6 Day Pure Self Guided Cotswolds Walking Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 – Cotswolds Introductory walk from Moreton in Marsh

Guests arrive by train from London Paddington into Moreton in Marsh, a 90 minute direct journey. We will have you set up for an independent self guided afternoon walk to Batsford’s wonderful Arboretum, one of the largest private tree collections in the country, for a chance to explore both the Arboretum and the botanical gardens.

Mileage: 6.5 miles

Day 2 – Chipping Campden and Hidcote Gardens

We meet guests and set you up for your self guided walk through the rolling countryside into the historic market town of Chipping Campden for lunch, famous for its golden stoned medieval buildings and beautiful market hall, built during the Cotswolds woolen boom. Guests wishing to walk further can walk to the stunning Hidcote Gardens and its eccentric series of American inspired ‘outdoor rooms’. Our routes take guests back along winding country lanes to their hotel in Chipping Campden.

Mileage: 9 miles

Day 3 – Broadway Tower and Snowshill Manor

Guests head out of Chipping Campden along the Cotswold Way to Broadway Tower, from where you can see 16 counties! There is an optional walk to Snowshill manor for lunch; home an eccentric collection of Cotswold treasures. The afternoon walk takes guests into Broadway, a true jewel of the Cotswolds, and where guests stay for the next two nights.

Mileage: 10 miles

Day 4 – Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle

Guests walk from Broadway to Winchcombe, through the Cotswold hills, past an Iron Age fort and towards the magnificent ruins at Hailes Abbey. Founded in 1246 it was once the centre of Cistercian monastic life. The walk continues towards the enchanting Sudeley Castle & Gardens, where Queen Catherine Parr, sixth wife of King Henry VIII, is buried. Guests can walk into for Winchcombe for afternoon tea, before taking the steam train back to their hotel in Broadway for the evening.

Mileage: 11 miles

Day 5 – Windrush Valley and the Slaughters

Walking from Broadway, guests wind their way through stunning lavender fields and tiny villages, stopping for lunch in the pretty village of Guiting Power. Our route follows the Windrush river through Naunton and into the Slaughters – these exceptional villages are incredibly popular highlights of our tour and show the true personality of the Cotswolds as it was before industrialization. Guests stay in the Slaughters overnight.

Mileage: 10 miles

Day 6 – Stow on the Wold

From the Slaughters guests walk to the historic town of Stow on the Wold, a medieval market place sat on the Fosse Way – a long distance Roman road. Guests can walk on to Donnington and Broadwell, famous for their delicious Donnington Ale and brewery. The route returns to Moreton in Marsh for the end of the tour.

At the end of our Cotswolds self guided walking tour, we will help guests with all ongoing travel arrangements, a direct train into London or to other locations.

Mileage: 9.5 miles

Accommodation

Guests on our Cotswolds self guided walking tour stay in the best 4* hotels in the Cotswolds region, with unbeatable settings, wonderful accommodation and stunning food. Further 3 * options are available for those who want to stay in a country cottage location or in a selection of hand-picked bed and breakfasts or pubs.