The Cotswolds in Comfort
- Hike England’s quintessential landscapes of the Cotswolds in comfort
- Wandering down the quiet lanes of picturesque Cotswold villages
- The warm and friendly atmosphere of a Cotswold country pub
- Hotels and inns offering cosy comfort & the warmest of welcomes
- Discovering the abbeys, historic houses, ruins and history of the area
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Moreton-in-MarshMoreton-in-Marsh is a one-hour thirty-five-minute train journey from London Paddington.
One of the principal market towns in the Northern Cotswolds, it has been a traveller's town for at least 1700 years. The wide main street is lined by inns, shops and galleries and hosts a weekly Tuesday market.
The White Hart Royal, with individually designed bedrooms, is a historic 17th century coaching inn. All bedrooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, mineral water and biscuits. From the revenue the hotel receives they donate the cost of a new baby tree to the local woodland trust. In this way they not only contribute towards a great local ’green’ cause, they also provide guests with the feel good factor of knowing that having an overnight stay here a little tree will grow!
The luxurious four-star Manor House Hotel is an enchanting 16th century Cotswold retreat where you can revel in luxury, indulge yourself with fine food and drink and relax in a homely and friendly atmosphere. Each of the rooms has a character of its own, with distinctive décor and everyone has a fine view. The rooms feature flat-screen televisions; tea making facilities and freshly ground coffee and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The restaurant offers a diverse choice of dishes, prepared from the freshest local Cotswold produce, with seasonal twists that remind you of your countryside location. To complement such gastronomic delights, an extensive wine list has been thoughtfully put together.
Starting in the linear market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, you will head off into the countryside winding through quiet fields, over gurgling streams and through dotted woodland. The way is watched over by rabbits, birds, squirrels and hawks while the waterways are full of fish from rainbow trout to giant pike. Passing through quintessential Cotswold villages, the houses, gardens and general ambience have a calming effect, harking back to simpler times. The town of Stow-on-the-Wold is chocolate box perfect, and Lower Slaughter, despite the name, is even more so. Lower Slaughter's Copse Hill Road was voted the most romantic street in Britain, and you can see why with its gentle waterways, low stone bridges and stunning architecture.Â
Ascent:Â 540 ft /Â Descent:Â 510 ft
This inn is located within a 17th century building which was once an Eton cramming school. It stands four acres of beautiful grounds alongside the River Eye in the centre of Lower Slaughter. All the rooms are comfortably furnished and individually designed blending seamlessly with the traditional features of the oldest parts of the house with contemporary design. The Restaurant at the Slaughters Inn is open each evening for guests wishing to dine in its relaxing ambience, the menu offers a choice of seasonal dishes alongside traditional favourites featuring the best of Gloucestershire’s local produce.
The Slaughters Manor House is a beautiful 17th Century 4-star manor house which combines contemporary interiors with country charm, attentive service and one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the Cotswolds. Spring 2016 saw the entire ground floor renovated to restore the character of the building, exposing and emphasising architectural details contrasted with a modern, vibrant interior design.The Restaurant at their neighbouring sister property, The Slaughters Inn is open each evening for guests wishing to dine in its relaxing ambience, the menu offers a choice of seasonal dishes alongside traditional favourites featuring the best of Gloucestershire’s local produce.
The Dial House Hotel demonstrates a blend of old and modern to bring you the ultimate country hotel experience. The Hotel is situated in idyllic surroundings and is built from the famous mellow Cotswold Stone. The Dial House dates back to 1698 and is the oldest building still standing in the village. Room amenities include flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities.
Free wi-fi is available throughout the hotel.
Leaving the village of Lower Slaughter the route follows the Monarch’s Way to the delightful town of Bourton on the Water. From here you head into the countryside along the Windrush Valley to the village of Naunton and its interesting medieval dovecote. A stop off for lunch at a fantastic pub in Naunton is in order before continuing through fields to the village of Upper Slaughter and the valley of the River Eye which you follow back to Lower Slaughter.
Alternatively, you can skip this walk and have a free day in the so-called "Venice of the Cotswolds", Bourton-in-the-Water.Â
Ascent:Â 590 ft /Â Descent:Â 590 ft
This inn is located within a 17th century building which was once an Eton cramming school. It stands four acres of beautiful grounds alongside the River Eye in the centre of Lower Slaughter. All the rooms are comfortably furnished and individually designed blending seamlessly with the traditional features of the oldest parts of the house with contemporary design. The Restaurant at the Slaughters Inn is open each evening for guests wishing to dine in its relaxing ambience, the menu offers a choice of seasonal dishes alongside traditional favourites featuring the best of Gloucestershire’s local produce.
The Slaughters Manor House is a beautiful 17th Century 4-star manor house which combines contemporary interiors with country charm, attentive service and one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the Cotswolds. Spring 2016 saw the entire ground floor renovated to restore the character of the building, exposing and emphasising architectural details contrasted with a modern, vibrant interior design.The Restaurant at their neighbouring sister property, The Slaughters Inn is open each evening for guests wishing to dine in its relaxing ambience, the menu offers a choice of seasonal dishes alongside traditional favourites featuring the best of Gloucestershire’s local produce.
The Dial House Hotel demonstrates a blend of old and modern to bring you the ultimate country hotel experience. The Hotel is situated in idyllic surroundings and is built from the famous mellow Cotswold Stone. The Dial House dates back to 1698 and is the oldest building still standing in the village. Room amenities include flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities.
Free wi-fi is available throughout the hotel.
A transfer will take you to Guiting Power in the morning and as you have plenty of time today, be sure to explore this classic little chocolate box village in the heart of the Cotswolds. Today you follow clear paths with some undulating hills through woodland, coming out above Winchcombe. The view to the town below is yours to enjoy as you amble down the path, passing and visiting the magnificent Sudley Castle and its stunning grounds and gardens. The town of Winchcombe is picturesque, with some examples of architecture unique to the rest of the Cotswolds. Due to the lack of suitable accommodation in Winchcombe, you may in some cases overnight in Broadway with return transfers.
Ascent:Â 560 ft /Â Descent:Â 900 ft
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.
The Broadway Hotel, served over 400 years ago as a rural retreat still offers a feeling of tranquillity to be enjoyed by today’s visitors. The bedrooms are individually furnished, warm and inviting, with attention to detail in every bedroom. Each of the nineteen guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, beverage tray, hairdryer and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The Tattersalls Brasserie is in the beautiful new Atrium, the elegant, light filled brasserie offers an extensive a la carte menu with a good selection of fresh and seasonal dishes along with a choice of 31 day dry aged free range steaks.
The White Hart Inn is a 16th 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.
On today's walk, you have a choice of walks to Broadway, depending on how fresh your legs are feeling!
The standard route is a little bit tougher than the rest of the walks on the tour as it follows the full section of the popular Cotswold Way, heading north to the idyllic villages of Stanton and Broadway. On the way, you can visit Hailes Abbey and Stanway House, some of the Cotswolds’ real gems! The alternate "low route" goes via the Winchcombe Way and still allows you to visit these gems but cuts out around 3 miles (or 5 kilometres) in distance and avoids the slightly steeper sections of the Cotswold Way path!
Alternatively, you can even just walk to Stanton and finish at the wonderful Mount Inn pub and book a taxi (paid locally) to take you the final stretch to Broadway. Broadway itself has lured visitors for centuries and a stroll down the broad tree-lined High street is the perfect way to while away the evening.Â
- Winchcombe to Broadway via the "Cotswolds Way" (Standard): 12 Miles (19.5 kilometres) / Ascent: 425m / Descent: 425m
- Winchcombe to Broadway via the "Winchcombe Way" (Alternate Low Route): 9 Miles (14.5 kilometres) Ascent: 145m / Descent: 150m
- Winchcombe to Stanton. Taxi to Broadway (paid locally). Shortened walk via the Cotswold Way: 8 Miles (13 kilometres) Ascent: 145m / Descent: 150m
The Broadway Hotel, served over 400 years ago as a rural retreat still offers a feeling of tranquillity to be enjoyed by today’s visitors. The bedrooms are individually furnished, warm and inviting, with attention to detail in every bedroom. Each of the nineteen guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, beverage tray, hairdryer and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The Tattersalls Brasserie is in the beautiful new Atrium, the elegant, light filled brasserie offers an extensive a la carte menu with a good selection of fresh and seasonal dishes along with a choice of 31 day dry aged free range steaks.
One of the most famous hotels in the Cotswolds, the Lygon Arms hotel has been welcoming travellers to the Cotswolds since the 16th century. Rooms are either modern or traditional. All rooms have TV, a hairdryer, and complimentary toiletries, with Wi-Fi access also available. You can enjoy free use of the hotel’s health club, with an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, and fitness centre. Dining at The Lygon Arms is provided in The Great Hall, which is decorated with suits of armour. A varied à la carte menu is offered to guests, or informal dining can be enjoyed at The Goblets Bistro, all with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Russell’s is one of the chicest places to stay and eat in Broadway, it's situated in the former showroom of Sir Gordon Russell’s furniture. Above the restaurant are seven individually designed bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, luxury bedlinen and air conditioning. Flat screen televisions, broadband internet access and original architectural features all combine to create a supremely comfortable experience.
Your day starts with a steady climb to Broadway Tower, a unique Capability Brown folly tower. Located at the second highest point on the Cotswold Escarpment it offers one of the finest views in England. After enjoying the views from the tower enjoy a gentle stroll down to the honey-coloured cottages, tea rooms and gift shops of Chipping Campden.
Ascent:Â 740 ft /Â Descent:Â 740 ft
Cotswold House Hotel and Spa is set in the heart of Chipping Campden, with two acres of landscaped townhouse gardens behind it. It has overlooked the Square for more than 200 years, and for the last ten years has been one of the most prestigious hotels in the Cotswolds.
Its 28 bedrooms include garden cottages and suites, some with private gardens and hot tubs, limestone baths and mood lighting, and all designed to be comfortable and indulgent. Rooms include a flat-screen TV, excellent bathroom facilities, and facilities for making tea and coffee.
The award-winning 16th-century Noel Arms hotel features open log fires, each individually styled, luxury room boasts elegant furniture, an en-suite bathroom with a bath and a shower, and free toiletries. One of the rooms features a luxurious, carved four-poster bed which dates back to 1657. The airy conservatory and terrace are an ideal location for lunch or a handmade cake from the on-site coffee shop. You can also use the Temple Spa at the sister hotel across the road, Cotswold House.
A final delightful day of walking through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds wanders through Broad Campden, Blockley and then to Moreton-in-Marsh where your journey began.
Ascent:Â 885 ft /Â Descent:Â 885 ft
The White Hart Royal, with individually designed bedrooms, is a historic 17th century coaching inn. All bedrooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities, mineral water and biscuits. From the revenue the hotel receives they donate the cost of a new baby tree to the local woodland trust. In this way they not only contribute towards a great local ’green’ cause, they also provide guests with the feel good factor of knowing that having an overnight stay here a little tree will grow!
The luxurious four-star Manor House Hotel is an enchanting 16th century Cotswold retreat where you can revel in luxury, indulge yourself with fine food and drink and relax in a homely and friendly atmosphere. Each of the rooms has a character of its own, with distinctive décor and everyone has a fine view. The rooms feature flat-screen televisions; tea making facilities and freshly ground coffee and en-suite bathrooms generously stocked with complimentary Molton Brown products. The restaurant offers a diverse choice of dishes, prepared from the freshest local Cotswold produce, with seasonal twists that remind you of your countryside location. To complement such gastronomic delights, an extensive wine list has been thoughtfully put together.
After breakfast, your walking holiday will come to an end. See the Travel Info section for some useful details for your onward travel. Â
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.
Other Information
Is it for me?Perfect for those looking to enjoy the Cotswolds at a slower pace. Expect hikes to be around 5 to 10 miles a day through the Cotswolds' beautiful green countryside, picturesque chocolate box villages, tasting delicious local food and overnighting in comfortable country hotels or charming inns.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This trip is graded between easy to moderate and moderate depending on which itinerary you choose. The trail follows well maintained footpaths, bridleways, open fields and some minor roads. It does involve some relatively steep ascent and descent from the escarpment and days of up to 12 miles hiking. The longer days can be shortened by taking local buses or taxis.
The Cotswolds in Comfort tour is a Slow Adventure where distances are around 5-10 miles per day and doable for anyone who is a regular walker. Most of the walks on the tour are graded easy to moderate (therefore the tour collectively is graded easy to moderate), however, there are a couple of days that are deemed moderate due to some steeper ascents/descents.Â
We use handpicked, high quality B&B’s, guesthouses and country inns of typical Cotswold character. Honey coloured cottages, roaring log fires, comfortable country bedrooms and the warmest of welcomes are what we look for to make your stay extra special. We have included a few examples below to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Accommodation Location
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the tour itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability we may have to accommodate you into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.
Solo Walkers
This hiking tour is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs there is a solo walker supplement payable.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.
Whilst the Cotswolds are waymarked (it is normally for the Cotswold Way, but local towns and villages are usually also signposted). At sections, the trail can be featureless and off the beaten path. Navigation is straightforward with the Macs Adventure App which has maps, GPX tracks, and daily route info. Simply download the tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you’ll find your way
Recommended Reading
Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
- Map: The Cotswolds. Ordnance Survey Explorer OL45 (1:25,000)
- Overnights in hand picked B&B's, guesthouses and country inn's
- Breakfasts
- Door to door baggage transfer of one bag per person.
- Detailed information, GPX tracks and route information with the Macs Adventure App
- Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.
- Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Additional nights before, during or after the walk
This tour can be best enjoyed from April to October. Springtime is particularly beautiful as all the spring flowers will be in bloom. Please note due to the limited availability of accommodation for one-night stays at weekends there are likely to be restrictions on the start date.
Rail: Regular services connect London Paddington and Moreton-in-Marsh (1h35) .
Road: On street parking is available in Moreton-in-Marsh, there is no secure parking. Driving directions from the M40 Southbound: Leave the M40 at junction 15 (signposted to Warwick, Stratford, Coventry A46) and join the A429 southbound towards Cirencester. Continue on A429 for approx. 22 miles into Moreton-in-Marsh.
Please visit the Traveline Website or National Rail Enquiries for further information on public transport, journey planning and timetables.
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.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good hiking boots or shoes, sun hat, sun screen and a day pack. For the summer months lightweight clothing. and the winter months warmer clothes along with a hat and gloves.
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard hiking gear such as good hiking boots or shoes, sun hat, sun screen and a day pack. For the summer months lightweight clothing. and the winter months warmer clothes along with a hat and gloves.
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.
The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your trip. The longer days can be shortened by using taxis or public transport if you would prefer shorter days.
If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardiovascular exercise for at least six months before your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the Cotswolds are extremely popular. If booking at short notice, we will always try and accommodate your plans.
We would recommend Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and Hidcote, famous for its rare trees and shrubs. Click here for a full list of Gardens and Arboreta in the Cotswolds.
There are many houses and historical monuments throughout the Cotswolds, and what you can see depends on the itinerary you are doing. There are historic houses, rustic ruins and many museums for you to explore. Click here for a full list of Historic Houses and Museums.
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc.Â
We offer this trip between April and October. In our opinion there is no bad time for walking in the Cotswolds but would especially recommend the spring and autumn.Â
We recommend you travel by train to Moreton-in-Marsh, which is 1h30 from London Paddington. If you are driving, we recommend leaving your car in Moreton-in-Marsh where on-street parking is available.
A daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the cost of your holiday. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
You can use local bus services or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
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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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HikingWhy Book a Slow Adventure in the Cotswolds?Read More2 Min Read04 May 2021
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