A Visitor’s Guide To The Cotswold Way

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 Scenic 102-Mile Trail In The Cotswolds

After your day out in Cheltenham, pay a visit to The Fleet Inn near Tewkesbury and see what award-winning Butcombe beers we have available before you rest your head in one of our three boutique ensuite 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 Fleet Inn

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 near to The Fleet Inn, making it the ideal place to stop for a drink, lunch and dinner – or to stay the night.

Broadway And The Tower

This walk is approximately 4 miles long and will take most walkers around 3 hours to complete. You will enjoy the wonderful views towards Wales when at Broadway Tower, though the historic high street of Broadway itself is equally as spectacular.

This isn’t an easy route, encountering some steep and muddy sections along the way, therefore isn’t suitable for novice walkers.

Stanton, Snowshill And The Edge

This walk is around 6 miles long and takes most walkers between 4-5 hours to complete. Stanton and Snowshill are both sleepy villages in the Cotswolds and you will walk between them while negotiating hills, valleys, woodlands and steep slopes.

As this can be quite a daunting walk, there is a shortcut that reduces the distance to approximately 3 miles and the duration to between 2-2.5 hours.

After wet weather, you will almost certainly encounter muddy conditions, so make sure you bring appropriate footwear.

Winchcombe And Belas Knap

This walk is approximately 5 miles long and will take most walkers around 4 hours to complete. Starting in the picturesque Cotswold town of Winchcombe, you will enjoy the unspoilt beauty before climbing up to Belas Knap and realising for yourself why so much fascination surrounds this ancient monument.

A shortcut exists for this walk, reducing the distance to around 3.5 miles and the duration to 3 hours or so.

The Cleeve Hill Ring

This walk is around 6 miles long and takes most walkers between 4-5 hours to complete. This walk takes you across Cleeve Common, home to some of the finest limestone grassland in the Cotswolds. You will also pass through woodlands, over (or through) streams and across the hills.

The shortcut for this walk reduces the distance to approximately 4 miles and the duration to about 3 hours.

The Leckhampton Loop

This walk is approximately 4.5 miles long and will take most walkers around 3 hours to complete. With ancient remains and Victorian quarries to take in, this particular route offers a Cotswold experience like no other.

There is no shortcut for this walk and it does contain some steep sections, so may not be suitable for novice walkers.

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 the Cotswolds)
  • 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 the Cotswolds 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 Fleet Inn or one of our other hotels in the Cotswolds
Things To See Along The Cotswold Way

There are plenty of attractions along the Cotswold Way for you to see.

If you choose to start at Chipping Camden, stop by Hidcote Manor, a National Trust Property with stunning gardens.

Some other must-visits at the top of the Cotswold Way are Dovers Hill and its spectacular views or Broadway Tower (which is close to The Fleet Inn, meaning you can stop for a pint of award-winning Butcombe beer and a classic pub lunch!)

For history buffs, the Great Witcombe Roman Villa is an essential attraction to visit, or for something a little different, stop by Coopers Hill, where the famous annual Cheese Rolling takes place each May.

Where To Stay On The Cotswold Way?

The Fleet Inn is a classic Cotswold pub and boutique hotel, complete with open fires, vaulted ceilings and a traditional rustic pub charm.

Rest easy in one of our 3 individually-styled, comfortable rooms after you’ve trekked across the Cotswold Way, and treat yourself to some delicious seasonal pub food and a pint of award-winning Butcombe beer.

We’re also dog-friendly in our restaurant and hotel, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend during your Cotswold Way walking holiday.

Book your room in the Cotswolds today