Discover the rolling hills, limestone villages and sweeping
escarpment views of the Cotswold Way National Trail, one of England’s
most scenic and enjoyable long-distance walks. Stretching for 163 km
(102 miles) from the market town of Chipping Campden to the World
Heritage city of Bath, the route follows the western edge of the
Cotswolds National Landscape, combining peaceful countryside with
historic towns and villages.
This classic two-week walk
is ideal for those new to long-distance walking as well as more
experienced hikers looking for a well-waymarked and rewarding trail.
Along the way, you will pass highlights such as Broadway Tower,
Winchcombe, Painswick Valley and the dramatic descent into Bath, with
far-reaching views across the Severn Vale and rich pastoral landscapes
throughout.
The guidebook divides the route into 14 manageable
stages, with clear descriptions walking north to south and an
abbreviated set of directions for those walking south to north. A
separate, pocket-sized map booklet with detailed 1:25,000 Ordnance
Survey maps provides reliable navigation at every stage of the journey.
- 14 stage-by-stage route descriptions covering the full Cotswold Way
- Clear, step-by-step directions supported by detailed maps and downloadable GPX files for the route from Chipping Campden to Bath
- Each
stage includes distance, estimated walking time, ascent and descent,
and an overview of the terrain of the Cotswold National Landscape
- Separate pocket-sized map booklet with 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps for accurate navigation for the entire National Trail
- Handy facilities planner highlighting services, refreshments, and public transport along the route
- Full
accommodation listings to help you plan overnight stops in villages and
towns, including in key centres like Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud
Plan
your Cotswold Way adventure with confidence and enjoy one of England’s
most characterful National Trails with this definitive guidebook and map
set.
The Cotswold Way
Stage 1 Chipping Campden to Broadway
Stage 2 Broadway to Stanton
Stage 3 Stanton to Winchcombe
Stage 4 Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill
Stage 5 Cleeve Hill to Dowdeswell
Stage 6 Dowdeswell to Birdlip
Stage 7 Birdlip to Painswick
Stage 8 Painswick to Middleyard (King’s Stanley)
Stage 9 Middleyard (King’s Stanley) to Dursley
Stage 10 Dursley to Wotton-under-Edge
Stage 11 Wotton-under-Edge to Hawkesbury Upton
Stage 12 Hawkesbury Upton to Tormarton
Stage 13 Tormarton to Cold Ashton
Stage 14 Cold Ashton to Bath
Jonathan Williams, author of The Cotswold Way
“Man has lived in close harmony with the landscape of the Cotswolds
for thousands of years. We were fascinated by how life must have been
for Neolithic man as we visited Belas Knap, and we wondered in some awe
at the scale of the earthworks surrounding the many Iron Age hill forts.
We enjoyed deciding which villages and towns felt like living museums,
and which felt more vibrant and comfortable with themselves. The
friendly and helpful locals were always ready to offer advice and
suggestions, and we enjoyed many cakes and mugs of tea along the way…
Would we walk it again next week, or next year? Yes, definitely. It’s a
trail that lures you back with its treasures and variety.”