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The Cotswold Way
NATIONAL TRAIL Two-way trail guide - Chipping Campden to Bath
The Cotswold Way
NATIONAL TRAIL Two-way trail guide - Chipping Campden to Bath
Guidebook to walking the Cotswold Way National Trail. Between Chipping Campden and Bath, the 102 mile route explores the Cotswolds AONB. Described in both directions over 14 stages, the Cotswold Way can be walked year round and is suitable for beginner trekkers. Includes separate OS 1:25,000 map booklet of the route.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 - Quick Facts
Location: South-West/Western England – Chipping Campden to Bath National Trail
Distance: ~163 km / ~102 miles
Typical duration: ~2 weeks
Start: Chipping Campden
End: Bath
Route format: Linear long-distance National Trail walk
Stages: 14 manageable stages (~7–17 km / ~4–11 miles each)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – waymarked lowland countryside suitable for most walkers
Best season: All year round (local event periods may affect accommodation)
Author Highlight
“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.”
- Jonathan Williams, author of The Cotswold Way
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781786312105
Availability
Published
Reprinted
7 May 2026
Published
28 Feb 2024
Edition
Fifth
Pages
144
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x .90cm
Weight
230g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
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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)
May 2026
Crickley Hill roadworks
The current 2026 printing of the Cotswold Way flags up the substantial roadworks just below Crickley Hill at what used to be the ’Air Balloon’ roundabout, named after the very fine pub of the same name. This has sadly been destroyed in the roadworks. Earlier versions of this edition also mention the roadworks and likelihood of diversions, without being explicit as plans were not known when written.
For the next six months, likely through to the end of 2026 but perhaps longer, there is a major diversion. This starts just after the National Star College and follows the rather fast B-road east of Crickley Hill before making an intricate route around and through the vast roadworks. Please see the attached file showing the diversion, the actual closure seem to be only about 150 metres, needing a 2-3km work around.
This diversion very obviously omits Crickley Hill, one of the highlights of the trail. If you do take in Crickley Hill, it will be necessary to backtrack past the Country Park and site of the Roman villa before descending to join this diversion at Shortwood Flat.
Take care – at times these works have seemed to be of epic scale, with vast traffic jams.
Cotswold Way Order Plan 1 (361.374 KB)
July 2024
Valley Views B&B
The Valley Views B&B in Middleyard, Kings Stanley, near Stroud, has closed.
June 2024
Food and accommodation updates
The Seven Springs Pub at Seven Springs has closed. This is between Dowdeswell and Birdlip on Stage 6, 1hr 20min from Dowdeswell. There was no accommodation and now there are no refreshments. If it reopens, please let Cicerone know.
The White Star Inn and Hotel at Whiteshill (Stage 7) has been recommended Tel 01453 765321. It’s a couple of km off route in the Randwick/Stroud section near the end of the stage.
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