Highlights

  • Stroll through farms and fields over gently rolling hills
  • Chipping Camden, Stow, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Royal Cheltenham
  • Magnificent Hidcote Manor Gardens, Sudeley Castle, Hailes Abbey ruins
  • Honey-hued stone villages and farms; country lanes, rural landscapes

Golden limestone and thatched cottages form the backdrop to this gentle journey through one of England's prettiest regions. Walking historic footpaths, Roman roads and winding lanes through sleepy villages, we discover the world-class gardens of Hidcote Manor, designed by Lawrence Johnson, and walk through the woods of Batsford House associated with the notorious Mitford sisters.

We eat hearty pub lunches with local ale and learn about the art of free-flying falconry and enjoy a final evening in the regency spa town, Cheltenham.

Sunday Overnight: Cotswold House Hotel

Meet in Moreton-in-Marsh, and transfer to Chipping Campden, a charming Cotswolds town, for our Welcome Dinner.

Monday Overnight: Cotswold House Hotel

Meander through the quintessentially Cotswold villages of Broad Campden and Blockley to arrive at Lord Dulverton's Batsford House, once home to the infamous Mitford sisters. Visit the Birds of Prey Centre where we watch owls, falcons and eagles being flown. After lunch, we continue walking through the lush countryside to our hotel.

Tuesday Overnight: The Porch Hotel

Today's destination is the famous Hidcote Manor Gardens, created by the American Lawrence Johnson almost 100 years ago. Here at the gardens, generally recognized as one of the world's greatest, we can stroll through the 19 'outdoor rooms'. A local TV and radio garden expert will meet us to answer any gardening questions. Afterwards, we'll continue with an afternoon walk to our next hotel.

Wednesday Overnight: The Porch Hotel

Have your camera ready for today's walk to the beautiful villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. Despite their names, they are picture-postcard perfect, and well worth exploring. After a pub lunch, we'll continue across the gentle hills (wolds), punctuated with dry-stone walls enclosing the pastures.

Thursday Overnight: Ellenborough Park

Leave Stow for Fish Hill, then walk to Broadway Tower with far reaching views over the Vale of Evesham and Broadway, a lively market town. After walking through Broadway, our path winds through a series of beautiful Cotswold stone villages, ending in Stanway, with its lovely manor house.

Friday Overnight: Ellenborough Park

Begin the day walking up Cleeve Hill to visit the ancient Celtic burial mound Belas Knap. We'll continue by foot to the picturesque town of Winchcombe for lunch and a visit to Sudeley Castle, where Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII's wives is buried.  It's a lovely walk from the castle to the historic ruins of Hailes Abbey, where we learn about Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries.  Return to Ellenborough Park Hotel for our Farewell Dinner.

Saturday

After breakfast, The Wayfarers provide transportation to Cheltenham for onward connections. Or stay on to explore this pretty Regency town.
Easy-Moderate
If you want something more vigorous, more oriented toward history, you might try the Coast-to-Coast walk up in the north. (It's rated a 5 and you should take that seriously.) But if you're looking for a pleasant walk at an easy-going pace, through beautiful country, then I cannot recommend The Cotswolds Walk too highly.' CG
Stroll through countryside, gardens, pretty villages and historic footpaths with rights-of-way over meadows and fields. 9-11 miles walking per day.

TRIP DETAILS

6 nights from
$4,995.00
per person, double occupancy
(Single Supplement $865.00)
Our Wayfarers friends' Price is $4,745.00

Dates

From May 19 to May 25 (more dates)
Request booking
Arrival: Moreton-in-the-Marsh Rail Station
Departure: Cheltenham
The Cotswolds Map

Hotels - Where we stay

Cotswold House Hotel

Cotswold House Hotel

This 19th-century former wool merchant's house has been transformed into one of the Cotswolds' finest small hotels. Retaining the elegance and character of this Regency townhouse, the luxuriously appointed bedrooms have everything you would hope to find including ensuite bathroom with bath or power shower, hairdryer, satellite TV and DVD entertainment system, direct dial phone, complimentary broadband access, tea & fresh coffee-making facilities and minibar. Wi-fi internet access is only available in the reception area.The walled garden is both a delight to wander and is a supplier of fresh produce to the highly-regarded restaurant. In the Temple Spa, guests are invited to dip into the hydrotherapy pool, relax in the hammam room, indulge in a massage, facial, pedicure or select from a menu of holistic treatments using high quality products from the nationally renowned Temple Spa range. Please note you have to walk outside to reach the Spa as it is located in a converted coach house in the rear garden.

The Porch House

The Porch House

Located right in the centre of Stow, The Porch House is thought to be the oldest inn in England, with parts of the building dating back to 947 AD. This luxury inn was given a very expensive makeover in 2013. There are still chunky timber beams, cozy nooks and crannies and huge 16th century stone fireplaces throughout, modernization and renovations give the inn a contemporary feel. The comfortable and stylish rooms in its English Heritage listed building come with free WiFi, Nespresso coffee machine, hair dryer and handmade toiletries.
The Sheep on Sheep Street

The Sheep on Sheep Street

Set in the historic market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, amid the warm honey coloured Cotswold stone buildings and rolling countryside, this beautiful 17th Century hotel has been justly renowned for its warm hospitality and fine dining. Having recently undergone extensive refurbishment, The Sheep on Sheep Street revealed its new, sophisticated look, along with its new name in July 2016. All the bedrooms are decorated with stylish simplicity to a high standard and feature an ensuite bathroom with rainfall shower, TV, phone, hair dryer, free WiFi internet access and coffee/team-making facilities. The ground floor of the Sheep now has a more open-plan design giving an airy, contemporary feel and plenty of dining space.

Ellenborough Park

Ellenborough Park

Ellenborough Park is an indulgent 15th-century country estate, turned 21st-century luxury hotel retreat. An unforgettable hotel in Cheltenham. Steeped in history, this Cotswolds manor house is set in 90-acres of bucolic countryside; a luxury house and grounds, where the friendly team combine charm and bespoke service, creating truly memorable experiences. Each room features bespoke Hypnos beds and underfloor heating. Amenities include a spa, Jacuzzi pool, sauna, steam room and outdoor heated pool (in season). The restaurant features locally sourced produce, and was recognized by Wine Spectator magazine for its wine selection, receiving it's "Best of" Award in 2017.

Start planning your trip

What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation

  • Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
  • A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
  • Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
  • Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
  • Demonstrations, beer tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
  • All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
  • Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
  • First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
  • All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
  • Wine with dinner
  • On-trail snacks and refreshments
  • A Wayfarers' water bottle and luggage tags
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants