Cotswold Way - North Section
Walk the northern half of the Cotswold Way on a self-guided walking holiday.
Cotswold Way - North Section
https://www.contours.co.uk/cotswold-way-north-section
A magnificent trail showcasing the world-famous Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
From £500 per person
The Cotswold Way walk runs along the western edge of the Cotswold Hills from the old wool town of Chipping Campden to the historic city of Bath, showcasing varied terrain and unforgettable views. Along the way, the walking holiday encounters tranquil woodlands and sheltered valleys dotted with welcoming towns, villages and hamlets.
Each settlement boasts intriguing insights into the region’s fascinating past, while the surrounding landscapes also feature a wealth of historical landmarks such as hill forts, castles and ancient battle sites. The Cotswold Way is an iconic trail filled with everything a walker could wish for from this magical realm.
Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.
This route can be walked in either direction - just tick the 'Reverse Tours' box when choosing your tour to see options travelling in the non-standard direction.
From £500 per person
The North section of the Cotswold Way runs from the ancient market town of Chipping Campden to the quintessentially English village of Painswick.
The trail passes through wonderful green countryside and visits a series of towns and villages, including Stanton, built entirely of Cotswold Stone, and Dowdeswell, boasting fascinating earthworks. This walk also features stunning views from the top of Cleeve Hill, the highest point in all of Gloucestershire, as well as unique glimpses into the region’s turbulent past.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COTWN1 | From Chipping Campden to Painswick | 3 days walking | £500 | |
| COTWN2 | From Chipping Campden to Painswick | 4 days walking | £620 | |
| COTWN3 | From Chipping Campden to Painswick | 5 days walking | £740 | |
| COTWN4 | From Chipping Campden to Painswick | 6 days walking | £865 |
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COTWSB | From Dowdeswell(T) to King's Stanley(L) | 3 days walking | £500 |
Travel to Chipping Campden where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Chipping Campden to Winchcombe. 18 miles (29km) / 2139 ft (652 m) ascent
Winchcombe to Dowdeswell(T). 12 miles (19km) / 1555 ft (474 m) ascent
Dowdeswell(T) to Painswick. 16.5 miles (26.5km) / 2402 ft (732 m) ascent
Depart from Painswick after breakfast
This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.
Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.
The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
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Admiring the variety of scenery, from rolling green fields and dry-stone walls to historic battlefields and burial mounds.
Exploring the picturesque towns and villages on route to Painswick, including Chipping Campden, Stanton and Dowdeswell.
Enjoying far-reaching views from the summit of Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds.
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
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“We greatly enjoyed our recent holiday and were impressed by your organisation. We appreciated the timely provision of comprehensive and details information. We particularly commend the speedy and reliable luggage transfer service by Volunteer Inn.”Mrs Allison, UK
“We loved it. We're going to come back and walk the other half.”Mr Doolittle, USA
“The trail and the hotels were good.”Mss Aardoom, Netherlands
“Excellent holiday, beautiful scenery, spectacular views. The accommodation was varied but always good quality with a good breakfast.”Ms Way, UK
“Thanks a lot for another wonderful vacation. I enjoyed the Cotswolds Way very much.”Ms Berentsen, Germany
“Everything was well organised and the route enjoyable. We would recommend you on the fact that the accommodation is good and organisation very sound - unlike some of your rivals who we have heard are not very good at all either to the guests or hosts.”Mr Lee, UK
“The holiday went very well. All the arrangements worked like clockwork and the weather was kind. The route suited the group's expertise/fitness and everyone enjoyed the experience. We were delighted with the way everything came together. Well done!”Mr McCloskey, UK
“We have just completed our five day walk, and we would like to express how much we enjoyed it and the service provided by Contours.”Mr Ellis, UK
“This was the first time that I have been on holiday with my dog. The experience has been wonderful. All arrangements were very efficient. Our three overnight stays were very friendly and very welcoming to our dog. The luggage transfers went without a hitch. The two days walking were just right for us in level and distance. The route was very well marked and the book giving us. Very detailed description of the walk was invaluable. We were very lucky with the weather. I liked the variety of terrain covered. I liked it all.”Ms Evans, UK
Dog friendly
Reverse tour