The Cotswold Ring is a unique village-to-village walking tour which has been created by Cotswolds Walking Holidays. The „Ring” offers a week’s walking in one of the most scenic areas of England. The walk follows a circular route of just over 55 miles, taking you into the heart of the romantic Cotswolds.
Tour begins in the beautiful spa town of Cheltenham and pass through the most beautiful Cotswold villages - Winchcombe, Broadway, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water - before returning to Cheltenham. Average walking distance each day of 9 miles. The route can be adapted to your time scale. Varied accommodation according to your preferences. Cheltenham is easy to reach by train or bus.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - The first night is spent in the Regency town of Cheltenham;
Day 2 - Cheltenham to Winchcombe (13kms/8 miles) Starting from the classical Pittville Pump Room, the route crosses Cleeve Hill - the highest point of the Cotswolds - to Belas Knap long barrow and descends by Sudeley Castle to the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe;
Day 3 - Winchcombe to Broadway (17kms/10.5 miles) Follow the pilgrims' route to Hailes Abbey, then over the hills to Jacobean Stanway House and on to idyllic Stanton. Stay in the coaching village of Broadway where fine houses and inns flank the "broad way";
Day 4 - Broadway to Chipping Campden (7kms/4 miles) A half day's walking over the hills via brooding Broadway Tower to Chipping Campden. In the afternoon, explore this charming town with its silversmiths and 'wool church', or visit Dover's Hill, site of the annual 'Cotswold Olympiks', or the beautiful National Trust gardens at Hidcote Manor. Alternatively, visit nearby Stratford-on-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare;
Day 5 - Chipping Campden to Moreton-in-Marsh (13kms/8 miles) Through Broad Campden to charming Blockley and Batsford, famed for its arboretum. Then to the market town of Moreton, straddling the old Roman road, the Fosse Way;
Day 6 - Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water (19kms/12 miles). After crossing the high wolds to Stow-on-the-Wold, complete with village stocks and picturesque square, the Cotswold Ring then passes through Lower Slaughter to Bourton-on-the-Water with its many attractions;
Day 7 - Bourton-on-the-Water to Cheltenham (22kms/14 miles) The Ring follows the pretty River Windrush and on through the lovely villages of Naunton and Guiting Power. Finally, a dramatic descent from the high wolds through the meadows of the Cotswold escarpment to journey's end at the village of Prestbury for overnight accommodation in Cheltenham.
Remember - many of our walks can be shortened by using either taxis or public transport. We can also adapt these routes to suit the time you have available and your walking capabilities.
We provide accommodation in the style of your choice, as well as maps and detailed route notes, luggage transportation and local expertise.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price based on 7 nights in B & B with private bathroom.
Also see tour packages in:
Hiking & Trekking
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