The Best of the Cotswolds includes all the finest villages of the northern Cotswolds in manageable stages for people who prefer shorter walking days. You can do the full 8 night itinerary or just a part of it, with the price adjusted accordingly.
An eight night (or fewer if preferred) circular walking Holiday of the Cotswolds with shorter walking days. Begin any day you like subject to accommodation availability. The Best of the Cotswolds includes all the finest villages of the Northern Cotswolds in manageable stages for people who prefer shorter walking days. You can do the full 8 night itinerary or just part of it, with the price adjusted accordingly.
Price:
£895 in B&Bs and inns
£1030 per person in village Inns and hotels
Upgraded accommodation is available along the route, please ask for a quote.
Single supplement will depend on accommodation, please ask.
Included:
8 nights B&B accommodation, luggage transfers each walking day, route notes & maps, local back-up
Day 1:
Arrive Moreton-in-Marsh for overnight
Day 2:
Moreton in Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold (7 miles/11 kms) Cross the high wolds to Stow-on-the-Wold, complete with village stocks and picturesque square, via the fantastic Mogul manor house at Sezincote and a number of pretty hamlets. Overnight Stow-on-the-Wold.
Day 3:
Stow-on-the-Wold to Bourton-on-the-Water (5 miles – 8 kms) Today’s route from Stow-on-the-Wold is a leisurely downhill walk across meadows to picturesque Lower Slaughter with its working mill and on to Bourton-on-the-Water, with its many attractions. Overnight Bourton-on-the-Water.
Day 4:
Bourton-on-the-Water to Guiting Power (7 miles/11 kms) The route follows the River Windrush to the village of Naunton with its ancient dovecote and on to lovely Guiting Power, where the church has a fine Norman arch. Return to Bourton on the Water for a second night.
Day 5:
After breakfast you are transferred to Guiting Power and you walk from here to Winchcombe (6 miles/9.5 kms) through woods and fields before the dramatic descent to the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe, close to Sudeley Castle, last resting place of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife. Overnight in Winchcombe, with its fascinating church and local museums.
Day 6:
Winchcombe to Stanton (7 miles/11 kms) or Broadway (10.5 miles/17 kms) Follow the pilgrims’ route to Hailes Abbey, then over the hills to Jacobean Stanway House, with its magnificent gatehouse and medieval tithe barn and on to idyllic Stanton. Stay in the small village of Stanton or the coaching village of Broadway, where an array of fine houses and inns flank the ‘broad way’.
Day 7:
Stanton or Broadway to Chipping Campden (8 miles/13 kms or 4.5 miles/7 kms) Walk up to Broadway Tower, the 18th century folly from where there are fine views across the vale before descending to Chipping Campden, the loveliest of all Cotswold villages, with its covered market place, beautiful ‘wool’ church, almshouses and silversmith. Overnight in Chipping Campden.
Day 8:
Chipping Campden to Moreton in Marsh (7 miles/11 kms) Pass through the charming villages of Broad Campden and Blockley and descend to Batsford, where you may visit the arboretum and falconry centre. Finally, a pleasant stroll across meadows to Moreton in Marsh. Overnight Moreton in Marsh.
Day 9:
Departure after breakfast.
Example of B&B accommodation: www.crosskeyscottage.co.uk, http://hadley.house/, www.theolivebranch-broadway.com
Example of inns : www.redesdalearms.com, https://whitehartwinchcombe.co.uk
Example of hotels: https://www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/
Upgrade to luxury hotels is also possible. Price will depend on hotels and rooms chosen – dormyhouse.co.uk, www.lordsofthemanor.com
Moreton in Marsh has a direct train link to London Paddington with about 10 trains per day. If you arrive by car, please tell us and we will discuss the options of where you start the tour – as it is a circular route you can start on the day of your choice.
8 nights Bed and Breakfast in chosen level of accommodation, luggage transportation each walking day, route notes and maps, local back-up
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit
April to October. Accommodation will be difficult to obtain on UK national holidays unless booked well in advance (and may require an alteration to the programme).
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.
