The Cotswold Way (8 days, 7 nights)
Price (from)
Difficulty
Tour information
The Cotswold Way is one of the UK’s meticulously managed National Trail footpaths, covering 103 miles from the market town of Chipping Campden in the north of The Cotswolds to the spa town of Bath in the South.
This beautiful walking route traverses typical Cotswold countryside with a patchwork of fields separated by traditional honey-toned dry stone walls across rolling hillsides.
The route stops at a variety of traditional villages and small towns, showcasing the timeless charm of the region.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation
- Full English Breakfast
- Luggage Transfers
- Fully comprehensive tour pack with maps, available in English, German, French and Italian as standard. (Other languages available on request)
- Access to a smartphone digital app which offers GPS tracking for the routes (downloaded prior to save on data costs)
- Access to a 24/7 helpline in case of any emergencies
- Individual Travel to the UK
- Lunch and dinner
- Travel taxes
- Entry Fees to Attractions
Itinerary
- By Road: London via M40 & A40 (app 2hr). Birmingham via A435 (app 1hr; 36 miles) or M40 (app 1hr; 50 miles). Bristol via M5 (app 1hr 15min; 65 miles)
- By Ferry: The sea ports of Dover, Portsmouth or Southampton will require a train journey to Cheltenham Spa/Moreton in Marsh and then a bus or transfer as outlined above, or with prior notice Compass can arrange parking for your own car.
- By Rail:
- London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (app 1hr 45min) then bus to Chipping Campden (app 45min) or taxi (app 15min; 10 miles).
- Birmingham Moor Street to Stratford-Upon-Avon (app 50min) then 7 min walk to bus stop then bus to Chipping Campden (25-45min).
- Bristol Temple Meads to Moreton-in-Marsh via Didcot & Oxford (2hrs 30min) then bus to Chipping Campden (app 45min) or taxi (app 15min; 10 miles)
- By Bus: A number of local buses and taxis run along the route. Compass Holidays will be more than happy to assist visitors in booking a taxi transfer. Local timetables can also be obtained and shared with visitors. The times are seasonal and vary throughout the year.
By Air:
The nearest airports for the trail are Birmingham and Bristol, however access is still easy from London. Trains to Cheltenham Spa or Moreton in Marsh provide the best start with the option of a bus to Chipping Campden or alternatively Compass Holidays can arrange a transfer for a small additional charge
Arrive at Chipping Campden and spend the night. Chipping Campden, a traditional market town, showcases well-preserved historic features dating back to the 14th century. It serves as an early example of purposeful town planning, thanks to a charter from King Henry II that outlined the town's layout.
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 does the luggage transfer service work?
We offer a luggage transfer service across most of our tours so you don’t have to worry about your luggage during your vacation. We pick up your luggage on the morning you are moving accommodation and take it direct to your next stop.
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.
