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Guided Inn to Inn Walks
Chipping Campden To Bath:
8 nights accom. and 7 days guided walking £719.00
The Cotswold Way is a gentle introduction to a long distance path. The rolling hills are criss-crossed with drystone walls and the walk is teeming with the rich history and scenery of quintessential England. The beautiful unspoilt villages and majestic cities of Cheltenham and Bath leave walkers with amazing memories.
Our guided inn to inn walk includes expertly chosen quality accommodation, baggage transfer and an experienced walk-leader with local knowledge of the route.
Guided Walk: The Cotswold Way - Detailed Itinerary
Chipping Campden To Winchcombe 17.5 Miles/28 km
Spend your first nights accommodation in Chipping Camden, a famously quaint village featuring all the finest attributes of the Cotswolds, from beautiful honey-coloured stone buildings to atmospheric narrow streets and pleasant farmland views. This is a fitting introduction to the beautiful Cotswold Way that lies ahead. Walking out of the village we head for Dover's Hill and then Mile Drive, a narrow channel of grass that leads you to the elegant Broadway Tower dating from 1798. Dropping down we reach the touristy town of Broadway. This beautiful village is well complemented by Cotswold stone and thatched roofs. The 12th century St. Eadburgh's Church, part of the old monastery, is well worth viewing half a mile from the village. The trail now undulates over pretty Cotswold farmland skirting the atmospheric remains of Stanway House and into the attractive village of Stanton. The route climbs past the Iron Age remains at Beckbury Camp through farmland past Hailes Abbey ruins and into Winchcombe, our nights accommodation. Charming and compact, Winchcombe is blessed with medieval abbey ruins and attractive Sudeley Castle, home of Henry VIII's sixth wife, Catherine Parr.
Winchcombe To Cheltenham 12.5miles/20km
Leaving Winchcombe past the historic castle, the route climbs steadily past the mysterious remains of a Roman Villa, through fragrant woodland until reaching the Neolithic ancient burial mound of Belas Knap. We now enter the Cotswold hills with enjoyable English countryside views to savour as the trail meanders past the Iron Age remains of The Ring and later, the remains of an Iron Age hillfort. The walk comfortably leads to Bill Smiley's Reserve, where butterflies flutter through the fields and through Dowdeswell Wood to gently ascend into well-heeled and elegant Regency Cheltenham and our nights accommodation.
Cheltenham To Painswick 19 miles/31 km
Leaving handsome Cheltenham, the trail climbs up to Leckhampton Hill and rewards with glorious views back towards the city and onwards to the distant Brecon Beacons in Wales. There is some lovely rolling scenery to enjoy as the trail skirts the ancient Shurdington Long Barrow, then past Crickley Hill Country Park and into the village of Birdlip. From Birdlip the trail meanders through Cotswold woodland until we reach Cooper's Hill. This is the site of the famous and unique annual cheese-rolling challenge which takes place at Easter and has been endangering those taking part to the amusement of bystanders since medieval times. The trail continues through more woodland passing Prinknash Abbey and the Painswick Beacon into the village of pretty Painswick, our nights accommodation. This is a perfect Cotswold village with narrow streets and honey-coloured stone buildings that are synonymous with the Cotswolds.
Painswick To Uley 13 miles/21 km
The trail ambles through the village past the striking St Mary's Church and back into Cotswold countryside once more. The gentle farmland and woodland walking is enjoyable and is complemented by the excellent scenery as the route climbs up to Haresfield Beacon. From here there are quite spectacular views that map out the Severn Valley below. The trail steadily descends into beautiful National Trust woodland, through pretty pastureland and into the scenic Uley Valley, towards our nights accommodation in Uley village.
Uley To Wotton-Under-Edge 10.5 miles/17km
The views of today's route are outstanding, coupled with excellent walking and a few gentle hills results in a most enjoyable day. The path descends from Uley to Uley Bury Hillfort before rising steeply to Cam Long Down which rewards with glorious views across the Severn Valley to Wales. The trail rolls into the village of Dursley passing St James' Church, before leaving by way of Stinchcombe Hill. The trail undulates through beautiful Cotswold scenery past North Nibley up to the Tyndale Monument marking William Tyndale's work to translate the bible. The walk continues through a lovely wood to the panoramic views past Blackberry Hillfort revealing a satisfying and exhilarating vista of this green and pleasant land. The trail continues to Wotton Hill and a circle of trees that were planted to commemorate the Battle Of Waterloo and down into Wotton-Under-Edge and our nights accommodation.
Wotton–Under–Edge To Tormarton 13.5 miles/22km
From Wotton-Under-Edge pass a pretty stream and climb up through Foxholes Wood. After enjoying the birdsong the trail leaves the honeycombed world of the Cotswolds and enters Gloucestershire. The trail passes the historic Somerset Monument, a tower that commemorates The Battle of Waterloo hero General Lord Somerset and down into the village of peaceful Horton. The walk passes pretty Horton Reservoir and into Gloucestershire pastureland. Walking into Little Sodbury we pass the manor house of William Tyndale who translated the Bible into English in 1526 provoking the anger and vengeance of King Henry VIII. The trail now leads past the area of an Iron Age hillfort down a steep path, over a series of stiles and into Old Sodbury. From here the trail crosses pastureland into Tormarton which is within an area of outstanding natural beauty with the spectacular Cotswold Uplands in the background and is our nights accommodation.
Tormarton To Bath 16 miles/26 km
Leaving the pretty setting of Tormarton with it's Norman church, we resume the trail through pretty pastureland and woodland , before reaching Dyrham Village that hugs the walls of the church and mansion walls of Dyrham Park, managed by the National Trust. The walk now continues past the village of Cold Ashton passing a number of Iron Age Hillforts and into the countryside revealing tantalising glimpses of majestic Bath. There is some more enjoyable walking through fields and farmland until we reach The Granville Monument dating from 1643 which commemorates the Civil War battle on this site. The fantastic finale of this classic British walk draws nearer as the trail descends Penn Hill giving excellent views of Bath and the River Avon. Suddenly, this beautiful Georgian city is upon us as we descend through Royal Victoria Park and past the magnificent Royal Crescent and Bath Circus before reaching the end of The Cotswold Way at striking Bath Abbey. Bath is truly one of the world's greatest cities and oozes charm and history with it's stunning Georgian architecture. Why not treat yourself to a luxurious dip in Bath Spa that taps into the only naturally hot springs in Britain or take a look at the famous Roman Baths - a perfect location to reflect on your achievement.
Please be aware that slight variations to these itineraries may have to be made due to availability of accommodation.
£20 pppn for Single Occupancy rooms
Dates Of Departure For Guided Walking Holidays
Please contact us for group guided bookings for 2011 by filling out the booking form quoting the date required.
Please email for an extra nights accommodation in Stratford upon Avon or Bath at the start and end of your holiday if desired.
£20 pppn for Single Occupancy rooms |
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