A Cotswolds Adventure

Day 1 - Sunday 10^th August - London to the Cotswolds

Leave the bustling metropolis of London behind and head west into the Cotswolds – a region cherished for its pastoral charm, pretty villages, flower-rich limestone grassland and deep incised valleys. The inspiration for many works of art and literature, including Beatrix Potter, J.R.R Tolkien and Laurie Lee, it’s a pretty and interesting place to explore.

Arrive at your beautiful cottage, part of the Thyme Hotel estate and take some time to settle in. Perhaps enjoy a stroll in the warm afternoon light, before enjoying dinner and a good night’s sleep.

A private transfer will meet you at Heathrow and to take you to the Cotswolds

Overnight: Southrop Manor Estate | Thyme
Room Type: Gardener's Cottage - 3 x bedrooms
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Monday 11^th August - Hidden Charms of the Cotswolds

Spend a delightful day exploring the beauty of the Cotswolds with your guide. In Stow-on-the-Wold, you’ll find antique shops, cozy pubs, and honey-coloured stone buildings perched on a historic market square. Just a short drive away, the charming twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter offer peaceful riverside walks and postcard views of old mills and footbridges. Burford, known as the “gateway to the Cotswolds,” delights with its medieval high street sloping down to the River Windrush, lined with traditional tea rooms and boutiques. A stop at Daylesford is a must for organic produce and stylish countryside shopping, making it the perfect blend of rural charm and modern luxury.

After a busy day your guide will take you back to your Thyme cottage.

Overnight: Southrop Manor Estate | Thyme
Room Type: Gardener's Cottage - 3 x bedrooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Tuesday 12^th August - Private out of hours tour of Berkeley Castle

This morning you will travel with your guide to the medieval Berkeley Castle, home of the Berkeley family for over 850 years where you will embark on a private, out of hours tour.

Feel free to stay on at the Castle after your tour if you want to explore further.

On the way back to your hotel you could visit the historic town of Tetbury, the second largest town in the Cotswolds and home to King Charles III. Wander around the pretty town, explore the antique shops and independent boutiques and don’t forget to walk down the famous ‘Chipping Steps’.

Overnight: Southrop Manor Estate | Thyme
Room Type: Gardener's Cottage - 3 x bedrooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Wednesday 13^th August - Chipping Campden to Broadway

Here begins the Cotswolds Way. You will have the services of a support guide for days 4-8. The guide will transfer you to/from the start/end of each section of the hike and will transfer your bags between hotels.

Setting out today at the beginning of the 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. It’s worth starting your day relatively early in order to fully enjoy your time at the 3 storey Broadway Tower. Admire the views over 16 counties and don’t forget to check out the exhibition. 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.

Spend time exploring Broadway which has a lovely selection of boutiques, gift shops, local crafts and art galleries.

Walk Details: 9km / 6 miles | Approx: 2 hrs – plus you’ll spend several hours at Broadway Tower and Village

Overnight: Broadway | The Lygon Arms
Room Type: 1 x Cottage Classic room - double occupancy - 1 x Cottage Classic room - single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Thursday 14^th August - Stanton to Winchcombe

Today you’ll really start to discover the rich and ancient history of the area as you reach Beckbury camp, an Iron Age fort that dates back to 2000 BC. It’s easy to see why this spot was chosen as the vantage point offers incredible views to the mountains of Wales over 70 miles away. Moving on, you’ll pass the ruins of 13th century Hailes Abbey, before arriving in Winchcombe.

Take your time exploring this pretty Cotswolds town with it’s mixture of historical buildings and unique independent shops. Enjoy a traditional pub lunch at the Lion Inn before meeting your driver guide who will take you back to your hotel, stopping off at the fascinating Snowshill Manor, once home to the eccentric Charles Wade and featuring his collection of bizarre and unusual finds.

Walk Details: 12 km / 7.5 miles | Approx: 3 hrs

Overnight: Broadway | The Lygon Arms
Room Type: 1 x Cottage Classic room - double occupancy - 1 x Cottage Classic room - single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Friday 15^th August - Cleeve Hill to Seven Springs

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.

Your driver guide will meet you at Seven Springs and will take you to a nearby pub for a well-deserved rest and chance to re-fuel.

Afterwards you can enjoy the fabulous spa facilities at Ellenborough Park where you will stay for the next couple of nights.

Walk Details: 13.6 km / approx 8.5  miles | Approx: 3-4 hours

Overnight: Cheltenham | Ellenborough Park
Room Type: 1 x Private Garden Luxury King -double occupancy - 1 x Private Garden Luxury King - single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Saturday 16^th August - Birdlip to Painswick

After a gentle start to the day, you’ll tackle a steep climb to the top of Coopers Hill which is famous for its annual cheese rolling festival. If you have the energy it’s worth taking a short detour to Painswick Beacon where you can see the remains of an Iron Age fort before making your way to the picturesque town of Painswick, the midpoint of the Cotswold Way.

Do spend some time exploring this pretty hamlet, enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the local pubs or independent cafes and seek out the impressive church and 99 yew trees. You’ll also have a chance to visit the famous Painswick Rococo Gardens, designed in the 1740s.

Your driver guide will then return you to Ellenborough Park.

Walk Details: 11.7 km / 7.2 miles | Approx: 3 hrs

Overnight: Cheltenham | Ellenborough Park
Room Type: 1 x Private Garden Luxury King -double occupancy - 1 x Private Garden Luxury King - single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Sunday 17^th August - Cold Ashton to Bath

Begin your final hike today by starting at Cold Ashton village then climb out of the valley to the site of the bloody Civil War Battle of Lansdown. As the route levels out you’ll pass a small hill fort; take a moment to enjoy your last views on this fantastic trail before heading down to the city of Bath in the valley below. As you leave the rural landscape behind, enjoy approaching the city through lovely parks and be impressed by the magnificent Georgian architecture as you make your way to the west doors of historic Bath Abbey. A disc carved out of blue limestone marks the end of the Cotswold Way. Celebrate your achievement by experiencing some of the sights and sounds of the city and look forward to a well-deserved rest in your last accommodation, the Town House at the Gainsborough Spa Hotel.

Please note if you feel like this walk is too long then you could always start it half way, still walking into Bath and the official end of the Cotswolds Way.

Walk Details: 17 km / 10 miles | Approx: 6 hrs

Overnight: Bath | The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Room Type: The Gainsborough Townhouse - 3 x bedrooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Monday 18^th August - Relaxing in the Spa

Congratulations on completing the Cotswolds Way hiking trail!

You’ve earned a rest so why not enjoy the facilities at the Gainsborough Bath Spa or head into the City centre to explore. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Roman Baths and afterwards treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea. A visit to the Victoria Arts Gallery, a tranquil and thought-provoking place beyond the colourful and vibrant streets, is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. It’s also worth visiting the Jane Austen Centre, which offers an insight into what life was like during Regency times.

Overnight: Bath | The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Room Type: The Gainsborough Townhouse - 3 x bedrooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Tuesday 19^th August - Bath's Stories in Stone

Explore the stunning Georgian city of Bath with a local expert guide. Begin at the remarkable Roman Baths, where the ancient site comes to life, revealing Roman rituals and sacred waters, and admire the well-preserved Great Bath and original stone pavements. Next, visit Bath Abbey, its Gothic spires soaring skywards. Uncover the stories behind its stained glass windows and fan-vaulted ceiling, and learn about the Abbey’s 1,300-year history. Bath’s unique blend of Roman and Georgian history provides a rare opportunity to experience two pivotal periods of England’s past in one place.

After the tour your local guide will see you back to your Townhouse.

Overnight: Bath | The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Room Type: The Gainsborough Townhouse - 3 x bedrooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Wednesday 20^th August - Depart

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to Bristol airport to make your onward connections to Edinburgh. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.

Meals Included: Breakfast