Cotswold Way is growing in popularity and is one of the official UK National Trails. For good reason: the hike has that quintessential British charm and plenty of historic sites to visit along the way. The route is accessible and not too challenging for most hikers, which makes it a great choice for beginners. My goal here is to give you a copy-paste ready plan for hiking the Cotswold Way - so you can tweak it to your own needs instead of building everything from scratch.
The overall plan: 8 days, 160 km
The plan is to hike the Cotswold Way in 8 days. That gives you enough time to walk the full trail and still slow down to explore the towns and villages along the way. We'll start in Chipping Campden and finish in Bath - this southbound direction is the most popular, mostly because the logistics are easier once you reach the end. With this plan you'll hike about 20 km per day, which is a doable distance for most hikers. We'll be staying in inns and hotels along the way for extra comfort and the cultural experience (I'll recommend hotels along the way, however you can always browse all options here). You can of course completely tailor your hike to fit your own needs - the official UK National Trail description divides the trail into 15 stages, while with this plan we simply combine some of those stages to create fuller hiking days.
Depending on your arrival time, you might want to spend a night in Chipping Campden and start your hike the next morning. This is my recommendation if you arrive in the afternoon or evening, so you don't have to rush straight onto the trail. Chipping Campden is a destination in itself, so take an afternoon to stroll through town and get your photos by the market hall on the high street. For a little afternoon tea (or coffee), I recommend The Bromley's of Cotswolds.
Stay for the night
Volunteer Inn
£££Volunteer Inn is a 17th-century pub in Chipping Campden with character and history. The inn is ideally located at the start of the Cotswold Way, providing spacious rooms. Guests appreciate the comfortable stay, friendly staff, and good breakfast options. Clean facilities and a homely atmosphere are noted.
Day 1: Chipping Campden to Stanton (16.5 km)
Enjoy the moment when you step out in the high-street of Chipping Campden, taking your first steps on your Cotswold Way hike in the quiet morning energy. It doesn't take long before you're out in the fields, climbing gently onto the Cotswold escarpment. This first day is a perfect warm-up: open farmland, beech woods, and wide views back across the Vale of Evesham. Dover's Hill is an early highlight - your first of many great viewpoints. This part of the trail is easy and will be a gentle start giving you a chance to get into hiking-mode.
You'll enter Broadway approximately halfway through the day. Take some time to explore the town - you'll finde both restaurants, coffee shops and supermarkets to fuel up. As you approach end of the day you will enter Stanton. It will not disappoint you - with its immaculate stone cottages and village green, is as postcard-perfect a first stop as you could ask for. My recommendation is to stay in Stanton overnight, but due to limited options you might consider staying in Broadway (Russel's or Crown and Trumpet Inn are good options) instead and add some more kilometers to tomorrow's hike.
Stay for the night
Shenberrow B&B
£££Cozy small B&B (only option in Stanton) run by the couple Michael & Angela Neilan. Shenberrow offers true British charm - expect very tastefully decorated rooms, great facilities and overall a good countryside atmosphere.
Day 2: Stanton to Cleeve Hill (22.1 km)
Destination for the day is Cleeve Hill. A short walk across fields and a small stream crossing will take you to Stanway house which is a Jacobean manor house and that is famous for itswater gardens, most notably the single-jet fountain that reaches over 300 ft (≈91 m) high - the tallest fountain in Britain. If you plan to visit, check their website for opening hours and ticket prices (approx. £12).
Shortly after you walk straight through the village of Wood Stanway before a steep climb up up onto the escarpment. On the descent be you will pass two great sights: Cromwell's Seat and and Hailes Abbey. Cromwell's Seat is one of those places where you feel the winds of history - it is said to be the spot where Oliver Cromwell and his observed the demolition of Hailes Abbey (associated with The Dissolution of the Monasteries). Afterards you have a chance to see the ruins of Hailes Abbey. The abbey was founded in 1188 and is one of the most beautiful and complete examples of a Cistercian abbey in the Cotswolds.
Finally you reach the charming town of Winchcombe - not a bad place for a small break. The trail then departs from Winchcombe via the Sudeley Estate, ascending gradually along field paths to the ancient Neolithic long barrow at Belas Knap. It then descends steeply through Breakheart Plantation, passing Postlip Hall (a heartwarming community of families sharing an old estate home), before climbing once more to the clubhouse at Cleeve Hill Golf Club (be on the lookout for flying golf balls!).
Stay for the night
Rising Sun Hotel
£££The Rising Sun is located near the highest point in the Cotswolds, Cleeve Hill. It features a restaurant, bar, and heated garden terrace serving modern and traditional British dishes. Guests have access to free Wi-Fi, and many rooms offer scenic views across the countryside.
Day 3: Cleeve Hill to Birdlip (20.4 km)
Setting off from Cleeve Hill, you're literally walking along the highest point of the whole Cotswold Way - not a bad place to start. The trail rolls south across open common land with huge views over Cheltenham and way beyond on a clear day. You'll wander past Bill Smylie's butterfly reserve, drift along a few quiet country lanes, and then ease into a steady descent through Dowdeswell Wood. Down at the reservoir it feels peaceful and tucked away. It's mostly downhill on this stretch, so you can just relax, enjoy and enable cruise-control mode.
From Dowdeswell, things get a bit more up-and-down. The path slips into Lineover Wood, a lovely mix of broadleaved trees, including big old beeches and large-leaved limes that give it that proper ancient woodland vibe. Then it's a climb up toward Wistley Plantation, across open farmland, and down near Seven Springs - which some people like to claim as the source of the Thames. After that, it's back to climbing as you head onto Charlton Kings Common, where the views really open up again across Cheltenham and the Severn Vale. Stick with the escarpment and you'll reach Leckhampton Hill - keep an eye out for the dramatic rock pillar called the Devil's Chimney.
Leaving Leckhampton Hill behind, the trail settles into quieter tracks towards Crickley Hill Country Park. There are brilliant viewpoints here, plus little hints of history from the archaeological finds scattered around the area. From there, you cross the rolling grassland of Barrow Wake before dipping back into woodland and eventually popping out at Birdlip. It's a varied stretch - open skies, shady trees, and loads of scenery - and a really satisfying way to finish the day.
Stay for the night
Royal George Hotel
£££Set in Birdlip village, Royal George Hotel features free WiFi and serves food throughout the day until 22:00. Rooms include satellite TVs and tea/coffee facilities; some open onto the garden. Guests can dine outdoors or enjoy live music events. The hotel is noted for its friendly staff and hearty breakfast.
Day 4: Birdlip to Painswick (11.7 km)
Leaving Birdlip, the trail slips into beautiful beech woodland. Before long you'll reach Cooper's Hill, famous (or slightly infamous) for its annual cheese-rolling chaos every Spring Bank Holiday. The event can be explained as simply as people sprinting down the steep slope after a wheel of cheese. Here is a good short read about it (hint: you don't need to sign up to participate!). A few kilometres further you will reach Painswick Beacon, a great spot to pause, grab a drink, and feel quietly pleased with your progress. You can still clearly see the earthwork ramparts of the old Iron Age hill fort up here, which adds a bit of drama to the already big views. After that it's mostly downhill as you head into the town of Painswick - the halfway point on the Cotswold Way. With its stone cottages and the lovely Painswick Rococo Garden. You made it - and with nearly twice as much descent as ascent on this stretch, your legs might be pretty happy too.
Stay for the night
Troy House
£££Troy House in Painswick offers a bed and breakfast experience with amenities including free WiFi and private bathrooms. Guests mention the friendly host and the delicious breakfast. Located near Kingsholm Stadium and Cotswold Water Park.
Day 5: Painswick to King's Stanley (14.5 km)
Leaving Painswick, the trail drops you down into the valley to cross Wash Brook before making you earn your next set of views with a steady climb up to Edge Common. It's open grassland up here, with lovely backwards views over Painswick - always satisfying to see where you've just come from. After that, you're back under the trees for a while before popping out at Haresfield Beacon, an Iron Age hill fort with sweeping views along the escarpment and out towards the River Severn.
From there it's a gentler descent through Standish Woods, which in spring is full of bluebells and wood anemones - one of those stretches that makes you slow down without even realising. The path eventually spills out into open pasture as you enter the Stroud Valleys and reach the Stroudwater Navigation. Shortly after you arrive in the town of Kings Stanley. My recommended stay for the night, Greencourt Loft, is located just on the other side of King's Stanley.
Stay for the night
Greencourt Loft
£££Greencourt Loft in Stonehouse has spacious, pet-friendly rooms that come with private balconies and kitchenettes. Guests can access a sun terrace, outdoor seating, and free WiFi. A variety of breakfast options are prepared ahead of arrival, and the loft is known for its helpful host and quiet location.
Day 6: King's Stanley to Wotton-under-Edge (19.6 km)
The section from King's Stanley to Dursley begins by heading through the village of Middleyard before climbing steadily into Pen Wood. From here, the Cotswold Way follows woodland paths along the edge of the escarpment, eventually emerging at Coaley Peak, a well-known picnic spot offering far-reaching views across the Severn Vale. The trail continues past a disused quarry, its exposed rock face clearly revealing layers of underlying strata, and then winds along another wooded track that opens into a valley. The ascent to the summit is short but steep, rewarded by magnificent 360-degree panoramas. The path then descends into the valley at Farfield and crosses farmland before arriving in the market town of Dursley.
Leaving Dursley, the Cotswold Way climbs sharply onto Stinchcombe Hill. The trail then drops through woodland into open farmland, following a track to the village of North Nibley. From there, a further steep climb leads up to the Tyndale Monument, which stands prominently above the surrounding countryside. Beyond the monument, the route levels out across grassy slopes and wooded stretches before reaching Wotton Hill. Passing a curious walled enclosure containing trees planted in 1815 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo, the trail finally descends into the historic town of Wotton-under-Edge.
Stay for the night
Swan Hotel
£££Located in Wotton under Edge, Swan Hotel has family rooms with private bathrooms and free WiFi. The restaurant serves British and local dishes and offers vegetarian and gluten-free options. Guests can relax at the bar or coffee shop. The staff is noted for being friendly and attentive, particularly during breakfast.
Day 7: Wotton-under-Edge to Tormarton (24.4 km)
Leaving Wotton-under-Edge, the Cotswold Way follows a little stream out of town before climbing back up onto the escarpment. You pass close to Newark Park, then drop down a lovely sunken woodland track into Alderley. Beyond that, it's a peaceful valley scattered with medieval ridge-and-furrow patterns, and a clear millstream running alongside the road near Lower Kilcott. A steady climb brings you to the Somerset Monument before the trail rolls on towards Hawkesbury Upton. It's a punchy stretch, with more climbing than descending overall.
From Hawkesbury Upton, you pass an old drover's pond and head south towards Horton. Just before Horton Court, probably England's oldest vicarage, the trail climbs to Horton Fort where big views open across the Severn Vale. Then it's farmland walking through Horton and Old Sodbury, before cutting through the sweeping parkland of Dodington Park and finally across a few last fields into Tormarton. A gentler section overall, and a nice one to stretch the legs.
Stay for the night
Crown Inn at Tolldown
£££Crown Inn at Tolldown offers stylish self-contained rooms and a restaurant featuring regional dishes. The hotel has easy access to Cotswold Way for hiking. Rooms have flat-screen TVs and tea/coffee facilities. Pets are allowed with amenities for them.
Day 8: Tormarton to Bath (27.0 km)
From Tormarton, the trail follows Marshfield Road before crossing open fields to the boundary of Dyrham Park, a grand William and Mary mansion set within an ancient deer park. It continues through Dyrham village, climbs through Dyrham Woods, and then crosses farmland to reach Cold Ashton.
From Cold Ashton, the Cotswold Way drops into the quiet valley of Lower Hamswell before rising to the Civil War site of Lansdown, where sculptures by David Michael Mores stand near Lansdown Golf Club. The trail then crosses open plateau, passing Little Down and Bath Racecourse, before revealing the first views of Bath at Prospect Stile. After passing through farmland and Weston, the walk becomes more urban, finishing at Bath Abbey, where a stone marker signals the end of the route. Bath has a vast amount of accommodation options, so you can easily find a place to stay for the night - my recommendation is to splash a little and celebrate your completed hike (noteworthy options are Harington's Boutique Hotel and Dukes Bath).
Stay for the night
Abbey Hotel Bath
£££Located in Bath, Abbey Hotel Bath is housed in a historic building just a short walk from Bath Abbey and The Roman Baths. Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and free WiFi. The restaurant serves British cuisine with various dietary options. Convenient amenities include tea and coffee makers, and hairdryers.
