North Cotswolds

Make your way to the flower-filled medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Explore its Shakespeare theme with a visit to Sharespeare’s Birthplace and his wife Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Depending on timing, you may be able to take in a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. You can also visit the Holy Trinity Church, Shakespeare’s final resting place.

Today you begin your Cotswold adventure beginning with a short walk along the River Avon and following the Monarch’s Way to Chipping Campden. At the end, you will find a tiny historic market town with stunning examples of Cotswold stone craftsmanship and a history steeped in wool trading. Chipping Campden is extraordinarily beautiful and one of the loveliest Cotswolds villages, so try to make time to savour the numerous tea shops, attractive high street stores and storybook cottages.

Total ascent: 194m / descent 93m

Meals: B

Today you will walk up and along the Cotswold escarpment. Take in the lovely views over splendid countryside from Dovers Hill. The walk takes you past Broadway Tower, a folly built in 1799. Here you’re at the second highest point of the walk (312m). Enjoy a break at the cafe, before continuing to Stanton through stunning countryside with rolling sheep-filled farmland and pretty barns. Idyllic honey-coloured Stanton remains almost unchanged for over 300 years and has been described as the ‘most ridiculously beautiful’ village in the Cotswolds.

Total ascent: 405m / descent 400m

Meals: B

Walk through lovely meadowland before passing the grand 16th-century Stanway House. It’s hidden from view behind golden stone walls, but famous for its stately Jacobean gatehouse. The path begins a steady climb with respite found at the wonderfully-named Pinky Dickins bench before following the escarpment to Beckbury Camp — an Iron Age hill fort. The trail passes the ruins of 13th-century Hailes Abbey. This was once a pilgrimage destination before being destroyed under the reign of Henry VIII. From here, descend into bustling Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle before the path rises on gentle trails to the highest point (325m) of the walk at Cleeve Hill Common. Here you can look out to the River Severn and Wales. You will also pass by Belas Knap, an interesting Neolithic ancient burial mound with four chambers. It’s a worthwhile place to take a break.

Total ascent: 575m / Descent 370m

Meals: B

The trail continues along the Cotswold escarpment with highlights including gorgeous views over spa town Cheltenham and beyond. Enjoy glorious woodland walking surrounded by bluebells, wild garlic and ancient beech trees. You will also find two designated reserves harbouring rare butterflies. Near Leckhampton, keep a lookout for the distinctive limestone rock formation known as the Devil’s Chimney. As you near Birdlip you’ll pass Crickley Hill and Barrow Wake, a ‘biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest‘, which embraces an abundance of orchids, flowers, herbs, butterflies, snails and moths.

Total ascent: 595m / descent 615m

Meals: B

The trail descends from Birdlip through beautiful beech woodlands before climbing to Coopers Hill. This hill is famous for its annual cheese-rolling event. Fun facts — the event dates back to the 1700s, and the cheese rolls down the hill at approximately 70kph. The path leads to Painswick Beacon where there are the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. Historic Painswick is often referred to as “The Queen of the Cotswolds”. This town is one of the best-preserved villages in the Cotswolds and famous for its Rococo Gardens and 99 yew trees surrounding St Mary’s church. According to legend, should a 100th tree grow, the Devil would pull it out.

Total ascent: 575m / descent 685m

Meals: B

Today your Cotswold Way adventure ends after breakfast. You may wish to consider extending your stay to further explore this charming area.

Meals: B

• 6 nights in quintessential Cotswold accommodation including small hotels and B&Bs
• Daily breakfast including fresh fruits, yoghurt, cereals and/or a hearty, cooked English breakfast to support your day on the trail
• Pack-free walking with luggage transfers on each hiking day (1 x 20kg bag per person)
• Comprehensive information pack including detailed walk notes, map, luggage tag and laptop case
• 24/7 support from our UK-based RAW Travel staff member
• Pre-trip guidance and planning from experienced and dedicated RAW Travel Destination Experts
• Hassle-free walking with exclusive use of RAW Travel’s specifically designed navigational hiking App

• Single supplement $690
• Travel insurance
• Flights
• Lunch and dinners