Meander picture-perfect England on the Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way passes through a series of postcard-perfect villages and historic towns. Highlights include Chipping Campden, a charming market town with honey-coloured stone buildings; Broadway, known for its beautiful high street and arts heritage; and Painswick, often called the “Queen of the Cotswolds”. The full-length trail ends (or begins) in the elegant city of Bath, famous for its Roman baths and Georgian architecture.

Our specially-designed 189km walking itinerary on the Cotswold Way begins in Stratford-upon-Avon, and takes hikers through quintessential England, passing through many villages including medieval Chipping Campden. The journey concludes in the World Heritage Listed town of Bath. We offer flexible itineraries to suit your fitness level and timeframe. Walk the full length on our 13-day self-guided itinerary or choose the South Cotswolds (8 days) or North Cotswolds (7 days). 

RAW Travel offers many rewarding walking holidays in the UK. Take on the challenge of walking across England on the iconic Coast to Coast Walk, discover ancient history along Hadrian’s Wall, explore the heart of England’s countryside on the South Downs Way, or walk England’s longest scenic trail, the South West Coast Path. For a Scottish island adventure, try the scenic Arran Coastal Way.

On all our trips, you’ll enjoy first-hand advice from our hiking experts, along with seamless luggage transfers, excellent handpicked accommodation, unrivalled resources and the best local support in-country.

The Cotwold Way is considered moderate in difficulty and suited to reasonably fit walkers. It offers a gentle stroll that is largely undemanding. The occasional tougher ascents reward walkers with lovely viewpoints, and the effort is well worth it. You’ll finish each day in a charming village where you can experience the local food, drink, arts and crafts.

May to September are the most popular times to walk the Cotswold Way. These months are often the busiest with walkers, so it’s essential to book your trip well ahead of your intended departure date to ensure we can book you the best accommodation at every intended stop. May and June offer the best times to see the wildflowers. Once you are into summer, the days can be gloriously long, with light from 5am to 10pm and plenty of daylight to complete each day’s walk at a leisurely pace. July and August get very busy in the towns though not necessarily on the rest of the walk.

The North and South Cotswolds walks each offer their own unique charm. The North Cotswolds route takes you from Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon to the village of Painswick, with a focus on literary history, charming market towns, and gastro pubs. Meanwhile, the South Cotswolds walk continues from Painswick to Bath, passing through butterfly reserves, ancient sites like Belas Knap, and finishing in the elegant Georgian city of Bath. Both are self-guided and moderate in difficulty, and showcase the region’s unique architecture and charming countryside.

The Cotswolds has a rich and layered history that stretches back thousands of years. The region was first settled in prehistoric times, with Neolithic burial mounds like Belas Knap still visible today. During the Roman era, the area became a key part of Roman Britain, with nearby Bath serving as an important Roman spa town.

In the medieval period, the Cotswolds flourished thanks to the wool trade, becoming one of the wealthiest regions in England. This prosperity led to the creation of the iconic honey-stone towns, grand churches known as “wool churches,” and bustling market towns.

Today, the Cotswolds is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, prized for its timeless landscapes, historic towns, and well-preserved architecture that reflect centuries of cultural and economic evolution.