Cotswold Way Guided Trail
The Cotswold Way covers 100 miles of rolling English countryside, dotted with medieval churches, timber-framed villages, and historic stately homes. This guided trail holiday starts in leafy-laned Chipping Campden and ends in Bath, the English spa town with over 2,000-years of Roman history. Along the way, we’ll visit several standout highlights including the ghostly ruins of the 13th century Hailes Abbey and Cooper’s Hill – home of Gloucestershire’s famously weird and wonderful cheese-rolling championships.
What you’ll love
- Exploring miles of English countryside from Chipping Campden to Bath
- Visiting honey-coloured villages and charming market towns
- Discovering the region's rich history
- Visiting Hailes Abbey
- Exploring the Roman-founded city of Bath
What’s included
- Comfortable en-suite rooms in our partner accommodation(s)
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
- All transport to and from walks where necessary
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.
We begin our walk from the market town of Chipping Campden, we follow the trail up onto Dovers Hill offering fine views of the surrounding landscapes. We descend to Broadway Tower, a folly built in 1799 by the Earl of Coventry and then on to the village of Broadway. We then continue through fields to Stanway House; famous for it's thatched village cricket pavilion, this is a Jacobean mansion with a magnificent gateway and a wonderfully preserved tithe barn.
Disctance 12 miles (19km) with 1500 feet (450m) of ascent
Leaving Stanway House we follow the trail to Hailes Abbey, which was founded by the Cistercians in 1215. We then walk through Winchcombe and pass the Neolithic barrow of Belas Knapp, finishing our walk at Cleeve Common.
Distance 12miles (19km) with 1,410 feet (440m) of ascent
We begin the day with an ascent onto Cleeve Hill the highest point on the Cotswold Way, we then walk past Dowdeswell Reservoir and pay a visit to Seven Springs where the River Thames rises. We then pass the Devils Chimney and ascend Leckhampton Hill.
Distance 12 miles (19km) with 1,800 feet (550m) of ascent
We follow the trail to Crickley Hill Country Park, where archaeologists have been at work nearly 20 years, unearthing remnants from different occupations dating back to about 4,000BC. We then walk through ancient beech woodland and up on to Cooper's Hill, infamous for cheese rolling. We then walk along to Painswick Beacon and an iron age camp.
Distance 11 miles (17.5km) with 1,900 feet (580m) of ascent
Leaving Painswick we walk to Standish wood, where we see 'spectacle' stocks and the wonderful St Mary's church, with it's 99 yew trees. We then reach the Stroudwater Canal and ascend onto the escarpment passing the Nympsfield Neolithic long barrow.
Distance: 13 miles (20.5km) with 2,250 feet (680m) of ascent.
Starting our walk today from Coaley Peak we follow the trail through the town of Dursley crossing Stichcombe Hill and passing through North Nibley. We then ascend Wotton Hill to see the Tyndale Monument, a 111 foot commemoration of William Tyndale, who was executed in 1536 for opposing Henry VIII's divorce and translating the bible into English. We then descend to Wotton under Edge.
Distance 12 miles (19km) with 1,850 feet (560m) of ascent
Passing through the town of Wotton we ascend Wortley Hill. We then travel through the Cotswold countryside with views of Newark Park a Grade 1 listed country house, before ending our day at the St Adeline Church in Little Sodbury.
Distance: 11 miles (17km) with 1,500 feet (450m) of ascent.
We leave Little Sodbury and it's iron age hill fort and pass through the Georgian park lands of Dodington and Dyrham. We follow the Cotswold escarpment to Cold Ashton.
Distance: 10 miles (17km) with 1,180 feet (360m) of ascent.
We follow the trail passing through Lansdown Racecourse an area steeped in history including one of the major battles of the English Civil war. We head towards Bath passing The Royal Crescent and The Roman Baths before completing the Cotswold Way at Bath Abbey, with time to explore the beautiful city of Bath.
Distance: 10 miles (16.5km) with 1,100 feet (340m) of ascent.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Harrington House
You get the best of all worlds at this Grade II-listed retreat just a skip away from the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water – the impossibly pretty Cotswolds town with chocolate-box cottages, old-fashioned tearooms, and low-arched stone bridges that span the River Windrush. Not only will you be within walking distance of the Cotswold Motoring Museum, the Model Village, and Birdland Wildlife Park & Gardens, but it’s an easy drive from village beauties Broadway and Bibury. For walkers and hikers, there’s no shortage of thrills, especially for those keen to explore the well-trodden trails and paths around the Windrush Valley, Lower and Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire Way, Cotswold Way, and Monarch Way.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Harrington House has 27 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surrounds. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Rooms 1 and 2 on the first floor for their master bedrooms, original Palladian design, and lovely views. Room 24 in the Windrush Cottage is a large twin room with its own private garden.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Harrington House
Getting to Harrington House
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationEssential information
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip
- Waterproof and windproof jacket, preferably insulated
- Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable)
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Gloves and a warm hat (or sunhat)
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- A small torch
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone and portable charger
- Watch
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
- Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters
- First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent
- Sit mat
- Spare pair of socks
- Energy snacks
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles, useful for descents
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Gaiters
- Blister kit
- Waterproof rucksack liner
- Head torch
- GPS device
Harrington House Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
31 May - 10 Jun 2024 10 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire | Trip Notes | ||||
|
21 Jun - 01 Jul 2024 10 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire | Trip Notes | ||||
|
02 Aug - 12 Aug 2024 10 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,729 pp |
from £1,729 pp |
Call to Enquire | Trip Notes | Book Now | |||
|
04 Oct - 14 Oct 2024 10 nights |
Guided Trail
Single Call to Enquire
Double from £1,579 £1,554 pp |
from £1,579 £1,554 pp |
Call to Enquire | Save £25 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
