4 Night Cotswolds Guided Walking Holiday

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)

Ascent: 270 feet (80m)

In summary: Crossing Salmonsbury camp we leave the Windrush valley and head up the first of two Rissington villages, Wyck Rissington and then on to Little Rissington with its memorial to the RAF before dropping back down into the valley and back to the house.

Highlight: The moving testament to the memory of RAF serviceman who lost lives in World War II in Little Rissington church. 

Distance: 9½ miles (15km)

Ascent: 500 feet (150m)

In summary: Leaving the valley we explore three of the Rissington villages, Wyck Rissington, Little Rissington (and the RAF memorial) and Great Rissington before returning to the house via the Quarry Lakes of the Windrush Valley.

Highlight: Beautiful Cotswold villages full of character and great views across the Cotswold countryside.

Distance: 10½ miles (17km)

Ascent: 1,000 feet (300m)

In summary: We head north via Greystones nature reserve, taking attractive field paths and tracks to follow the Oxfordshire Way. This takes us to the market town of Stow on the Wold with its 17th and 18th century buildings built around the bustling market square. We leave Stow with views across the Wolds and cross farmland paths to idyllic Lower Slaughter with its fine old houses and cottages sitting beside the picturesque Rive Eye and its attractive bridges. Our walk then follows a track back to Bourton-on-the-Water

Highlight: St Edwards Church (rarely it has the war memorial inside) and the bustling market square at Stow-on-the-Wold.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Total ascent: 300 feet (100m)

In summary: Today's walk will explore the village of Coates, with its church dating from the Norman period. Moving on to the source of the River Thames we’ll continue alongside a canal and through fields into Cirencester, the 'capital' of the Cotswolds.

Don’t miss: Explore Cirencester at the end of the walk. There's much of historical interest in what was Roman Britain’s second largest city.

Distance: 9 miles (15km)

Ascent: 480 feet (140m) 

In summary: We start today's walk at the ornate church of Sapperton, before walking across  fields and through woodland to the impressive southern entrance of the Sapperton Canal Tunnel. Taking time to visit the source of the River Thames we continue to the village of Coates and on to Cirencester.

Highlight: In Cirencester you could explore the Abbey grounds, the Corinium museum or the superb 15th century church.

Distance: 11½ miles (17.5km)

Ascent: 820 feet (250m)

In summary: Starting in the village of Frampton Mansell we follow the Wysis Way along the Severn Thames canal. We have the opportunity to visit both north and south entrances to the Sapperton canal tunnel before following the same route as Option 2 to Cirencester.    

Highlight: A walk rich in history, including charming Saxon and Norman village churches, rich Roman archaeology and industrial history.

Distance: 6½ miles (11km)

Ascent: 550 feet (160m)

In summary: Follow the Diamond and the Macmillan Way to Cold Aston. A third trail - the Gloucestershire Way takes us back to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Highlight: St George's church in Hampnett with it's beautiful Victorian stencilling.

Distance: 9 miles (14km)

Ascent: 550 feet (160m) 

In summary: Follow the Gloucestershire Way and Diamond Way through rolling countryside to the Wold villages of Notgrove and Cold Aston, before arriving back at Bourton-on-the-Water.

Highlight: Notgrove Norman Church and nearby manor house, and the Walk through the long avenue of Beech trees.

Distance: 10½ miles (17km)

Ascent: 850 feet (260m)

In summary: Follow the Gloucestershire Way through the rolling countryside of the Cotswolds. We'll pass sleepy villages, then make our way back to Bourton-on-the-Water through the Windrush Valley.

Highlight: We start near the supposedly haunted Frog Mill Inn; once the staging post for the Oxford to Gloucester mail coach.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 550 feet (160m)

In summary: This walk leaves Bourton-on-the-Water on the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways to arrive in Cold Aston. A lovely village arranged around a green and a sycamore tree. The Plough Inn is an ideal place for some refreshment. The walk continues across fields and around farms on the Sabrina Way and Monarch’s Way back to Bourton-on-the-water.

Highlight: Do look around at various times for some super views towards Little Rissington.

Distance: 8½ miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 600 feet (180m)

In summary: This walk leaves Bourton-on-the-Water on the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways to arrive in Cold Aston. A lovely village arranged around a green and a sycamore tree. The Plough Inn is an ideal place for some refreshment. The walk continues across fields and around farms on the Sabrina Way. The route then goes to Clapton on the Hill, before descending down through Marshmouth Farm and back into Bourton.

Highlight: The lovely church at Clapton on the Hill.

Distance: 12miles (19km)

Ascent: 1,100 feet (280m)

In summary: This walk leaves Bourton-on-the-Water on the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways to arrive in Cold Aston. A lovely village arranged around a green and a sycamore tree. The Plough Inn is an ideal place for some refreshment then we continue to Notgrove, followed by Turkdean, another lovely village. Then back to Cold Aston on the Macmillan Way before turning off on Monarch’s Way back to Bourton.

Highlight: Explore picturesque Notgrove with its Manor house and beautiful church.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km) 

Total ascent: 450 feet (140m)  

In summary: Walk through gently rolling countryside, passing a heritage railway, ancient churches, and the ruined Hailes Abbey, before ending the day at the interesting Cotswold town of Winchcombe. 

Highlight: The ruins of Hailes Abbey. Richard Earl of Cornwall, founded the Abbey in 1246, to thank God after he survived a shipwreck.

Distance: 8½ miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 1,000 feet (320m) 

In summary: Enjoy the views over the far reaching Evesham Vale, before passing Hailes Abbey and following the Cotswold Way to end at Winchcombe.

Highlight: The little chapel of ease at Farmcote.

Distance: 10½ miles (17km)

Ascent: 1,450 feet (440m)

In summary: Ascend Langley Hill with views out towards the Vale of Evesham and the Malvern hills, before continuing on to Cleeve hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds, with stunning views of Winchcombe and Sudeley castle in the valley below.

Highlight: Belas Knap - a Neolithic long barrow situated on Cleeve hill. 

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Total ascent: 550 feet (160m)

In summary: A walk along the Monarch's Way from the village of Broadwell to Bourton-on-the-Water. We'll stop to explore Stow-on-the-Wold and the delightful village of Lower Slaughter.

Highlight: Timeless Lower Slaughter was voted the 'most romantic street in Britain'. With its idyllic cottages and watermill. This is delightful spot to stop and relax.

Distance: 9 miles (14km)

Total ascent: 700 feet (220m) 

In summary: This walk starts in the village of Longborough. We'll head first to Stow-on-the-Wold, then on to Lower Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Highlight: Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds. Explore the market square, once the site of the town's annual sheep fairs.

Distance: 11½ miles (18.5km)

Total ascent: 900 feet (280m)

In summary: Follow the Monarch's Way through gently rolling countryside. Starting from Moreton-in-Marsh our route takes us through Stow-on-the-Wold and Lower Slaughter back to Bourton.

Highlight: Our walk follows the Monarch’s Way - the escape route of Charles II to Shoreham and France after his defeat at the battle of Worcester in 1651.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Total ascent: 550 feet (160m)

In summary: A walk along the Monarch's Way from the village of Broadwell to Bourton-on-the-Water. We'll stop to explore Stow-on-the-Wold and the delightful village of Lower Slaughter.

Highlight: Timeless Lower Slaughter was voted the 'most romantic street in Britain'. With its idyllic cottages and watermill. This is delightful spot to stop and relax.

Distance: 9 miles (14km)

Total ascent: 700 feet (220m) 

In summary: This walk starts in the village of Longborough. We'll head first to Stow-on-the-Wold, then on to Lower Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Highlight: Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds. Explore the market square, once the site of the town's annual sheep fairs.

Distance: 11½ miles (18.5km)

Total ascent: 900 feet (280m)

In summary: Follow the Monarch's Way through gently rolling countryside. Starting from Moreton-in-Marsh our route takes us through Stow-on-the-Wold and Lower Slaughter back to Bourton.

Highlight: Our walk follows the Monarch’s Way - the escape route of Charles II to Shoreham and France after his defeat at the battle of Worcester in 1651.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 650 feet (200m)

In summary: From the pretty stone built village of Ilmington we walk through rolling Cotswold countryside to the equally pretty village of Ebrington. We finish our walk in the small town of Chipping Campden.

Highlight: Hunt out the 11 mice carved into the pews in Ilmington's fine Norman church.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Total ascent: 900 feet (300m)

In summary: Our walk links the National Trust gardens at Hidcote Manor with Chipping Campden. We'll pass over the rolling hills via the village of Ilmington.

Highlight: Hidcote Manor Garden is designed in an Arts & Crafts style and is famed for its colourful outdoor 'rooms', each planted in a different design.

Distance: 10½ miles (17.5km)

Total ascent: 1300 feet (400m)

In summary: Starting from the village of Mickleton, we'll first climb the hill to Hidcote Manor, then continue over the downs to Ilmington. Our walk continues along the Monarch's Way to Chipping Campden.

Highlight: Hunt out the 11 mice carved into the pews in Ilmington's fine Norman church.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Ascent: 300 feet (100m)

In summary: On this circular walk from Bourton we visit the pretty villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter following the River Eye, before returning to Bourton via Salmonsbury Camp.

Highlight: The twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter are just a couple of miles' walk from Bourton-on-the-Water. The River Eye flows through these most picturesque of villages, creating a picture-postcard scene.

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)

Total ascent: 550 feet (180m) 

In summary: Visit both Upper and Lower Slaughter and the medieval village of Lower Harford, before a riverside walk beside the Windrush takes us back to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Highlight: The twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter are just a couple of miles' walk from Bourton-on-the-Water. The River Eye flows through these most picturesque of villages, creating a picture-postcard scene.

Distance: 10 miles (16.5km)

Total ascent: 700 feet (220m)

In summary: Follow a clockwise loop from Bourton along the tranquil valley of the River Windrush to Lower Harford and the village of Naunton. Our return route takes us over the fields via the Slaughters.

Highlight: We should have time for refreshments in the Black Horse Inn at Naunton and/or the charming mill shop at Lower Slaughter. Keep a lookout for herons on the riverside section of this walk.