China.
Wool - The Cotswolds were manly built on the wool trade and you can still see many examples of mills on your walks. Many of the impressive local buildings were built with money from the wool trade. The local sheep are called the 'Cotswold Lions' and have been brought back from the brink of extinction.
Unique Local Customs - There are a lot of very interesting local customs, which you can participate in should you be visiting the area at that time of year. There is an annual cheese rolling at Coopers Hill, Birdlip, where contestants roll wheels of Double Gloucester cheese down a hill! There is also a football game in Bourton on Water where the goalposts are either side of a river! These are only the tip of the iceberg too.
Outstanding Beauty - The Cotswolds is the largest Area of Outstanding Beauty in England, and the second-largest protected area after the Lake District. The Cotswolds are rural England at its most stunning, the towns and villages with their warm honey limestone facades adding charm and beauty to the natural wonder that surrounds them.
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Why book your Cotswold vacation with Macs?
Since 2007 we’ve organized thousands of hiking tours in the Cotswolds. Each year our staff spend time here seeking out the best footpaths, accommodations, pubs and tea rooms. We realized that there is more than just the Cotswold Way walk, so we developed Trail and the Round to showcase the finest villages, historic landmarks and quaint countryside the area has to offer. And our Cotswolds in Comfort and In Style tours offer some of the nicest accommodations in the region.
As in all of our self-guided hiking tours we transfer your luggage and you can travel on your terms by choosing your own departure date and who you travel with. We provide route info packs and maps in our easy-to-use app which even works offline.
Our specialists are here to help connect you with your perfect adventure. Just get in touch if you have any questions.