The Cotswold Ring Walk

A seven-night circular walking tour of the Cotswolds. This walking tour is a village to village walking tour following a circular route of just over 55 miles/88 kms., taking you into the heart of the romantic Cotswolds, you travel through beautiful, undulating countryside whilst staying in the most picturesque villages along the way.

Price:  From £810.00 per person based on 2 people sharing in  B & B accommodation with private bathrooms.

Upgrade to luxury B&B in Cheltenham for first and last night £8400.00 per person.

From £950.00 per person staying in upgraded accommodation – we will liaise with you regarding the options.

Single room supplement on request.

Included: 7 nights  accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, luggage transportation,  route notes and OS maps,  back-up service.

Not Included: Lunches, dinners, drinks, insurance, anything not mentioned in programme 

Departure dates: Any day April-October subject to accommodation availability

Day 1: The first night is spent in the Regency town of Cheltenham.

Day 2: Cheltenham to Winchcombe – 8 miles/13 kms. Starting from the classical Pump Room, the route crosses Cleeve Hill – the highest point in the Cotswolds – to Belas Knap long barrow and descends to Sudeley Castle and the ancient Saxon capital of Winchcombe, with its fine wool church.

Day 3: Winchcombe to Broadway – 10.5 miles/17 kms. Follow the pilgrims’ route to Hailes Abbey, then over the hills to Jacobean Stanway House and on to idyllic Stanton, before reaching the old coaching village of Broadway for overnight.

Day 4: Broadway to Chipping Campden – 4.5 miles/7 kms. A half day’s walking over the hills via Broadway Tower with its magnificent views 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 gardens at Kiftsgate or the National Trust gardens at Hidcote; or spend the afternoon at nearby Stratford-on-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Day 5: Chipping Campden to Moreton-on-Marsh – 8 mi/13 kms. Through neighboring Broad Campden to charming Blockley and Batsford, famed for its arboretum and falconry centre. Then to the market town of Moreton-on-Marsh, straddling the old Roman road, the Fosse Way.

Day 6: Moreton-on-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water – 12 miles/19 kms. 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, prettily located on the River Windrush, with its many attractions.

Day 7: Bourton-on-the-Water to Cheltenham (Prestbury) – 15 miles/24 kms. The Ring follows the pretty Windrush 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 Pretsbury, on the outskirts of Cheltenham.

Day 8: Departure after breakfast.

Practical Information:

ACCOMMODATION:

A selection of carefully chosen B&B's or Inns – all rooms with private bathrooms. Upgrades are possible and it is possible to mix and match the accommodation if you wish – please ask us.

TAILORING YOUR WALK

This holiday can be undertaken in fewer nights if you choose to walk from Bradford-on- Avon to Castle Combe (staying in Castle Combe overnight) and then return directly to Bath.

Contact us at info@britishandirishwalks.com or Tel: (44) (0)1242 254353

WHAT TO TAKE

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit

WHEN TO GO

Mid-April to mid-September. Accommodation will be difficult to obtain on UK national holidays unless booked well in advance (and may require an alteration to the programme).

GETTING THERE:

The nearest airports are London (Heathrow), Birmingham and Bristol.

Rail: Cheltenham is served by frequent trains, with a direct line to London (Paddington), Birmingham and also Bristol.

INCLUDED:

7 nights B&B with private bathrooms, luggage transportation each walking day, route notes and maps, local back-up.

NOT INCLUDED:

Lunches, dinners, drinks, insurance, anything not mentioned in programme.

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.