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 Cotswolds Walks
Route NamePicDistanceDescription
Cheltenham Circular Footpath25 miles (40 km)Devised by Cheltenham Borough Council this marked circular walk around Cheltenham gives wonderful views of the Cotswolds escarpment. The walk starts and ends near Pitville Park and passes Cheltenham racecourse and Dowdeswell Reservoir.
Claude Duval Bridleroute63 miles (102 km)This shared walking and cycle path runs from Quainton, near Aylesbury in Oxfordshire to Great Barrington in the Cotswolds.
This route is named after the well-known local highwayman, Claude Duval. It starts at Quainton and passes Stratton Audley, Bicester and Bucknell before crossing the Oxford Canal near Woodstock. The route then heads towards Chipping Norton and then Spelsbury where you join the River Evenlode for a short waterside stretch to Ascott d'Oyley. You then head onto Great Barrington via Fifield.
For cyclists a hybrid or mountain bike is required for this route. This is a fairly challenging route but with some fabulous Cotswolds scenery to enjoy.
Cotswold Canals41 miles (66 km)Follow a series of delightful waterways from Framilode to Lechlade on this waterside walk through Gloucestershire.
The walk starts at Framilode, next to the River Severn and folows the Stroudwater Canal and the River Frome to the market town of Stroud. You continue to Sapperton, following the River Frome and the Thames and Severn Canal. A wooded section through Hayley Wood follows before coming to Kemble where you will pass the source of the River Thames.
From Kemble you head to the village of Siddington and then on to South Cerney where you will pass the fabulous Cotswold Water Park which boasts 150 lakes, Nature Reserves and plenty of options for refreshment.
The final section takes you through the countryside towards Kempsford, passing the River Colne and the Fairford/Lechlade section of the Cotswold Water Park before arriving at the finish point at Lechlade.
There's much to enjoy on this walk with several waterside sections along various canals, rivers and lakes. There are also a series of quaint Cotswold villages with ancient churches, historic watermills and pretty waterside pubs for refreshment.
Cotswold Round217 miles (349 km)Travel through some of the most beautiful countryside and prettiest villages in England on this circular walk. You will visit a series of classic Cotswolds towns and villages including Cheltenham Spa, Winchcombe, Stanton, Broadway, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water (video below). There is much to enjoy with lush green countryside, historic houses, beautiful parks, woodland sections and homely country pubs for refreshments.
Cotswold Way102 miles (164 km)This trail takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside in England.
It runs for just over 100 miles from Chipping Camden in Gloucestershire to the historic city of Bath in Somerset.
As well as proffering wonderful views of the Cotswold Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty, you can also see the River Severn, the Black Mountains of Wales and the Forest of Dean from the route.
You will pass through or near a series of attractive market towns such as Chipping Sodbury, Wooton-under-Edge, Stroud and Cheltenham before arriving at the splendid Roman city of Bath at the end of the trail.
Donnington Way62 miles (99 km)Visit the 15 pubs of the Donnington Brewery on this super walk through the Cotswolds. The walk starts in Stow-on-the-Wold and heads to a series of delightful Cotswold villages including Bourton-on-the-Water, Naunton, Guiting Power, Broadway, Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Frome Valley Walkway18 miles (29 km)This pleasant and fairly easy walk takes you from Eastville Park on the outskirts of Bristol to the village of Old Sodbury along the River Frome.
The route starts passing through the parks and woodlands around Bristol before entering the open countryside of Gloucestershire.
You will pass through Frampton Cotterell, Chipping Sodbury and Yate with the Cotswold Hills providing a splendid backdrop for the route.
For an excellent full guide to this walk please click here
Gloucestershire Way94 miles (151 km)Travel from Chepstow in Wales to Tewkesbury in Gloucestshire and visit the Forest of Dean, the Severn Plain and the Cotswolds on this beautiful and varied walk.
The recommended stages for the walk are:
Chepstow to Parkend - 13.5 miles
Parkend to May Hill - 14 miles
May Hill to Gloucester - 13 miles
Gloucester to Crickley - 12 miles
Crickley to Salperton - 12 miles
Salperton to Stow-on-the-Wold - 11 miles
Stow to Winchcombe - 13 miles
Winchcombe to Tewkesbury - 11.5 miles
Worcestershire Way Link - 12 miles.
The walk takes place mainly on field and woodland paths and is well waymarked with a yellow disc featuring Gloucester Cathedral.
Gustav Holst Way34 miles (55 km)Follow the Gustav Holst Way through the Cotswolds from Cranham to Wyck Rissington and enjoy the scenery and villages enjoyed by the composer.
The walk starts in the pretty village of Cranham where Holst lived for a while in 'Midwinter Cottage'. The first section of the walk takes you from Cranham to Cheltenham, passing through Buckholt and Witcombe Wood, Birdlip and the delightful Crickley Hill Country Park. The park is set in 143 acres of countryside within the Cotswolds AONB and includes Limestone Grassland, Beech Woodlands and panoramic views of this beautiful area. This section of the walk also passes the Devil's Chimney - an unusal limestone rock formation that stands above a disused quarry in Leckhampton.
The walk then takes you through the interesting city of Cheltenham (Holst's birthplace), passing the attractive Cheltenham College Grounds and the Gustav Holst memorial statue.
After leaving Cheltenham you continue through the lovely Cotswolds countryside towards the village of Guiting Power. On this section you will pass Cleeve Hill, the highest point both of the Cotswolds hill range and in the county of Gloucestershire, at 1083 ft. Here you will also find Belas Knap neolithic chambered long barrow. A scheduled ancient monument in the care of English Heritage, it has been described as an 'outstanding example representing a group of long barrows commonly referred to as the Cotswold-Severn group'. After leaving Cleeve Hill the path passes through the peaceful Guiting Wood, before arriving at the pretty village of Guiting Power.
The final section of the walk follows the River Windrush to the popular tourist destination of Bourton-on-the-Water. The village is particularly picturesque with the River Windrush flowing through the centre where it is crossed by several low, arched stone bridges. Shortly after, the walk comes to an end at Wyck Rissington where Holst was the resident organist for the church.
Heart of England Way101 miles (163 km)Follow the Heart of England Way through the Midlands of England. The walk starts from Milford Common on Cannock Chase and heads through Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire before finisihing at Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds.
Major towns and cities on the route include
  • Milford
  • Cannock Chase
  • Castle Ring
  • Lichfield
  • Drayton Bassett
  • Shustoke
  • Meriden
  • Berkswell
  • Balsall Common
  • Rowington
  • Henley-in-Arden
  • Alcester
  • Bidford-on-Avon
  • Upper Quinton
  • Mickleton
  • Chipping Campden
  • Longborough
  • Bourton-on-the-Water
Walk highlights include the delightful Cannock Chase Country Park at the start of the route, Kingsbury Water Park, the beautiful Arden Countryside and the Cotswolds AONB. The walk is well waymarked with a green and white disc.
Jubilee Way16 miles (26 km)Follow the Jubilee Way from Old Sodbury to the Severn Bridge on this delightful walk.
The path heads towards Thornbury before entering the Severn Vale and passing through Hay Wood. You then follow the Severn Estuary to the finish point at the landmark bridge.
The Cotswold Hills provide a splendid backdrop for much of the walk.
Limestone Link36 miles (58 km)Starting at Cold Ashton in St Catherine's Valley, Gloucestershire follow the Limestone Link from the Cotswolds to the Mendip Hills in Somerset.
The walk first heads south towards Batheaston where you join the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal for a lovely waterside stretch to Monkton Coombe. The scond section of the path takes you through the Mendip Hills AONB with fabulous views of the Chew Valley, the waterfall at Hallatrow and the final stretch through Burrington common the main highlights.
Macmillan Way290 miles (467 km)This long distance path links Boston in Lincolnshire to Abbotsbury in Dorset. It is promoted to raise money for the charity Macmillan Cancer Relief.
The route starts from Boston and then runs across the Fens to Bourne before joining the limestone belt. You then head to Stamford and then along the shoreline of Rutland Water to Oakham. The trail then heads south and west via Warmington to Stow-on-the-Wold, then into the Cotswolds via Cirencester and Tetbury to Bradford-on-Avon. After leaving the Cotswolds you follow the path through Somerset passing Castle Cary before entering Dorset and the final section to Abbotsbury via Sherborne.
The route joins with other popular trails including the Viking Way at Oakham, the Thames Path National Trail near Thames Head and with the South West Coast Path towards the end of the route.
The Macmillan Way is well waymarked with a green and white disc.
Monarch's Way615 miles (990 km)This incredible 615-mile walk approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.
The Monarch's Way starts at Worcester then travels north to Boscobel and then south to Stratford upon Avon. It then continues south through the Cotswolds to Stow on the Wold before turning south west towards Bristol via Cirencester. The route then heads south through the Mendip Hills to Wells and then on through Somerset towards Yeovil and then south west to Charmouth. You then follow the Dorset coast before turning north again to Yeovil, before heading east across the Downs to Brighton and then onto the finish point at Shoreham-by-Sea.
The walk also takes you through two World Heritage Sites, one National Park and six Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For those interested in the history of the walk there is ample opportunity to learn and discover more with a series of museums and historical sites dotted throughout the route.
The walk is waymarked with a picture of the ship The Surprise, the Prince of Wales crown and the Royal Oak tree at Boscobel House.
The route has been split into two separate gpx files. The first includes the section from Worcester to Bridport via the Midlands and Somerset. The second runs from Sandford Orcas to the finish point at Shoreham-By-Sea.
Monarch's Way GPS 1 (right click save as)
Monarch's Way GPS 2 (right click save as)
North Cotswold Diamond Way65 miles (105 km)This diamond shaped walk was created by the RA's North Cotswold Group to celebrate the 60th Jubilee in 1995. It takes you through a series of pretty Cotswold villages including Moreton-in-Marsh, Icombe, Turkdean, Bourton-on-the-Water, Naunton, Guiting Power and Chipping Campden.
Oxfordshire Way67 miles (108 km)Take a trip through Oxfordshire and enjoy rivers, canals, pretty villages and beautiful countryside on this lovely trail. The walk starts in Bourton-on-the-water in the Cotswolds and passes Shipton-under-Wychwood and Charlbury.
Stroud Valleys Trail6 miles (9 km)This route runs from Stonehouse to Nailsworth following a disused railway line. The route is traffic free with splendid views of the Cotswolds and makes for a pleasant afternoon's cycling or walking particularly for families. Click here for more information on this route.
The Ridgeway86 miles (139 km)Step back in time on this wonderful 85 mile route which follows an ancient chalk ridge route used by prehistoric man The trail starts at Overton Hill in Wiltshire on the edge of the Marlborough Downs and heads east through the Chiltern Hills to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire.
Highlights on this fascinating route include a series of iron age forts, the beautiful Chiltern Hills and a lovely stretch along the River Thames at Goring-on-Thames.
Warden's Way14 miles (22 km)Follow the Warden's Way through the beautiful Cotswolds on this delightful walk.
The walk starts in the picture postcard village of Bourton-on-the-water and passes through a series of picturesque villages including, Lower and Upper Slaughter, Naunton and Guiting Power before finishing at Winchcombe.
Highlights on the walk include a lovely wooded section through Guiting Wood near Guiting Power and the 10th century Sudeley Castle with its beautiful, award winning gardens and lovely chapel. This is located near the end of the route at Winchcombe.
Winchcombe Way42 miles (68 km)This super figure of eight trail takes you on a tour of the stunning northern area of the Cotswolds.
The walk begins at the pretty village of Winchcombe and heads to Dumbleton via Gretton and Alderton. At Dumbleton you turn south over Dumbleton Hill and through Alstone toward Cleeve Hill and Common. Cleeve Hill is the highest point both of the Cotswolds hill range and in the county of Gloucestershire, at 1083 ft. Here you will also find Belas Knap neolithic chambered long barrow. A scheduled ancient monument in the care of English Heritage, it has been described as an 'outstanding example representing a group of long barrows commonly referred to as the Cotswold-Severn group'.
Shortly after Belas Knap you return to Winchcombe where the next section of the walk takes to Temple Guiting, passing through Guiting Wood on the way.
The path continues to Snowshill where you can explore the delightful Snowshill Manor. Here you can view Charles Wade's collection of 'colour, craftsmanship and design' and enjoy the beautiful hillside gardens.
From Stanshill you continue through Buckland and Stanton before coming to another major route highlight at Stanway House. This splendid Jacobean manor house is right on the trail and open to the public. There are also beautiful gardens and a 300ft high fountain which is the tallest gravity fountain in the world.
The final section of the walk takes you back to Winchcombe, passing Didbrook and the National Trust owned Hailes Abbey with its 13th century ruins and excellent museum.
Windrush Way14 miles (22 km)This lovely walk through the Cotswolds runs from Bourton on the Water to Winchcombe. The path follows the River Windrush to Naunton and proceeds through Hawling and onto Winchcombe. Walk highlights are the riverside walking and the 10th century, Sudeley Castle with its beautiful, award winning gardens and lovely chapel.
Wychavon Way42 miles (67 km)Follow the Wychavon Way through the Worcestershire countryside on this 40 mile walk.
The walk begins at Holt Fleet, on the River Severn, with the opening section of the trail running to Droitwch Spa. You will enjoy a waterside stroll along the River Severn and pass through the village of Ombersley before arriving at Droitwich Spa where you cross the River Salwarpe.
From Droitwich, the walk continues through the countryside towards the village of Fladbury. This section includes a short stroll along the Worcester Birmingham Canal and woodland walks through Grafton and Old Yew Hill Woods.
The final section of the walk runs from Fladbury to Winchcombe and includes a waterside walk along the River Avon and visits to the villages of Ashton under Hill and Cropthorne whose church dates back to the 12th century. You will also enjoy splendid views of the Malvern Hills as you pass through the Cotswolds and finish at the historic town of Winchcombe.


 Cotswolds Information
Where is the CotswoldsMajor towns and cities in the Cotswolds with an interactive Cotswolds map with attractions and points of interest.





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