Circular Walk Around Bourton on the Water

Enjoy a walk through this lovely village known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. The High Street is particularly picturesque with the River Windrush running through it with several pretty little stone bridges crossing.... This walk makes use of the North Cotswold Diamond Way and the Oxfordshire Way to take you through the countryside to the nearby fishing lakes. You could also extend your walk by following the Windrush Way west along the river.
Walk Report August 19th 2026 by Brian Deacon:
The Cotswolds completely put on a show for us, greeting us with a nice, clear day when we set out from the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water. The early morning sun was hitting the honey-coloured stone cottages just right, and the shallow waters of the River Windrush looked perfectly clear as we crossed the low stone bridges to start our trek. Leaving the busy High Street behind, we picked up the Windrush Way and the Oxfordshire Way, heading east out of the village. This initial stretch offered incredibly gentle underfoot conditions, tracking along quiet paths that lead you away from the bustling tourist center and out into the tranquil countryside surrounding the local fishing lakes. The trail loops back beautifully toward the southern edge of the village, hugging the water. The wildlife along this 3-mile circuit was a spectacular surprise. While tracking the quiet banks of the fishing lakes and the river, we were absolutely thrilled to spot a patient grey heron stalking the shallows, alongside a striking great crested grebe diving effortlessly in the open water. But the absolute highlight came as the loop brought us right alongside the perimeter of Birdland. We had a brilliant view of the grounds and were completely delighted to spot a flock of vibrant flamingos wading in the water, followed by a close-up look at the massive fish breaking the surface in the salmon ponds just further down the path. The final leg brought us right back into the heart of the village past the iconic Model Village. We finished the easy 3.1-mile loop by grabbing an outdoor table at a local riverside cafe, resting our legs while watching the ducks splash about under the low stone bridges. It is the quintessential, stress-free Bourton walk.
To extend your walking from the village try our Circular Walk from Bourton through Naunton and The Slaughters. It will take you to the village of Naunton along the river before heading to The Slaughters where there's lovely paths along the River Eye to enjoy.
Postcode: GL54 2BN
Pubs and More Info
The Mousetrap Inn is a good choice for some post walk refreshments. The pub does excellent food and also has its own art gallery with landscape paintings in oil by local artist Silvi Schaumloeffel. There's a cosy, attractive interior with a log fire while outside there's a garden area for warmer days. You can find the inn at Lansdowne with a postcode of GL54 2AR for your sat navs.
Bourton is a real tourist honeypot so there's plenty of other activities you can try. If you're a car enthusiast then the Cotswold Motoring Museum is a must see. There's vintage cars, old caravans, fine looking motorcycles and classic old motoring signs to see here. It's housed in the Old Mill on Sherborne Street with a postcode of GL54 2BY for your sat navs.
If you'd like to continue your exercise in the outdoors then Birdland is a great option. There's nice footpaths to follow to woodland, river and gardens where you can look out for hundreds of birds including swans, King Penguins, pelicans, flamingos, hornbills, cranes, storks, cassowar and owls.
The Rissington Round is a nice circular walk which also passes the village. It visits the series of lakes at the nearby Cotswolds Carp Farm before heading to the picturesque villages of Little Rissington and Great Rissington.
The Windrush Way Circular Walk starts and finishes in the village. It uses several of the waymarked footpaths running through the area to visit a number of neighbouring villages.
The Donnington Way - Cotswolds Pub Walk passes through the village. The long circular walk visits 15 fine old Donnington Brewery pubs in the Cotswolds.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cotswolds Walks page.

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Nearby Routes

North Cotswold Diamond Way Oxfordshire Way Windrush Way Circular Walk from Bourton through Naunton and The Slaughters The Slaughters Walk from Bourton on the Water to Lower Slaughter Stow on the Wold to Bourton on the Water Walk Rissington Round Windrush Way Circular Walk Moreton-in-Marsh Circular Walk

Photos

The mill and old stone footbridge over the River Windrush.

Taken on one of the four footbridges across the river.

Looking south-east to the most downstream of the bridges in the village.

War Memorial, Bourton-on-the-Water

Lake at Bourton on the Water. Bench and lake at Bourton on the Water near Cotswold Carp Farm

Converted Mill House. This private house has the garden on an island to the left with the main dwelling on the right. Looks like the river Windrush flows underneath the lounge!

The Motor Museum. This popular Gloucestershire village on the shallow River Windrush attracts hordes of day trippers from the West Midlands conurbation on a fine day. The museum itself is built in typical Cotswold stone.

Restaurant alongside the river, Bourton on the Water

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