Cotswold Way - Relaxed

The walk from Uley/Dursley to Wotton-under-Edge is one of the most impressive stages of the Cotswold Way. This route leads you across ridge lines, past spectacular viewpoints and through picturesque villages, a beautiful blend of nature and history.

You begin with a steep climb from Dursley towards Stinchcombe Hill, a limestone plateau known for its wide-reaching views over the Severn Valley and the rolling hills beyond. At Drakestone Point, an iconic viewpoint, you will enjoy a panoramic vista considered one of the finest along the entire trail.

After descending, you reach the small village of North Nibley, where the path climbs once again toward the imposing Tyndale Monument. This tall memorial is dedicated to William Tyndale, a pioneer in translating the Bible into English, and offers a stunning view from the top. You then descend gently via Wotton Hill, with its distinctive commemorative trees, toward the stage's final destination: Wotton-under-Edge.

This charming market town is the perfect place to end your walk with a drink or a meal at one of the many welcoming pubs or cafés.

Leaving the streets of Wotton under Edge, the trail quickly slips into a quieter world with wide Cotswold views. The walk rolls gently through fields and tucked away valleys, mixing shady lanes with open pasture on the way towards Hawkesbury Upton.

From the edge of town the path follows a small stream before rising through trees and pasture to the high ground near Newark Park. Views open across the Severn Vale before the trail drops into a secluded valley, winding along a sunken lane towards the stone cottages of Alderley. Beyond the village, gentle tracks cross a quiet valley where medieval ridge ripples the fields before you reach Lower Kilcott.

From Lower Kilcott a final, easy climb leads up through pasture to the slender Somerset Monument, a stone tower watching over the hedged fields. With Hawkesbury Upton now just ahead, the path drifts down past barns and cottage gardens into the village. Your accommodation waits close to the lane, a relaxed place to drop your pack, freshen up and enjoy a quiet evening in classic Cotswold surroundings.

Leaving Hawkesbury Upton behind, the trail wanders out past the old pond and stone cottages into easy rolling fields. Hedgerows open now and then to long views across the Severn Vale, with church towers and farm roofs scattered in the haze. The mood is gentler here, less about climbing and more about drifting along quiet lanes and grassy paths towards the ridge above Old Sodbury.

From the edge of the village the path follows Bath Lane, a soft green track between hedges, then climbs steadily to Horton Fort at around 190 metres. The ramparts hide in the grass, but the views spill wide over fields and woods. A sharper descent carries you to Little Sodbury, dropping close to 130 metres, before another mellow rise leads towards the hill fort above Old Sodbury and its small church below.

Beyond the church a final stretch slips off the ridge, easing through pasture and farm tracks into the heart of Old Sodbury. The lane curves between cottages and the village green, and your accommodation soon appears, tucked close to the road. It is the kind of place where boots end up by the door, a glass appears in your hand and the evening quietly unfolds around you.

The walk from Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton/Wick is a peaceful yet enchanting stage of the Cotswold Way. This route offers a beautiful variety of rolling landscapes, grand estates, and characterful villages, making it ideal for walkers seeking tranquility, open space, and a touch of history.

You begin the day with a relaxed walk from Old Sodbury, and soon enter the expansive Dodington Park, an impressive 18th-century estate once designed by the famous landscape architect Capability Brown. With its ancient trees and park-like setting, it provides a picturesque start to the stage.

The route continues along rural paths to the idyllic village of Tormarton, where time seems to stand still. It's a lovely place to pause for a break by the village pond or the small church. From there, the path leads you through Dyrham Woods, offering peaceful, shaded woodland sections.

One of the highlights along the way is the view over Dyrham Park, a majestic National Trust estate known for its baroque architecture, vast deer park, and formal gardens. While you don’t enter the estate, you will enjoy an excellent view from the trail above. The day ends in Cold Ashton or Wick.

The final stage of the Cotswold Way is a beautiful and symbolic conclusion to this iconic long-distance walk. From the peaceful and rural Cold Ashton/Wick, you make your way over rolling hills, through quiet woodlands, and past historic landmarks toward the elegant city of Bath, where you can end your journey in style.

The route begins with a relaxed walk through meadows and small wooded areas, followed by a descent toward the historic battlefield of Lansdown. From there, you gradually climb uphill and are rewarded with sweeping views over the surrounding landscape.

A special moment is the view from Prospect Stile, where you catch your first glimpse of Bath nestled in the valley, a breathtaking sight after days of walking through nature.

After one final descent, you eventually reach the center of Bath. Here, among Roman baths and elegant Georgian buildings, you can celebrate your well-earned arrival.