Cheltenham Short Break – The Wonderful Way (5 nights, 6 days)
Price (from)
Difficulty
Tour information
Take a self-guided walking short break in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The elegant spa town of Cheltenham is a lively and pleasant base for your short break. Although it has a town centre bustling with culture, you can also be out in the unspoilt, rolling countryside within minutes.
Included/Excluded
- Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
- Luggage Transfers
- Fully comprehensive tour pack with colour coded routes on local maps
- Smartphone App with GPS
- Emergency Telephone Assistance
- Meals except breakfast
- Transport to and from the Cotswolds
Itinerary
Getting to Cheltenham in the Cotswolds
By Rail/Bus – The nearest train station to Cheltenham is Cheltenham Spa, you can then take a taxi or local bus to your hotel. Use the website below to help plan your journey.
By Bus – National Express and Megabus operate several routes from Cheltenham. Use the websites below to help plan your journey.
By Car – The Cotswolds and Cheltenham can be reached via the M4 or M5. Use the website below to help plan your journey.
On the M4 exit at junction 15 for Swindon and follow the A 419/A 417 to Cheltenham,
On the M5 exit at junction 11 when travelling from either the north or south then take the A40 into the centre of Cheltenham.,
Some of the hotels have free car parking and on others there is free on street parking. Also there is free parking at the Compass Holidays unit on Cheltenham Spa railway station
By Air – There are a number of airports close to Cheltenham including Bristol and Birmingham. From either of these it is possible to take a bus or train to Cheltenham. Use the websites below to help plan your journey.
For more information on getting to the Cotswolds please visit The Cotswolds website.
Explore the delights of Cheltenham and the Cotswold Scarp on this short break.
You will stay in Cheltenham for the duration of your trip, with the option of 4 walking routes to enjoy at your own pace.
Explore the delightful regency town of Cheltenham, taking in the most interesting Cheltonian architecture as well as exploring the town's history and the stories of some of the famous people who have lived in the city.
Enjoy a circular walk up Leckhampton Hill, The Devil's Chimney, Coberly and Seven Springs. Visit historical sites and enjoy stunning views from the Cotswold Way as you travel up Leckhampton Hill. Travel along the valley to the Seven Springs and take the time to simply relax and take in the beautiful countryside.
Take a linear walk that includes visits to Prinknash, Cranham, Birdlip, Barrow Wake and Crickley Hill. Cranham stands at the head of the valley of the River Frome and became famous after composer, Gustav Holst wrote 'In the Deep Midwinter' here. From here you will head down the Cotswold escarpment and back to your accommodation in Cheltenham.
Beginning in Winchcombe, visit the historic Sudeley Castle before crossing the stunning open grassland of Cleeve Common and from Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the area, you can take in the views across the Cotswolds and Severn Vale. Explore Belas Knap, a particularly fine example of a Neolithic long barrow with a false entrance and side chambers before returning to Cheltenham.
Recuperate from your journey before your departure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the start of my tour?
Most UK travel destinations are accessible by public transport.
However, some of the locations are quite rural and may require a car or taxi to reach the starting point.
Our tours do not include travel to the starting point as standard but if you would like specific travel to be include in your trip please let our team know.
Not quite sure where to start? Contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss your travel plans.
Do I have to walk/cycle every day of my trip?
Absolutely not! You can enjoy additional stop overs at various points along the tour if you would like more time to explore the local area.
We can also add additional days to the start and end of your trip to allow you to explore and relax.
If you would like to add rest days or additional nights to your trip please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss your specific requirements. We’re happy to tailor your trip to suit you!
How far can I walk or cycle each day?
How far you choose to travel each day depends on your individual fitness levels and how long you want to spend walking or cycling.
We have a wide range of tours to suit all fitness levels.
All our itineraries specify the daily mileage and the difficulty level of the tour.
If you would like to make adjustments to a tour to suit your specific needs, please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss a bespoke tour. We are good at this!
What about places to eat?
All our tours come with bed and breakfast as standard.
In some more remote locations, accommodation providing breakfast may not be possible but we will find you somewhere to get breakfast nearby. This will be covered in the price of your trip.
Our tours do not include lunch and dinner as standard, though some accommodations do offer packed lunches and dinner options at an additional charge. Please let us know if you would like this option when booking.
How fit do I have to be?
Our tours all vary in degrees of hardness.
We specify the difficulty level of all of our tours on our website. The itineraries also give an indication of the gradients travelled on any given day.
If you would like to discuss this in more detail with our travel experts please contact us prior to booking.
What ages do you cater for?
Both our walking and cycling tours can cater for travellers of all ages. Distance is listed on each of the tours. If you are unsure about the distance covered, please call us on +44(0) 1242 250 642.
All of our routes have been tried and tested by our expert team with lots of stop-offs and attractions so younger members of the team can rest and enjoy all that’s on offer. Please call us on +44(0) 1242 250 642 at the time of booking to discuss your exact requirements.
Cycling equipment
We have a large range of bikes and accessories suited to adults and budding cyclists. We also offer a tag along (tandem) (please note it is not fully enclosed and waterproof but a single wheeled bike that attaches to the adult bike). We can also provide fully enclosed and waterproof trailers for younger children.
What day can I start my tour?
Most of our tours can be taken at any time but there are some which start on specific days which are usually Saturday to Saturday.
To find out more information, please call our expert travel team on +44 (0) 1242 250 642 or email info@compass-holidays.com.
What type of accommodation is included?
Our holidays are priced with 3* hotel, B&B as standard. These accommodations are hand picked for our tours.
Where a bespoke or luxury option is required please contact us on +44 (0) 1242 250642.
Can I bring my dog with me?
Several of our tours do have the option to bring your four-legged friend with you, depending on availability.
Please contact our expert travel team on +44(0) 1242 250 642 to find out which tours your dog will love too!
