5 Days & 4 Nights

4.6

Escape to the Cotswolds

Stroll through the picturesque Cotswold villages
Relax in handpicked, welcoming and quaint 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 hiking vacation 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, cozy pubs and local bakeries.

From $865.00

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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

Accommodations

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 we 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

This tea room has en-suite accommodation upstairs. All rooms are tastefully decorated with a comfortable and cosy feel. 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.

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 / 1250 ft Descent: 425m / 1400 ft

Overnight Stanton

Accommodations

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 2 double en-suite rooms. The rooms have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.

The Vine | 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. The choice of rooms each with en-suite shower and wash basin, sharing two hallway wc's. Additionally there is a double room with private bath and wc.

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 / 690 ft Descent: 235m / 770 ft

Overnight Winchcombe

Accommodations

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 Charlton Kings 12 miles / 19 km

You begin with a scenic and historically interesting six-mile stretch to Cleeve Hill. The magnificent Sudeley Castle is soon followed by a Roman Villa and Belas Knap, a huge Neolithic burial chamber. A walk-up to Cleeve Hill summit is the penultimate section of this walk - the highest point of the Cotswold Way, offering outstanding views from the Cotswold escarpment. Not too far from here you will then descend and continue on towards the path where you will cut off to Charlton Kings.

Due to a lack of suitable accommodation in Charlton Kings, you will likely be overnighting in Cheltenham instead. An included taxi transfer will take you to Cheltenham from the London Inn on London Road not far from the end of the walk.

Ascent: 450m / 1480 ft Descent: 455m / 1490 ft

Overnight Cheltenham

Accommodations

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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included 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

Rail: The nearest train station to Charlton Kings where you will be staying on your last night is Cheltenham which is approx 3 miles away. The train from Cheltenham to London takes approx 2 hours or approx 1hr 30 to Bath.

If you have left a car in Chipping Campden getting back from Cheltenham on public transport takes about 3 hours. Please visit Traveline for further information.

Luggage Transfer

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 the 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. Please contact us if you are interested in this option.

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? What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Hiking 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 hiking tour in the Cotswolds.

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Escape to the Cotswolds

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Itinerary

Other Information

Alternative accommodation

Single Rooms

Solo Walkers

Recommended Reading

Online Documents

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The Southern Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath

Escape to the Cotswolds

Why Macs

The Biggest Choice

Founded in 2003

23,000+ Customer Reviews

B Corp Certified