A guidebook to walking the Cotswold Way National Trail between Chipping Camden and Bath. Covering 163km (102 miles) across the Cotswolds National Landscape this straightforward hike takes 2 weeks to walk.

The route is presented in 14 stages ranging from 7–17km (4–11 miles) in length. The route is described north to south and an abbreviated route description is also given for those walking the route south to north.

• Contains step-by-step description of the route alongside 1:100,000 OS maps reproduced at 1:75,000 for better clarity
• Includes a separate map booklet containing OS 1:25,000 mapping and route line
• GPX files available to download 
• The book features a facilities planner that highlights information about facilities and public transport along the route
• Full accommodation listings are included

Overview map

Route summary table

Alternate schedule planner

Transport map

Map key

Stage facilities planner

Introduction

The Cotswold Way

Outline of the route

Trail background

Planning your trip

When to go

Which direction?

Accommodation

Stage planning

Suggested schedules

Guided and self-guided holidays and baggage transfer

Transport to and around the Cotswolds

Equipment and other practicalities

On the trail

Using this guide

Waymarking on the route

Health, safety and emergencies

The Country Code

About the Cotswolds

Geology

Nature and wildlife

The early occupation of the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds since the Romans

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

Appendix A Useful contacts

Appendix B Accommodation along the route

Appendix C Further reading

Seasons

Can be walked all year round: accommodation is scarce during Cheltenham Festival (March) and Badminton Horse Trials (late April/May)

Centres

Chipping Campden, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Bath

Difficulty

The Cotswold Way is a waymarked lowland walk suitable for all abilities: suggested day sections are in the region of 6-10 miles (10-16km)

Must See

Hailes Abbey, Belas Knap, Crickley Hill, Haresfield Beacon, Sudley Castle, Broadway, views of Kelston Round Hill, roman baths (Bath)

July 2024

Valley Views B&B

June 2024

Food and accommodation updates

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.