I don’t suppose I’ll ever overlook the sensation of standing at first of the Cotswold Approach within the golden village of Chipping Campden. Early morning mist hugged the rooftops, and for a second, the entire world felt hushed—prefer it was holding its breath proper together with me.
Might I actually stroll 100 miles throughout England’s countryside? Was I prepared for the hills, the rain, the blisters?
I used to be nervous. However as I tightened the straps on my backpack and took these first steps previous the outdated market corridor, one thing shifted. I wasn’t simply beginning a stroll; I used to be stepping right into a story—a winding path by means of historical past, nature, and, honestly, myself.
P.S. my favourite locations within the Cotswolds are right here!
Over the subsequent ten days, I wandered by means of historical woodlands, climbed as much as sweeping escarpments with views that made me cease in my tracks, and ended every day in villages so charming it nearly felt like I had wandered onto a film set. There have been powerful climbs and muddy boots, sure, but in addition these quiet, golden moments that stitched themselves into my reminiscence: a deer darting by means of a misty area, the clink of a pub doorbell as I stumbled in for a much-needed pint, an area pointing me down an overgrown path with a smile and a “You will love this bit.”
Strolling the Cotswold Approach was a lot greater than only a hike. It was a journey—and one I’ll treasure for the remainder of my life.
Should you’re dreaming of taking over this path, whether or not subsequent month or “in the future,” that is your pleasant information to what it’s actually wish to stroll the Cotswold Approach. (And if you’d like each step mapped out, with my full every day itinerary, lodge suggestions, and insider ideas, you possibly can take a look at my detailed information right here!
What’s the Cotswold Approach?
The Cotswold Approach is a Nationwide Path in southwest England that runs about 102 miles (164 km) from Chipping Campden to Bathtub.
The Cotswold Approach is without doubt one of the official Nationwide Trails within the UK—a group of long-distance paths specifically designated for his or her pure magnificence, cultural significance, and historic significance.
It travels by means of the Cotswolds Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence, well-known for its rolling hills, historical stone villages, sheep-dotted fields, and storybook surroundings. Alongside the best way, you’ll go castles, battlefields, Neolithic burial grounds, and landscapes that look nearly too stunning to be actual.
The Cotswold Approach isn’t about velocity; it’s about soaking all of it in, one footstep at a time.
It looks like strolling by means of a narrative guide!
My Private Journey Strolling England’s Cotswold Approach
In Might 2024 I made a decision to stroll the Cotswold Approach.
To not be dramatic right here but it surely modified my life.
I used to be residing in Oxford, England and was feeling burdened and obese. I instructed my husband and he made me an in depth 4 month coaching plan. I began coaching and maintaining a healthy diet. I fell in LOVE with strolling. I misplaced 30 kilos earlier than the hike and found a deep love of the countryside and strolling.
Here is the precise coaching program I adopted.
This coaching is not simple, it is demanding. Nevertheless it made the stroll itself so so so great. I really ended up strolling 131 miles as a result of I did all the additional facet journeys as a result of I felt SO good.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Stroll the Cotswold Approach?
Most individuals take between 7 and 10 days to finish the path, although ultra-marathon varieties would possibly sort out it sooner.
👉 If you wish to benefit from the journey—stopping for cream teas, fortress visits, and lengthy pub lunches—I extremely advocate giving your self round 10 days.
How lengthy it takes to stroll the Cotswold Approach actually will depend on two issues: how a lot you wish to stroll every day, and the way a lot you wish to discover past the path itself.
Most individuals full the Cotswold Approach in 7 to 10 days.
- Should you’re aiming for a sooner tempo and do not thoughts lengthy strolling days, you possibly can end in 7 or 8 days (averaging 13–16 miles per day).
- If, like me, you need time to soak all of it in—to wander by means of villages, go to castles, cease for leisurely lunches, and perhaps sit on the occasional bench simply to benefit from the view—you will need nearer to 10 days.
I selected the slower, savor-everything route and walked the Cotswold Approach over 10 days. And whereas the official path itself is 102 miles, by the tip of my journey, my GPS tracker confirmed that I had walked 131 miles whole!
Why the additional miles?
Effectively, among the finest elements of strolling the Cotswold Approach is that you simply’re by no means removed from one thing price detouring for. I ended up taking facet journeys to discover castles, historic websites, hilltop monuments, and naturally, charming villages barely off the principle path. I couldn’t resist visiting locations like Sudeley Citadel in Winchcombe and Horton Courtroom, a wonderful medieval manor home—and each additional step was completely price it.
A couple of issues that added miles for me:
- Wandering by means of cities like Painswick, Winchcombe, and Wotton-under-Edge
- Taking scenic detours to castles and monuments
- Strolling to and from lodging after they have been just a little off the official route
- Exploring viewpoints and nation pubs (priorities!)
So whereas the official distance is simply over 100 miles, it is good to plan for just a little additional, particularly in the event you’re something like me and might’t resist an excellent facet quest.
My recommendation:
- Give your self a little bit of respiration room along with your itinerary.
- Construct in time for facet adventures—you’ll need it!
- Keep in mind, it isn’t nearly reaching Bathtub on the finish; it is about all the pieces you expertise alongside the best way.
And actually? These additional miles ended up being a few of the most magical elements of my journey.
Belief me: your toes (and your soul) will thanks.
How Tough is the Cotswold Approach?
The Cotswold Approach is rated average. It’s not a technical path—no scrambling or mountaineering required—but it surely’s hillier than you would possibly count on.
Every day brings a mixture of steep climbs, mild fields, wooded paths, and the occasional rocky patch after rain. A few of these hills aren’t any joke, however the excellent news? Each climb comes with a view well worth the effort.
Fast information:
- Terrain: rolling hills, farm tracks, woodland, nation roads
- Elevation: over 8,000 toes (2,400 meters) of whole ascent
- Navigation: well-marked with the acorn image, however having a map or mountain climbing app is sensible (I used AllTrails app!)
Personally I had no points. No blisters. No issues. I felt nice on a regular basis. And I do know that’s as a result of I educated. And the coaching was enjoyable! I additionally had these mountain climbing boots which I extremely advocate.
Finest Time to Stroll the Cotswold Approach
Whilst you can stroll the path year-round, spring and autumn are pure magic.
- Spring (April–June): Contemporary blooms, new child lambs, longer days.
- Summer season (July–August): Heat, lush, however busier with vacationers.
- Autumn (September–October): Fiery foliage, crisp air, cozy pub evenings.
- Winter (November–March): Quiet however muddy, with quick daylight.
I walked in early October, and it felt just like the panorama had was a portray—golden fields, rusty crimson timber, and mushy mist hanging over the hills every morning.
What to Pack for Strolling the Cotswold Approach
Packing correctly makes an enormous distinction. You don’t want a large pack weighing you down, however you do want just a few necessities:
All the things I like to recommend to hike with right here.
Should you use a baggage switch service, you’ll solely want to hold your day necessities, which makes the stroll a lot simpler and extra pleasant. I element out all the baggage switch companies and locations I stayed alongside the best way right here.
The place to Keep Alongside the Cotswold Approach
There’s one thing so rewarding about ending an extended strolling day and checking into a comfortable inn or B&B.
Lodging choices alongside the path embrace:
- Nation inns with roaring fireplaces
- Mattress and breakfasts providing full English breakfasts
- Boutique inns in historic cities
- Farm stays with fields stretching out for miles
I record each single place I stayed right here!
Vital tip: Guide early, particularly in peak seasons! A few of the smaller villages have very restricted lodging choices.
My Video Diary of Strolling the Cotswold Approach
I catalogued my journey of strolling the Cotswold Approach on Instagram so you possibly can see what every day was actually like!
My 10-Day Cotswold Approach Itinerary (At a Look)
Right here’s a fast have a look at how I broke down my stroll. (Full particulars are in my paid information!) See my favourite villages within the Cotswolds, right here!
Day 1: Chipping Campden to Broadway (8 miles)
Spotlight: Climbing as much as Broadway Tower with panoramic views throughout Worcestershire and the Malverns.
Day 2: Broadway to Winchcombe (15.5 miles)
Spotlight: Exploring the charming city of Winchcombe, with its medieval streets and close by Sudeley Citadel.
Day 3: Winchcombe to Cheltenham (11 miles)
Spotlight: Strolling alongside the dramatic escarpment with sweeping views and arriving within the spa city of Cheltenham.
Day 4: Cheltenham to Birdlip (12 miles)
Spotlight: Quiet countryside trails resulting in Crickley Hill, an historical hillfort with breathtaking views.
Day 5: Birdlip to Painswick (10 miles)
Spotlight: Seeing the well-known 99 yew timber at St Mary’s Church within the “Queen of the Cotswolds.”
Day 6: Painswick to Stonehouse (10 miles)
Spotlight: Strolling by means of sun-dappled woodlands and arriving at a historic lodge talked about within the Domesday Guide.
Day 7: Stonehouse to Wotton-under-Edge (13.5 miles)
Spotlight: Climbing to the Tyndale Monument and absorbing a few of the finest views of the stroll.
Day 8: Wotton-under-Edge to Outdated Sodbury (13.5 miles)
Spotlight: Crossing distant farmland and passing historical drovers’ ponds—plus a comfortable pub dinner at day’s finish.
Day 9: Outdated Sodbury to Chilly Ashton (8.5 miles)
Spotlight: Reaching Horton Courtroom, a surprising medieval manor (and filming location for a lot of interval dramas).
Day 10: Chilly Ashton to Bathtub (10 miles)
Spotlight: The grand arrival into Bathtub, strolling previous the Royal Crescent and feeling such as you’ve stepped right into a Jane Austen novel.
My Prime Suggestions for Strolling the Cotswold Approach
- Begin gradual: Particularly on the primary couple of days—your physique wants to regulate.
- Use a baggage switch: It’s price each penny.
- Do not overpack: You will remorse it by mile 50.
- Plan snack stops: Some sections have lengthy gaps with out outlets or cafes.
- Benefit from the small moments: A pleasant wave from a farmer, a area glowing within the late afternoon solar—these have been my favourite recollections.
- TRAIN. Practice forward of time. I’ve seen too many movies and tales of individuals not having an excellent time as a result of they only did it with out coaching.
Last Ideas: Why the Cotswold Approach Stays With You
Strolling the Cotswold Approach isn’t nearly protecting miles. It’s about strolling by means of layers of time, by means of tales written into the hills and stones. It’s about discovering stillness in a loud world, connecting to one thing larger, slower, and in some way extra actual.
Should you dream of a visit stuffed with magnificence, historical past, and an excellent little bit of muddy journey, that is your signal.
And in the event you’d like much more assist (like my detailed step-by-step itinerary, lodge and restaurant picks, packing lists, GPS downloads, and real-world recommendation), seize my paid information right here. It is like having a pleasant path buddy proper in your pocket.
Hope to see you on the path.
