Cotswold Way - South Section
Self-guided walking holidays along the southern half of the Cotswold Way, with accommodation and luggage transfers.
Cotswold Way - South Section
https://www.contours.co.uk/cotswold-way-south-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 South section of the Cotswold Way begins in Painswick and travels along the Cotswold escarpment to the World Heritage-listed city of Bath. Along with stunning scenery, the trail takes in a variety of picturesque villages, including King’s Stanley and Wotton-under-Edge, where the buildings have remained virtually unchanged since the Victorian period.
The area’s rich history can also be explored at Sodbury Fort, as well as in the city of Bath. The city is famed for its historical architecture and Roman bath houses, making this the perfect finishing point for the Cotswold Way.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COTWS1 | From Painswick to Bath | 3 days walking | £500 | |
| COTWS2 | From Painswick to Bath | 4 days walking | £620 | |
| COTWS3 | From Painswick to Bath | 5 days walking | £740 | |
| COTWS4 | From Painswick to Bath | 7 days walking | £980 |
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COTWSB | From Dowdeswell(T) to King's Stanley(L) | 3 days walking | £500 |
Travel to Painswick where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Painswick to Dursley(L). 16 miles (25.5km) / 2493 ft (760 m) ascent
Dursley(L) to Old Sodbury. 20.5 miles (33km) / 2664 ft (812 m) ascent
Old Sodbury to Bath. 18.5 miles (29.5km) / 1857 ft (566 m) ascent
Depart from Bath 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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Experiencing a sense of tranquillity as you meander through the heart of the Cotswolds.
Admiring far-reaching views from the Cotswold escarpment.
Enjoying a sense of achievement upon reaching the city of Bath, a World Heritage Site.
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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“Everything was well organized and accommodations were all good. The people we met on the trail were friendly and helpful. We had such a positive experience… The views were breath-taking.”Mr Hayes, USA
“Contours booked an extra leg for us and coordinated extra rooms when family rooms weren’t available. Very helpful!”Mrs Bolman, USA
“I just wish to thank you for the splendid organisation for this long distance path. Superb instruction in your pack made finding the overnight accommodation easy. Many thanks for your support.”Mr Wood, UK
“Very lucky with the weather on an excellent walking route.”Mr Porteous, UK
“It was wonderful.”Mrs Searl, UK
“Route was very good. Luggage always in the room when we arrived.”Mr Usher, UK
“Just the right amount of enjoyment and challenge. All arrangements were professionally managed. Accommodation was first rate. Very well managed thank you. Yes. Everything was professionally organised.”Mrs Youngberry, Australia
“Despite the fact that I fell on day 2 and had to take taxis between towns instead of walking the path, we had a great time! We enjoyed walking in the towns and local paths as much as we could. The "emergency contact people" did a great job helping us modify our trip as needed, even over a bank holiday weekend. We were very impressed with how well organized everything was.”Ms Kavanagh, USA
“We had a wonderful time!”Mrs Dodridge, Canada
Dog friendly
Reverse tour