Weinreich Cotswolds Way
Caren and Gadi
Wednesday 18th September – Friday 27th September 2024
Wednesday 18th September – Friday 27th September 2024
Upon landing at Birmingham Airport, your private transfer will be waiting, ready to whisk you away to the serene Cotswolds. The drive to Broadway takes you through picturesque countryside, with rolling hills and charming villages setting the tone for your journey.
Arrive at your luxurious hotel perched above the village of Broadway, the cozy warmth invites an evening of relaxation, where you can unwind and recharge.
Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House Hotel & Spa
Room Type: Courtyard Suite
Meals Included: None
Setting out today at the start point of the Cotswolds Way trail you’ll journey South-West, heading into the heart of the Cotswolds hills. After a short climb, you’ll summit Dover’s Hill which offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Visit Broadway Tower offering stunning panoramic views of the Cotswolds from its historic hilltop perch, where you can see for miles on a clear day. The tower itself, an eccentric 18th-century folly, adds a touch of architectural charm, making it a perfect spot for both nature lovers and history enthusiasts. Perhaps treat yourself to a well-deserved break in the cafe, or picnic in the extensive grounds and deer park. Continue your hike to Broadway Village, said to be the most photographed village in England, and return to your accommodation for this evening.
Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House Hotel & Spa
Room Type: Courtyard Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles
Today, journey through some of England’s most picturesque countryside and one of the most popular stretches of the Cotswold Way. The route this morning leads you through rolling hills, lush woodlands, and quaint villages, with each step revealing breathtaking views. Make a stop at Hailes Abbey offering a serene break, where you can explore the evocative ruins of the once-grand Cistercian abbey, steeped in history and tranquility.
The final stretch into Winchcombe brings you into a charming market town, rich in medieval heritage, providing a satisfying end to a day of peaceful walking and discovery.
Your private transfer will collect you at the end of the day and take you to your next accommodation.
Overnight: Cheltenham | Ellenborough Park
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 19 km / 12 miles
The walk from Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill on the Cotswold Way is a journey through layers of history and natural beauty. Departing from the charming market town of Winchcombe, the path leads you to the majestic Sudeley Castle, where you can explore its stunning gardens and delve into its rich royal history.
Continuing along the trail, take a short detour to Belas Knap, a Neolithic long barrow, offering a fascinating glimpse into ancient Britain, with its mysterious stone chambers and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The final ascent to Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds, rewards you with expansive vistas, a perfect culmination to a day filled with historical wonders and breathtaking landscapes.
End the day arriving at your luxury accommodation for some rest and relaxation.
Overnight: Cheltenham | Ellenborough Park
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 14 km / 9 miles
This morning, meet your local guide and head out to explore the area. Start off with a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa where your guide vividly recounts the opulent lifestyle of its former Roman inhabitants as you explore the site’s intricate mosaics, bathhouses, and underfloor heating systems.
After delving into this slice of ancient history, perhaps head into Cheltenham, where your guide takes you through the town’s elegant Regency architecture, lush parks, and historic spa buildings. As you stroll through this stylish town, you uncover its transformation into a fashionable retreat, wrapping up a day rich in historical and cultural insights.
Your guide will drop you back at your luxurious hotel to absorb the tranquil surroundings before your Cotswolds Way adventure continues tomorrow.
Overnight: Cheltenham | Ellenborough Park
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning’s walk starts on quiet country lanes, takes a path through Dowdeswell Wood to the reservoir then continues on through beautiful Lineover Wood with its ancient beech trees. Climb up to Wistley Plantation and on over farmland before heading down to Seven Springs, thought by some to be the source of the River Thames.
By afternoon the countryside opens up as you ascend a series of moderate hills including Leckhampton, which features a hill fort as well as being a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the geology and biodiversity of the area. Look out for the Devil’s Chimney rock formation as well as small mammals, birds of prey and, if you’re lucky, rare butterflies attracted by the limestone grassland. You can also see old tramway routes as well as the remains of kilns and limestone quarries. The final summit is on Crickley Hill which is jointly owned and managed by the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
Overnight: Stoud | Painswick Hotel
Room Type: Palladian Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 23 km / 14 miles
Walking the Cotswold Way from Birdlip to Painswick is a delightful journey through the heart of the Cotswolds, offering stunning views and charming countryside. With your local guide, walk the trail as it meanders through lush woodlands and open fields, with sweeping vistas of the Severn Valley unfolding before you. As you approach Painswick, a stop at St. Mary’s Church provides a peaceful pause, where you can admire its distinctive yew trees and explore the historic churchyard, known for its intricately carved tombstones.
Conclude in Painswick, often called the “Queen of the Cotswolds” where the town’s picturesque streets and honey-coloured stone buildings welcome you at the end of a scenic and serene day.
Overnight: Stroud | Painswick Hotel
Room Type: Palladian Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 14 km / 9 miles
This morning, depart from Painswick and wave farewell to your guide. With its charming stone houses the trail now leads you through rolling hills and ancient woodlands, where the tranquility of the countryside is only interrupted by the occasional chirping of birds. The path offers stunning views of the Severn Valley and beyond, with stretches of wildflower-filled meadows and quaint villages that dot the route.
As you approach King’s Stanley, the landscape gently transitions into a more pastoral setting, with the village’s inviting atmosphere providing a perfect end to your day.
Overnight: Stroud | Burleigh Court Hotel
Room Type: Splendid Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk Details: 13 km / 8 miles
Today, your transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you to your Bath hotel where you can drop your bags and enjoy a day exploring the city. Observe the stunning Georgian architecture and soaking in the sights and sounds of the city.
Perhaps a highlight of your day is a visit to the Roman Baths, where you can immerse yourself in the ancient history of this UNESCO World Heritage site, exploring the remarkably preserved bathing complex and the sacred hot springs that have drawn visitors for millennia. After delving into the past, indulge in modern luxury at the Thermae Bath Spa, where you can unwind in the rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city, soaking in the same mineral-rich waters that have made Bath a spa destination for centuries. This day in Bath seamlessly combines exploration and relaxation, leaving you rejuvenated and inspired after your hiking adventure.
Overnight: Bath | The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Room Type: Executive Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your Cotswold Way explorations.
Please see our booking terms here.