Cotswold Way: Connecting Bath With The Cotswolds

The Cotswold Way walk is the best way to see what the Cotswolds has to offer and enjoy the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as it was meant to be enjoyed.

Whether you want to walk circular sections of the Cotswold Way, explore different parts of the Cotswolds with a linear walk, or you’re keen to get in the Cotswold Way Hall of Fame, we have everything you need to know about the Cotswold Way.

A Cotswold Walking Trail That Stretches For 102 Miles

After your day out in the Cotswolds, pay a visit to The Pig & Fiddle where you can see what Butcombe beer we have on tap or what delicious meals we have on the menu. Alternatively, you could pop next door to the Broad Street Townhouse to rest and relax in one of their boutique bedrooms.

How Long Does It Take To Walk The Cotswold Way?

If you want to tackle the entire 102-mile trail, it can take between 7-10 days, although if you’d prefer to visit a few sites, villages, or towns along the way, it could take longer.

However, if you’d rather walk part of the Cotswold Way, there are a range of circular walks for you to explore.

Cotswold Way Walks Near To The Pig & Fiddle

The Cotswold Way is a 100+ mile route through the Cotswolds. The most northern part of the walk is in the market town of Chipping Campden, while the most southern part is in the beautiful city of Bath. The general consensus is to start in the north and venture south, though many walkers believe that the scenery becomes more breathtaking the further north you go, so choose the south as their starting point.

Many of the Cotswold Way walks are within close proximity to the centre of Bath, making the Broad Street Townhouse and the Pig & Fiddle the perfect places to eat, drink and rest.

Old Sodbury - The Hillfort and Church

Old Sodbury is situated on the western edge of the Cotswolds, approximately 14 miles north of Bath. This circular walk is less than 3 miles long and should take most walkers less than 3 hours to complete.

Starting in Old Sodbury, you will take in the views of beautiful farmland as you climb up towards St John’s church. As you continue through the countryside enjoying the far-reaching views, you will come to an iron-age hillfort, which is known locally as Sodbury Camp.

For walkers following the Cotswold Way from north to south, you can continue from here towards the final leg of the Cotswold Way.

Journey's End - The Walk Into Bath

The final section of the Cotswold Way (when heading from north to south) begins in Lansdown, near to the Park & Ride.

This is a linear walk with a total distance of around 6 miles, of which the majority is downhill, so shouldn’t take much longer than 4 hours to complete.

You will take in the wonderful views from Kelston Round Hill as you descend into the city, where you will then start to see the beautiful Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent and The Circus.

Once you have reached the end of the trail at Bath Abbey, you are within 5 minutes walk of a refreshing drink or well-earned meal at the Pig & Fiddle, or your comfortable room at the Broad Street Townhouse.

What Do I Need To Bring To Walk The Cotswold Way?

If you’re planning to walk the entirety of the Cotswold Way, it’s best to bring a backpack with:

  • A first aid kit
  • A refillable water bottle (there are places to stop along the way to fill it up)
  • Light snacks (although you can stop at one of our friendly pubs in Bath)
  • Comfortable walking boots that can withstand some mud
  • Spare pairs of thick socks (in case your feet get wet)
  • A waterproof jacket to suit the weather
  • Sun cream, whether it’s warm or cold
  • Your smartphone – most of the Cotswolds has good phone signal, but not necessarily 4G, although you can stop by one of our pubs with WiFi in Bath if you want to stay connected
  • A tent and camping equipment, or, if you’d rather pack light and sleep on a comfy bed, book your room at The Broad Street Townhouse or one of our other hotels in Bath
Things To See Along The Cotswold Way

If you are travelling the Cotswold Way from north to south, approaching Bath means that your journey is coming to and end.

That doesn’t mean that the wonderful views and scenery is over though, as there is still plenty of beautiful countryside to take in as you pass the church and hillfort in Old Sodbury, or the stunning panoramic views over Bath and beyond from Kelston Round Hill.

As you reach the end of the Cotswold Way, you will be on the doorstep of Bath Abbey. You will be able to see the world-famous Roman Baths, the beautiful Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent and the wonderful design of Pulteney Bridge.

Where To Stay On The Cotswold Way?

Our sister venue, The Broad Street Townhouse, is an award-winning Grade-II listed boutique hotel, situated in the heart of historic Bath.

Rest easy in one of their 11 boutique bedrooms after you have trekked the Cotswold Way, or visit us next door in the Pig & Fiddle for some delicious seasonal pub food and a pint of award-winning Butcombe beer.

Book your room in Bath city centre today