Prices
Is this tour for me?
Get In Touch
Highlights
Exlore the Cotswolds walking the Southern section of the Cotswold Way
Walk through the lush and spectacular Cotswold countryside.
Immerse yourself in English history, from Iron-Age hillforts to Regency architecture to 17th and 18th Century manor houses.
Explore classic English villages and quaint towns along the Cotswold Way, ending with a chance to see the ancient Roman baths in the incredible city of Bath.
Experience warm, personal hospitality in small hotels and B&Bs run by families in old authentic farmhouses and coaching inns.
Explore the south section of the Cotswold Way as it stretches from Painswick to Bath, taking you along picturesque country lanes, over rolling hills of grassland, and through the idyllic towns and villages that form the very heart of the Cotswolds.
This is the English countryside at its finest, with a variety of landscapes including river valleys, forest footpaths, and farmlands that stretch out to the horizon. You’ll end your self-guided walking tour in the historic city of Bath, where the namesake ancient Roman baths await your discovery.
Travelling through the Cotswolds’ unparalleled countryside on foot is the perfect way to experience this region, allowing you to connect with the land and its people. Enjoy true hospitality during your stay in family-run bed and breakfasts with all the authentic and historic charm of the region. The Cotswold Way South Section walking tour is an unforgettable adventure!
Explore the south section of the Cotswold Way as it stretches from Painswick to Bath, taking you along picturesque country lanes, over rolling hills of grassland, and through the idyllic towns and villages that form the very heart of the Cotswolds.
This is the English countryside at its finest, with a variety of landscapes including river valleys, forest footpaths, and farmlands that stretch out to the horizon. You’ll end your self-guided walking tour in the historic city of Bath, where the namesake ancient Roman baths await your discovery.
Travelling through the Cotswolds’ unparalleled countryside on foot is the perfect way to experience this region, allowing you to connect with the land and its people. Enjoy true hospitality during your stay in family-run bed and breakfasts with all the authentic and historic charm of the region. The Cotswold Way South Section walking tour is an unforgettable adventure!
Read more
Cotswold Way South Section Walking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Painswick
Welcome to Painswick, the midpoint of the Cotswold Way National Trail. This small town features a number of boutique shops and independent restaurants. Take time to visit the Rococo Gardens and the churchyard from the 1800s. While in the churchyard, notice the yew trees. There are 99 of them because, according to a legend, the devil would destroy the hundredth tree if they planted it. The church planted yew tree number 100 in celebration of the millennium and it continues to thrive. Fans of J.K. Rowling might recognize the town of Painswick from her novel, The Casual Vacancy.
Overnight Location: The Falcon Inn, Painswick
Distance: N/A
Meals: None
Day 2 Painswick to Stonehouse
Start your walk today from Painswick, following the trail as it descends and crosses the Wash Brook. After this, climb back up to the Edge Common and continue through a section of forest. You’ll reach a clearing in the trees at Haresfield Beacon, which offers wonderful views of the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain. There is also a hillfort here from the Iron Age. Descend down into woods again and enjoy a springtime carpet of bluebell and wood anemone, or ferns in the summer in the lovely Standish Woods. Emerge from the forest once again into the grassy pastures of the Stroud Valley. You will soon reach historic Stonehouse, where you will spend the night. This village was listed in England’s earliest records, the Domesday Book from 1086.
Overnight Location: The Stonehouse Court Hotel, Stonehouse
Distance: 9.5 miles / 15 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Stonehouse to Wotton-under-Edge
Continue walking today through Dursley, after which the trail climbs steeply to the top of Stinchcombe Hill. Soon you’ll climb again up a steep ascent as the trail takes you to the Tyndale Monument and the Brackenbury Camp Hillfort. Pause here to catch your breath and enjoy the view of the surrounding area, including the town of Wotton-under-Edge. Follow the trail as it follows the ups and downs of the rolling hills, through wooded areas and up to viewpoints before coming to Wotton-under-Edge, where you’ll spend the night. Enjoy this historic town with its many listed buildings and independent shops and restaurants.
Overnight Location: The Swan Hotel, Wotton-under-Edge
Distance: 13.5 miles / 21.5 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Wotton Under Edge to Old Sodbury
Begin today by walking past an old drover’s pond and continue on the Cotswold Way as it takes you south toward Horton, following Bath Lane. You’ll come to Horton Court, a National Trust property which is believed to be England’s oldest vicarage. After this, the trail ascends to Horton Fort, where you’ll enjoy expansive views of the Severn Vale and beyond. Follow the trail across local farmland, through Horton village, and continue to the village of Old Sodbury where you will stop for the night.
Overnight Location: Rock Cottage B&B, Old Sodbury
Distance: 12.5 miles / 20 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton
Begin today by following the trail through Dodington Park, which is a wonderful parkland laid out by architect Capability Brown in the 18th Century. Crossing a few more fields brings you to the town of Tormarton. Pass through Tormarton and continue south following the Marshfield Road for a time before the trail crosses an area of arable land then skirts the perimeter of Dyrham Park. Dyrham Park is a 17th Century manor built on an ancient deer park now owned by the National Trust and featured in the BBC adaptation of Poldark. From here, conclude today’s walk by ascending through a woodland until you reach the village of Cold Ashton and stop for the night.
Overnight Location: Whiteways B&B, Cold Ashton
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Cold Ashton – Bath
Today’s walk is a beautiful finale to this wonderful tour! Begin by descending past Little Down promontory hillfort and the well-known Bath Racecourse into a lovely and secluded valley at Lower Hamswell. You’ll catch glimpses of the city of Bath in the valley below you as you notice that the trail is gradually becoming more urban. You’ll pass a number of parks and great examples of regency architecture as you approach Bath Abbey. Outside the western doors of the abbey, you’ll find a stone disc in the pavement that marks the ending point of the Cotswold Way. You have made it to the end of the trail!
Bath has a lot to offer tourists and you may want to extend your stay here to allow time for exploring this fascinating and historic city. Don’t miss the Roman baths from which the city gets its name. Unless you are in a hurry to depart, spend the night here in Bath.
Overnight Location: The Rising Sun Inn, Bath
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Departure Day
Sadly, your time on the Cotswold Way has come to an end. Public transportation is readily available to help you return to your car, if you parked one, or to reach nearby Bristol Airport. You can take a train from Bath Spa to London, which takes about 1.5 hours.
Overnight Location: N/A
Distance: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Prices for Self-guided Cotswold Way South Section Walking Tour
Pricing for this self-guided walking tour on the Cotswold Way is run as private tour for your group only and the price is based on the number of guests on your trip.Prices below are per person:
- Price per person sharing a double/twin room: GBP870
- Price per person staying in a single room: GBP1530
Accommodation on the Cotswold Way South Section Walking Tour
This tour is based in 3-4-star hotels and bed and breakfasts. In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of USD500 to have a private room in a hotel.
What’s included in the Cotswold Way South Section Walking Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included with accommodations. Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights along the tour. Extra nights may be added for an additional fee.
Also Included
- Accommodation at the stated category with breakfast
- Luggage Transfers
- Full Tour Pack
- Smartphone App with GPS routes
- 24-hr emergency helpline
Not included
- Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
- Entrance to attractions
- Buses and/or Ferries unless otherwise stated
- Tourist Taxes where applicable
Optional Extras
- Add an extra night in Cheltenham, Painswick, or Bath
- How hard is this tour?
- Do I need a Visa?
- Are meals included?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Painswick to start this tour?
- Where does the tour end?
- Do I need vaccines?
- What should I pack?
- What is the weather like in the Cotswolds?
- Are there any travel restrictions for this country?
- When is the best time to travel to England for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. The difficulty level is moderate, but you should be ready to walk up to 13.5 miles (21.5 km) per day over hilly countryside.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts are included with your accommodations. Lunches, dinners, drinks, and other food is not included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Travel to Painswick by car, bus, or taxi. If traveling by train, the nearest station is Stroud, but Painswick is also easily accessible from Cheltenham. Because Painswick is a small village with very limited parking, it is recommended to plan your arrival to Cheltenham and arrange for a transfer to Painswick from there. Contact your tour operator for assistance in making arrangements to get to Painswick.
The tour ends in Bath. From the Bath Spa railway station, the train to London takes 1.5 hours.
Check with your family doctor.
Dress for the weather of the season in the Cotswolds. Always pack a jacket in case the temperatures are cooler than expected, and quality rain gear. Sun protection such as a hat and sunglasses is also recommended. Choose clothes that are comfortable and manage moisture well. Sturdy walking shoes are also recommended.
The Cotswolds have mild weather, without extremes of heat or cold, making in reasonable to visit at any time of year. This beautiful area is not known for abundant sunshine and it rains frequently, particularly during the winter. More information about weather in the Cotswolds.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to the Cotswolds for this tour is during the warmer months from May to September, but the trip is available year-round.
Customer Ratings
Compass Holidays has been helping walkers explore the best walks in the UK since 1990. Their expert team organize great walking holidays so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your time away.
