The best walks in the Cotswolds in 2023

Almost 800 square miles of rolling hills, charming English towns and historic landmarks make the Cotswolds an ever-appealing destination for a UK staycation.

Covering five counties including Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire, the area has become known for its range of ‘traditional English’ attractions, from Blenheim Palace and Warwick Castle to ‘proper’ pubs and villages built with Cotswold stone.

You could spend dozens of trips visiting towns such as Cheltenham or Witney, but one of the area’s undeniable selling points is its range of long walks. Much of the region is rural, with over 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways to potentially explore.

To help you in the search for your perfect Cotswolds walk, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best routes; simply combine them with castle tours and strolls around sleepy villages for a quintessentially English getaway.

The Cotswold Way

The region’s defining walk is a 102-mile long route that begins in the picturesque town of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire. Stretching all the way to Bath, this National Trail is broken into 15 different stages, ranging from 4.7 to 10.2 miles. From the start point, the route takes in towns and villages such as Broadway, Wood Stanley and Dursley, as well as natural landmarks such as Cleeve Hill, Coaley Peak and Crickley Hill.

Many of the most popular walks in the area follow at least part of the Cotswold Way, so for anyone who doesn’t fancy the entire 100-mile challenge, there are various great options for scenic walks (some of which are below). For a mix of quaint towns, small cities and pleasant views, we recommend the sections between Cleeve Hill and Dowdeswell and Cold Ashton to Bath.

Where to stay

The Yard hotel in Bath, less than half a mile from the Abbey and the Roman Baths, boasts its own courtyard and wine bar.