The Cotswold Way South Route (7 days, 6 nights)

Arrive in Painswick and stay overnight.

The picturesque town of Painswick is the mid-point of the Cotswold Way and is a delightful village with independent eateries and boutique shops. Look out for the 99 yew trees in the churchyard which date from the 1800’s - legend has it that the Devil would destroy the 100th tree if it was planted, however there is an additional yew (number 100) planted at the rear of the church to celebrate the millennium. It’s still thriving contrary to the legend without a Devil in sight. Painswick recently featured in J.K.Rowling’s novel “A Casual Vacancy” and is also home to the Rococco Gardens which are worth a visit.

Descend from Painswick to cross the Wash Brook before climbing again onto Edge Common. The trail plunges back into woodland before emerging at Haresfield Beacon and the iron-age Bulwarks hillfort, with views of the escarpment and River Severn. The route descends gently through Standish Woods, with beautiful displays of bluebell and wood anemone in the spring and ferns throughout the summer, to emerge into the Stroud Valley through grass pastures. The village of Stonehouse actually appears in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Stay overnight in Stonehouse. Luggage will be transferred. 

Continue through Dursley then climb steeply up onto Stinchcombe Hill followed by another steep ascent to the Tyndale Monument and Brackenbury Camp Hillfort, with views over Wotton-on-Edge. The trail then makes for the village of Alderley down a delightful sunken woodland track before climbing again. Climb gently to the Somerset Monument before heading towards the village of Hawkesbury Upton and on to Wotton Under Edge. Wotton Under Edge boasts a large number of listed buildings, as well as independent shops and eateries.

Stay overnight in Wotton Under Edge. Luggage will be transferred. 

Passing an ancient drover’s pond, the Cotswold Way follows Bath Lane south towards Horton, reaching the National Trust property of Horton Court, which is believed to be the oldest vicarage in England. From there the trail climbs up onto Horton Fort with extensive views opening out over the Severn Vale and beyond, before crossing farmland to the village of Horton and on to Old Sodbury where you will stay for the night.

Stay overnight in Old Sodbury. Luggage will be transferred. 

From Old Sodbury, the trail passes through the wonderful Capability Brown parkland of Dodington Park before crossing the final few fields into Tormarton. Leave Tormarton to the south along the Marshfield Road, following the trail as it crosses arable land and eventually leads to a path skirting the perimeter wall of Dyrham Park – an ancient deer park. From Dyrham, the trail climbs through woodland to Cold Ashton.

Stay overnight in Cold Ashton. Luggage will be transferred. 

What a finale! The trail descends into the beautiful secluded valley at Lower Hamswell, passing the promontory hill fort at Little Down and the famous Bath Racecourse. The city can be glimpsed in the valley below and the trail gradually becomes more urban over the final miles, passing parks and regency architecture on its way to Bath Abbey. Here you’ll find a carved stone disc set into the pavement outside the ornate west doors to mark the end of the Cotswold Way. Bath is a fabulous place to stay and many choose to extend their trip to give time to explore the attractions including the famous Roman Baths.

Stay overnight in Bath or depart. Luggage will be transferred. 

Bath is well connected with trains and is a short distance from Bristol airport.