Self-Guided Complete Trail in the Cotswolds

NORTH TRAIL

  
101 miles with 7-12½ miles and up to 1,600 feet of ascent in a day.

Day 1: Arrival day

Day 2: Chipping Campden to Stanton - Today's walk offers panoramic views, passing Broadway Tower, and the pretty village of Broadway. Explore before continuing to the equally charming village of Stanton. 10 miles, with 1,310 feet of ascent

Day 3: Stanton to Winchcombe - Return to Stanton to continue your walk. This part of the Cotswold Way takes you past Stanway House, famous for its late-renaissance architecture. Stop and explore the historic ruins of Hailes Abbey en route, before continuing to Winchcombe, where you can visit the impressive Norman fortress of Sudeley Castle. 8 miles, with 670 feet of ascent

Day 4: Winchcombe to Dowdeswell Reservoir - The trail continues through pretty countryside to the 4,000-year-old burial mound of Belas Knap Long Barrow. Enjoy the pleasant scenery and walk to Dowdeswell Reservoir. 12½ miles, with 1,430 feet of ascent

Day 5: Dowdeswell Reservoir to Birdlip - From Dowdeswell Reservoir continue past the Devil’s Chimney, admiring distant views of Gloucester. Relax, with a break at the Air Balloon pub, before completing today’s walk to Birdlip. 9½ miles, with 1,300 feet of ascent

Day 6: Birdlip to Painswick - Entering Wincombe Wood, pass the remains of a Roman Villa and carry on to Cooper’s Hill. Stop and enjoy the view before continuing towards Prinknash Abbey and Bird Park, and the idyllic village of Painswick. 7 miles, with 986 feet of ascent

Day 7: Painswick to Uley Bury - Begin today with a walk through the woods, and distant views of Gloucester Cathedral. Pass Stanley Woollen Mills, a reminder of the Cotswolds’ wool making history, before reaching the remains of the Iron Age fort at Uley Bury. 12 miles, with 1,600 feet of ascent

Day 8: Uley Bury to Wotton-under-Edge - A few steep ascents and descents are rewarded by panoramic views. Walking through the village of Dursley, past the memorial built to honour the martyr William Tyndale, our walk finishes in the pretty village of Wotton-under-Edge. 9½ miles, with 1,400 feet of ascent

Day 9: Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury - Today’s walk passes interesting Cotswold houses such as Horton Court, thought to be the oldest house along the trail. Continue along the Cotswold Way to another hill fort, before arriving at Old Sodbury. 12 miles, with 1,330 feet of ascent

Day 10: Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton - Walk through Doddington Park and on to Tormarton, where you can take a well-earned break in the traditional tea-room. Pass the impressive house and grounds of Dyrham Park, before ending the day in Cold Ashton. 10½ miles, with 600 feet of ascent

Day 11: Cold Ashton to Bath - The last section of the Cotswold Way takes in some fantastic views and takes you over an English Civil War battleground. Your arrival in the stunning city of Bath marks the end of the Cotswold Way. Take a stroll around what has to be one of the most beautiful cities in Britain, and toast your success upon completing the trail. 10 miles, with 470 feet of ascent

Day 12: Departure day