Photo: The author is Newton2 (cropped by Yummifruitbat) (CC BY 2.5), via Wikimedia Commons
Walking the Cotswold Way
The Cotswold Way runs just over a hundred miles along the limestone escarpment from Chipping Campden to Bath — village to golden village, viewpoint to viewpoint, with a pub never far away. It's Britain's gentlest great walk, and the one where the accommodation is half the pleasure.
The stages below are the classic bases; each lists places to stay nearby, and baggage-transfer services cover the whole route if you'd rather walk with a daysack.
The route
Cotswold Way
🥾 Before you set out
Trail conditions, diversions and closures change — check the official trail site before you travel, carry a paper map for the remote sections, and book baggage transfer with your beds if you'd rather walk light.
Stage by stage
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1
Chipping Campden
The perfect Cotswold town to set out from — wool-church, market hall, deep golden stone.
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2
Broadway
Broadway Tower on its beacon hill is the first great viewpoint.
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3
Winchcombe
Sudeley Castle and a town that made walking its trade.
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4
Cheltenham (Leckhampton)
The escarpment edge above the Regency town — Devil's Chimney and racecourse views.
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5
Painswick
The "Queen of the Cotswolds", 99 yew trees in the churchyard.
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6
Stroud
The working-wool valleys — steeper and wilder than the postcard Cotswolds.
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7
Wotton-under-Edge
Quiet escarpment miles past the Tyndale Monument.
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8
Bath
Finish at the Abbey doors — spa waters for the feet, a World Heritage city for the rest.
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Community notes
Tips, conditions, and the things only someone who's been can tell you.
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Good to know
- How long does the Cotswold Way take?
- Around 7–10 days for the full 102 miles — the stages on this page break it into real walking days, and every one works as a section walk too.
- Should I book accommodation ahead?
- Yes — beds along the popular trails go months ahead for summer. Each stage lists places to stay nearby so you can book the whole walk before you lace up.
- Can I get my bags carried?
- Baggage-transfer services operate on all the major trails, moving your bag between overnight stops so you walk with a daysack. Book it alongside your beds.
- Do I book through this site?
- No — every listing links straight to the holiday operator and you book with them at their live price. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.