Luxury Cotswolds - Hiking
Country
England
Region
Cotswolds
Theme
Classic
6
Days
5
Nights
Accommodation
5*
A refined walking journey through the Cotswolds.
This is a considered exploration of the Cotswolds, designed for guests who enjoy walking well but also value time, space and comfort. Starting with an urban introduction in Oxford, the journey moves gently into rolling countryside, following sections of the Cotswold Way and linking hilltop viewpoints, ancient sites and carefully tended gardens. Each day is paced to allow for unhurried walking, cultural visits and relaxed afternoons, with private access and short transfers used thoughtfully to enhance the flow. The result is a quietly luxurious experience that balances movement, insight and ease.
Highlights
- Guided walking tour of Oxford
- Scenic sections of the Cotswold Way, including Broadway Tower and Cleeve Hill
- Visit to Hidcote Manor Garden and Westonbirt Arboretum
- Private tours of Sudeley Castle and Painswick Rococo Garden
- Walking in the Slad Valley, made famous by Laurie Lee
- Elegant stays in Broadway, Painswick and Bath
Handpicked Accommodation
Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath
Occupying the prime position within Bath’s most famous Georgian terrace, the Royal Crescent Hotel truly is an historic place to stay.
Why we chose it
The setting, standards and atmosphere provide a fitting final chapter to this trip.
The Painswick, Painswick
Elegant and thoughtfully styled, The Painswick offers a quieter, more intimate experience, with light filled rooms and refined communal spaces.
Why we chose it
Boasts roaring fires, sink-into-me sofas and boutique bedrooms where peaceful slumber beckons.
Dormy House, Broadway
Set high above the northern Cotswolds, Dormy House blends classic country house proportions with confident contemporary design.
Why we chose it
Unwind in the spa, indulge in the Back Garden, explore or simply switch off, Dormy House is a sanctuary for every season.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Oxford - The City of Dreaming Spires
Meet your guide in Oxford and begin with a walking tour of the city, introducing its colleges, lanes and long academic history. After time to absorb the atmosphere, transfer into the Cotswolds and settle into your hotel in Broadway. The afternoon brings a gentle walk up to Broadway Tower, with wide views across the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, it is said you can see as many as sixteen counties spread out across England and Wales.
Day 2 – On the Cotswold Way
Walk along a classic stretch of the Cotswold Way towards Chipping Campden, arriving in time for refreshments in the town that marks the route’s traditional starting point. Linking this small, North Cotswold town with the city of Bath, the 102-mile National Trail winds through some of the most scenic landscape in England. In the afternoon, continue on foot or by short transfer to Hidcote Manor Garden, one of England’s most influential Arts and Crafts gardens. Return to Broadway with time to explore this classic Cotswolds village at your own pace.
Day 3 – The highest point of the Cotswolds
Today explores higher ground with a walk towards Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds, offering expansive views across the escarpment. Visit Belas Knap, a Neolithic long barrow – over 5000 years old – before stopping for a relaxed pub lunch. The afternoon features a private tour of Sudeley Castle, followed by a transfer south to Painswick – known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’
Day 4 – In the footsteps of Laurie Lee
Walk through the Slad Valley, whose gentle lanes and meadows were immortalised in Laurie Lee’s memoir Cider with Rosie. The landscape described in his writing remains largely unchanged. Lunch is taken at the Woolpack Inn (be sure to rest a while in Lee’s favoured place) before an afternoon private tour of Painswick Rococo Garden, known for its playful design and seasonal planting. The remainder of the day is left free to relax at the hotel.
Day 5 – Westonbirt Arboretum and Bath
Transfer to Tetbury to explore Westonbirt Arboretum, home to one of the finest collections of trees in the world. Over 2,500 species of trees from across the globe, many planted by Victorian collectors thrive here today. Continue onwards to Bath, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon walking tour of the city, covering its Roman origins and Georgian elegance. Bath is the only city in the UK designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its entire urban area. The final evening includes a group dinner at the hotel.
Day 6 – Departure or Extension
After breakfast, depart or extend your stay in Bath or London
Itinerary Designer
A luxury, 6-day tour which combines classic routes, private visits and standout hotels, carefully paced so guests enjoy more
Gaby
Featured Experience
The Private Gardens and Historic Houses of the Cotswolds
Rather than treating gardens and historic houses as standalone visits, this journey weaves them naturally into the walking days. Private access allows time and space to explore without crowds, adding depth and context to this luxury Cotswold trip.