Walk The Cotswolds

Walking Holidays in the Cotswolds!

Our guided Cotswolds walking tours allow you to escape on foot at your own pace. Hike through the stunning Cotswolds or walk the Cotswold Way, all within a short distance from London. Rest your weary legs in our cosy pubs and hand picked hotels every evening.

Rediscover the magic of the UK countryside by joining a group of like minded walkers, on your own, as a couple or with friends, and walk to reconnect with nature. Enjoy walking through tranquil and picturesque countryside as you regain your stride and explore the lush green landscapes and golden stone towns. From classic Cotswold villages like Chipping Campden, to Avebury stone circle and the dreamy Snowshill lavender fields, there’s always more to explore! 

Self-Guided or Private Walking Tours

We take all the hassle out of your walking tour by including all luggage transfers, organising and booking all accommodation, providing maps, GPS instructions, and recommending incredible iconic palaces, castles, estates, ancient sites and more to visit along the way.

Walk through the countryside along canals, rivers and meadows into our incredible towns and cities. Follow our self-guided walk into Bath, the beautiful Regency spa town, or tour around Oxford’s famous buildings, colleges, cathedral and dreaming spires.

Your Cotswolds Walking Holiday Starts Right Here

Self-Guided Tours

Walk The Cotswolds – Self-Guided

Return to nature hiking through the Cotswolds, enjoying the freedoms of walking in at your own pace, in your own time.
From£879
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Guided Tours

Walk The Cotswolds – Guided

Our 6-day, 5-night tour will lead you through honey coloured Cotswold villages and busy little market towns, on quiet paths, up and down rolling hills, and along country lanes.
From£1,799
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Our Tours Are Rated 97% Excellent by Trip Advisor

  • star rating  Recently did one of the Cotswold self-guided walking tours through Active England. The itinerary was excellent, as was Jago Hartland who met with us for orientation and kept in touch... read more

    avatar thumb tonybV5950LD
    December 1, 2022

    star rating  Super helpful, friendly and amenable team at Active England helped us have a brilliant experience. We are a late 50's Australian couple and not super fit, but the ebikes ... read more

    avatar thumb Tagalongtwo
    November 1, 2022

    star rating  Our Cotswolds bike trip was Amazing!! Thank you to our fantastic guide, Conor.
    The countryside was picture perfect with great little villages and sites to take in all along our... read more

    avatar thumb denisewT7376LE
    October 31, 2022
  • star rating  I loved the freedom and flexibility of Active England's self-guided Short Walks in the Cotswolds tour. It was easy to use the provided routes, the hotels were very nice,... read more

    avatar thumb lkfwallace
    October 26, 2022

    star rating  Had an amazing 4 day bike tour in the Cotwolds with our guide Amanda, tour director Jago and support from the wonderful office staff. We have nothing but great things... read more

    Lisa N
    October 18, 2022

    star rating  The perfect way to experience the Cotswolds was on a bicycle. Four days of lovely countryside, interesting inns, old churches and charming towns. Rick did an awesome job of supporting... read more

    BRwy
    October 6, 2022
  • star rating  From the planning stages of our fabulous self guided walk in the Cotswolds to our transfer and tour of Oxford and Bath, the Active England team were excellent. Jago took... read more

    Lovewalkingholidays
    October 6, 2022

    star rating  Can't say enough about Jago and the team. Walks were stupendous, inns were stunning, and the pub/restaurant recommendations were spot on. Transportation always punctual. Jago even gave us a bonus... read more

    ronmU411MJ
    October 1, 2022

    star rating  What a fabulous few days! Our guides, Tatty and Chris looked after us incredibly well. We didn't have to look at a map/check tide times/book restaurants/drive. Great... read more

    louiseabbott
    August 30, 2022
  • star rating  So many different secret and semi-secret swimming places that I could never have found on my own - and even if I had found them, I wouldn't have wanted... read more

    EveSwimmer
    August 29, 2022

    star rating  Chris and Jago were flexible, fun and incredibly helpful during our three-week bike journey in England. Chris was amazing at 'making changes on the go,' including showing us and delighting... read more

    364elizabethk
    August 29, 2022

    star rating  My son (30) and I (69) has a splendid self guided trip arranged by Active England. The bikes were first rate, the routes were gorgeous and mostly empty of cars,... read more

    T233SDsusand
    August 21, 2022
  • star rating  I really enjoyed my self-guided cycle tour of the Cotswolds with Active England Tours. Iago was a very knowledgeable guide who was very kind and accommodating. I am so grateful... read more

    Curiosity58496342239
    August 19, 2022

    star rating  Our arrival was a bit bumpy due to the train strikes. This incredible company immediately responded and were very diligent to get to us. Jago our Host for the tour... read more

    21suzie212020
    August 19, 2022

    star rating  Imagine tree-lined paths, peaceful moments with sky everywhere, and closing the day in a cosy pub- it was everything we imagined it would be! We did a six day... read more

    DarcyTrips
    July 31, 2022
  • star rating  My son and I just completed a three week LeJog tour through Active England, and were impressed with all the guides' professionalism and caring attitudes. They also made it... read more

    Y9371OEmarkl
    July 6, 2022

    star rating  We are a Bliss of four wild women who love wild swimming and have just completed an amazing weekend of open water swimming with our wonderful guides Tatty and Laura.... read more

    katyvdv
    June 26, 2022

    star rating  The LeJog tour with Active England was a bike tour of a lifetime. 19 days of riding averaging 60 miles per day. The guides were outstanding... read more

    jpeyemd
    June 21, 2022

UK Walking Holidays - Nature Near London

Our walking holidays are relaxing and hassle free. Travel from London, Bristol or the Midlands it’s an easy journey to the start of our Cotswold walking tours. We begin our walking tours from the likes of Oxford, Bath and Moreton in Marsh, a direct train ride out of London. You can begin your holiday stress-free, and explore the Cotswolds without a car. 

Fancy some coastal walking? Head to Cornwall to explore the rugged cliffs and dramatic landscapes of the South West Coast Path. Prefer mountains? We have some fantastic walking holidays in the Lake District – perfect for those looking to reconnect with nature and relish the mountainous views around every corner. 

Long Distance Walking Trips - National Trails

Step back in time on one of our idyllic walks through the heart of the English countryside, along routes used since prehistoric times, winding through villages, tracing ridgeways, down holloways, into woodlands, valleys, and with panoramic views around every corner.

These linear journeys, including, our Cotswolds Way Tour are the perfect way to discover England at its finest. Travel on your own or in a group along these beautiful trails, led by one of our superb outdoor guides. 

Top things you need to know before visiting the Cotswolds

Where are the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) stretches from Bath in the South to Stratford Upon Avon in the North, and across to Oxford in the East. An iconic pocket of England with breath-taking natural beauty, rolling hills and historic towns and villages, built from the golden Cotswold stone. 

How hilly are the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds are a range of hills, with its name stemming from ‘Cote’ meaning sheep enclosure and ‘wold’ meaning hills. There are therefore lots of hills and incredible views from the top! However, you will be able to miss out some of the steeper inclines – or add in some hillier walks for those looking to challenge themselves. There are routes for everyone and your guide will tailor your tour accordingly. 

What is the best way to get to the Cotswolds?

The best way into the Cotswolds from London and most major cities is by a direct train from Paddington into Oxford, Moreton-in-Marsh or Bath Spa. Our self-guided trips begin from mainline stations so you can arrive relaxed, refreshed and ready to start your tour. If you prefer to drive, please confirm with our team the best place to park for each tour. 

Can I do a walking tour as a solo traveller?

All our trips are open for single travellers to join. You will have a great time on our walking tours whether travelling on your own, as a couple, family or group, or choosing your own adventure on our self-guided tours. “As a single female, I would not hesitate to go on another Active England trip as a solo traveller”. S.G.

Where is The Ridgeway?

The Ridgeway is in Southern Central England, stretching down from Wiltshire, through the Chilterns AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the North Wessex Downs AONB. You can walk the trail in either direction, though on our tours we start at the Ivinghoe Beacon, finishing at Avebury stone circle.

Cotswolds Walking Tours Photo Gallery