4 Night Cotswolds Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday

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.

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: 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: 850 feet (260m)

In summary: Leaving Bourton via the quarry lakes we ascend to Great Rissington and then across the Cotswold countryside to the idyllic Cotswold stone village of Icomb. With fine views across the Cotswold landscape we return to Harrington House via Greystones nature reserve and the picturesque main street of Bourton-on-the-Water.

Highlight: Take your camera – plenty of quintessential Cotswolds photo opportunities.

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.