Best of the Cotswolds Self-Guided Walk

Experience Overview

This distinctive stone is quarried and used in the construction of the golden-coloured local buildings and gives the stone-built villages of the Cotswolds a beautiful and quintissentially 'English' look. This 8-night walking holiday takes you through some of the finest North Cotswold villages with shorter walking days, allowing the maximum time to explore the villages and walk at a relaxed pace. Your route includes visits to some of the best-known towns and villages in the region including Broadway, Chipping Campden and Guiting Power as well as the Saxon capital of Winchcombe and the nearby Sudeley Castle, the last resting place of Henry VIII's sixth wife, Katherine Parr. Enjoy the rolling Cotswolds countryside, riverside walks and some stunning horticultural gems in the gardens of National Trust manor houses, such as Kiftsgate or Hidcote.
Profile
— 8 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation — Full English Breakfasts — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — Route directions and maps — Luggage transfers
At a Glance
— 8 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation — Full English Breakfasts — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — Route directions and maps — Luggage transfers
Trip For You
Walking Conditions Classification: Self-Guided Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely) Average daily distance: 12.5km (7.8 miles) No. of days walking: 7 Terrain and route: Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Eating Drinking
Enjoy the local cuisine in quintessentially British pubs, cafes and delicatessens - local delicacies include Cerney Ash or Stinking Bishop cheeses, Crackleberry Farm eggs, Cotswold Cream liqueur and the local ales - try the Yubby beer from the Yubberton Brewery Co. There's also the archetypal English Cream Teas that go down a treat with a nice hot cup of tea!
Transportation
Single supplements and Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date) will apply, please ask us for details.
Joining Instructions
This holiday does not include any flights or rail. Please make your way to the first hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Transfer Details
No transfers are included in the standard itinerary however if you require transfers to and from local train stations we can arrange these (payable locally).
When to Go
This trip is possible year round, however due to the English weather, it is recommended to go between April and October. The Cotswolds can get very busy in the main summer tourist season of mid-July through to the end of August.
Weather Information
The Cotswolds has a temperate maritime climate with warm, rather than hot, summers and cool to cold winters. The hottest month, on average, is July and the coldest is January with rain falling fairly evenly throughout the year. The weather is unpredictable as with the rest of the UK and it is possible to see elements of all four seasons in one day. It is advisable for visitors to check the weather forecast before they arrive in the Cotswolds to get a better idea of the sort of clothing they will need during their trip. Bringing hooded waterproof coats and hats will ensure visitors are prepared for any spells of wind and rain the region may experience. Spring: The climate is milder in spring making it a good time to visit the Cotswolds. There can be some great sunny days mixed with cooler and wet weather. From March to May the average daytime temperatures are between 9°C and 17°C. Summer: Most days in summer range from mild to warm with the possibility of some infrequent hotter days, the days are at their longest in the summer. There may be overcast and humid conditions in the summer. From June to August the average daytime temperatures are between 19°C and 22°C. Autumn: The climate can vary from some pleasantly mild days particularly at the start of September to cooler and colder days in October and November. Autumn is a good time to visit the Cotswolds as it avoids the peak summer season whilst enjoying milder temperatures and longer hours of daylight particularly at the start of September. Visitors can see some wonderful autumn colours. From September to November the average daytime temperatures are between 9°C and 19°C.
Spending Money
All breakfasts are included, so you will need spending money for any picnics, lunches, evening meals and drinks. There is a good choice of cafes, pubs and restaurants on the routes as well as in the overnight towns and villages. Prices range from approximately £5-10 for lunch and you could pay between £15-30 for dinner, depending on where you decide to eat.

Highlights