Cotswold Villages Walk

Walk Overview

The Cotswold Villages Walk is a circular walk from and to the historic market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. The route covers 80 kilometres (50 miles) and generally takes four to eight days of walking. Typically, the route is walked in five days with an average daily walking distance of 16 kilometres (10 miles). 

The walk commences and finishes in the historic market town of Moreton-in-Marsh in the northern Cotswolds. The High Street of this town has many elegant seventeenth and eighteenth century buildings including the Redesdale Market Hall. Each Tuesday, a busy market is held with about 200 quality stalls. There are several pubs, inns, tearooms, restaurants and a range of accommodation in the immediate vicinity. Nearby, the Batsford Arboretum houses one of the largest private collection of rare trees in England.

The Cotswold Villages Walk offers a wonderful combination of quintessential English countryside together with some of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds. Many walkers choose to take rest days to properly appreciate the attractions of some of the villages en route.

Most of the villages along the path offer an array of accommodation, inns, eating options, gift shops, art galleries and local attractions. 

The numerous highlights of the walk include:

• The stunning views from the whimsical Broadway Tower folly.

• The beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water with its centre clustered around the River Windrush.

• Winchcombe, an attractive town of stone and half-timbered buildings that provides a good base from which to visit Sudeley Castle and its gardens.

Other Cotswold gems accessible from this walk include Hailes Abbey, Stanway House and the medieval market town of Chipping Campden. These iconic Cotswold villages are interspersed amongst lush green countryside and the hedge lined laneways. You will soon discover why the Cotswolds region is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Cotswold Villages Walk covers 80 kilometres (50 miles) and generally takes about five days of walking. Your total trip duration then depends on whether you incorporate rest days and, if so, how many.

Assistance and further information:

• For assistance in undertaking the Cotswold Villages Walk, click the button below:

• For more information on walking in the Cotswolds, click the button below:

• A five day itinerary for undertaking the Cotswold Villages Walk is described below.

Itinerary

The walk takes about 5 days to complete. A typical 5 day itinerary is shown below.

Day 1

Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water

Distance: 19 km

Time: 4.5 hours

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast; hotels

Day 2

Bourton-on-the-Water to Winchcombe

Distance: 21 km

Time: 5 hours

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast

Day 3

Winchcombe to Broadway

Distance: 17 km

Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast; hotels

Walk Options

Guided

There are currently no walking tour operators who offer the Cotswold Villages Walk as a guided trip. There are tour operators who offer to guide other walks in the Cotswold region. Generally, with these options, comfortable or luxury accommodation is offered at one central base and walkers are transferred to and from a section of the walk each day.

Typically, the package offered by these operators include:

• 6 day tour with professional guides; 5 days of walking

• 6 nights accommodation at a central base

• All meals

• Transfers between the track and the accommodation

Assisted self-guided

Several tour operators offer self-guided trips on the Cotswold Villages Walk.

Typically, the service includes:

• Track notes, maps and information pack

• Accommodation (As a popular tourist destination, the Cotswolds offers a wide range of accommodation. The offerings of the tour operators vary considerably - some offer luxury accommodation (where available), while others focus on more basic lodgings. Pricing varies accordingly.)

• Luggage transport between accommodation (and sometimes, where necessary, vehicle transfers between track and accommodation)

• Breakfasts and optional packed lunches

• 24/7 support

The duration of the self-guided options varies depending upon how far you wish to walk each day. Accommodation options range from comfortable through to luxury, again depending upon the size of the village or town and the purchased package.

Independent

It’s quite feasible to book accommodation along the route yourself and, if you require luggage transfers, to arrange that independently.

For those considering this option, it’s worth noting that the self-guided tour operators often have preferred rates with accommodation providers and luggage transfer companies. They also often have reserved allocations at the best-located/most suitable accommodation for the particular walk, so sometimes when accommodation shows no availability to an independent inquiry there’s still availability through a self-guided operator.

Also, be aware that the Cotswolds is a popular destination for both local and overseas travellers, so during the holiday season it will usually be necessary to book accommodation well ahead of your visit.

Essential Information

Access

The starting point for the Cotswold Circuit is Moreton-in-Marsh. 

Moreton-in-Marsh is readily accessible by public transport. 

There are regular trains between London’s Paddington Station and Moreton-in-Marsh. 

Best time

The best time to do the walk is between March and November.

In spring and summer vivid wildflowers (especially bluebells and daffodils) adorn the route and then in September and October the autumnal foliage colours the landscape with various shades of pastel.

Difficulty

This walk is rated at a difficulty level of easy to moderate. It is waymarked and is generally well-defined and maintained.

Accommodation

There are many accommodation options at the start and finish of the Cotswold Circuit (Moreton-in-Marsh) and, generally, plenty along the route. Accommodation options include camping, hostels, B&B’s, guesthouses, inns and hotels.

Many of the accommodation providers, particularly those near to the route, are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers. 

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Dining

We can assist you in choosing special dining options along the route.

Other activities

As a popular tourist destination, the Cotswolds offers many attractions in addition to the Cotswold Circuit.

Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can explore these other attractions. Some will do that through rest days along the trail; others prefer ‘add-ons’ at the end of the walk. Some do both!

We can assist walkers to explore the many attractions of the Cotswolds.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.