The Cotswolds might be one of the most famous natural scenic areas of Great Britain. For most people, when thinking about England, the old stone Cotswold houses and glowy, rolling hills come to mind. Walking the Cotswold way is on top of the bucket lists of many hikers, and they are right to have put it there.
On this 4-day walk, you will start in Painswick and work your way down south to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath (nearby Bristol). In the beginning, you will spend your way walking through the tiny villages, but it won’t be long before you smell the wild flowers in the English meadows or wander around the beech tree forest. The endpoint of the Cotswold Way is the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath. Here, you will find the beautiful Roman Thermal Spas that mark the beginning of the history of the city.
The stage begins with a steep descent from Painswick, crosses the Wash Brook, and climbs up to open grassland and heathland areas such as Edge Common.
You then descend through wooded sections, passing by the ancient fort at Haresfield Beacon, until you approach the wide Stroud Valley. From there, the trail continues to Stonehouse, a historic village with roots dating back to the Domesday Book.
Enjoy the rich blend of history, panoramic views, and the quintessential Cotswold landscape along this beautiful stage. Be mindful of the occasionally steep terrain, but let yourself be surprised by the beauty along the way!
This stage of the Cotswold Way is a beautiful and varied walk, full of views, woodlands, and history. From Stonehouse, you quickly leave the bustle behind as you follow country lanes and quiet forest paths. You wind your way through Westridge Woods, where tall deciduous trees provide a wonderfully green and peaceful start to the day.
As the walk continues, the path begins to climb, and before long you find yourself on the famous Cotswold escarpment, a long ridge offering spectacular views over the Severn Valley. You pass through meadows and open fields, with the silhouette of the impressive Tyndale Monument near North Nibley visible in the distance. This tower is not only a historic tribute to Bible translator William Tyndale, but also a fantastic spot for a break, the view from the top is well worth the climb.
The final part of the route takes you across gently rolling hills and through small woodlands, until you eventually arrive in the charming town of Wotton-under-Edge. This characterful market town welcomes you with its stone cottages, tearooms, and relaxed atmosphere, a lovely place to unwind after a rewarding day of walking.
This varied stage takes you from the charming town of Wotton-under-Edge to the peaceful village of Old Sodbury.
You begin with a climb to the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, where you're rewarded with beautiful views. The route continues through open fields, woodlands, and past the village of Alderley. You then pass the historic Little Sodbury, known for its medieval church where William Tyndale may have once worked.
One of the highlights is the impressive Old Sodbury Hill Fort, offering panoramic views over the Severn Valley. The day ends in Old Sodbury, where you can relax at a local pub or B&B.
This final stage of the Cotswold Way is a beautiful conclusion to the route. The walk takes you from the rural village of Old Sodbury to the grand city of Bath, offering a lovely mix of nature, history, and wide-reaching views along the way.
From Old Sodbury, you walk through gently rolling countryside toward Dodington Park, an impressive estate surrounded by ancient trees and landscaped gardens. You follow peaceful paths through fields, hedgerows, and woodlands, passing through villages like Tormarton and Cold Ashton, where time seems to have stood still. Along the way, you pass the historic Battlefield of Lansdown, with panoramic views over the valley and the city of Bath on the horizon.
After a final descent, you eventually reach the centre of Bath. Here, surrounded by Roman baths and elegant Georgian architecture, you can celebrate your well-earned arrival.
