Trip Overview

With a knowledgeable Wilderness guide, join our Cotswolds walking tour showcasing the enchanting nature of one of England’s iconic areas of natural beauty.

Cherished for its pastoral charm, this stunning region in southwest England encompasses lush river valleys, rolling green fields, wildflower meadows and villages of honey-coloured stone. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the landscape is also rich in history – peppered with ancient ruins, tumbling castles and intriguing archaeological sites.

With a fantastic network of quiet rural lanes, leafy bridleways, and winding riverside trails, enjoy discovering the beautiful countryside on foot. Visit historic market towns, traditional local pubs and artisanal shops full of local produce. As the soft evening light slips below the hedgerows, unlace your hiking boots and relax in the warmth of English hospitality, enjoying fresh seasonal food and lovely company.

Day 1 – Blenheim Palace and Bibury Read Less: Day 1
Blenheim Palace and Bibury
Arrive at Oxford train station this morning to meet your Wilderness guide and start your walking tour of the Cotswolds. A short drive north will take you out of the city and into the easterly folds of the Cotswolds. Visit the incredible Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill. After lunch, explore the peaceful grounds before visiting Churchill’s grave in the nearby village of Bladon. Travel to Bibury and visit Arlington Row – a stunning string of cottages built in 1380. This evening, settle into your lovely accommodation, your home for the next three nights.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 3 km / 2 miles | 20 m / 65 ft | Approx: 1 hrs

Day 2 – The Windrush Valley Read Less: Day 2
The Windrush Valley
Following a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a circular walk through the Windrush Valley. Begin by meandering through the pretty market town of Burford, looking out over sweeping arable fields and passing through the now deserted hamlet of Widford. Not much remains of the settlement now, apart from the tiny 13th-century St Oswald’s Church that sits quietly in a grassy meadow. Enjoy a packed lunch, listening to the skylarks and blackbirds, before returning to Burford. This evening, enjoy a delicious, locally sourced dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 13 km / 8 miles | 165 m / 540 ft | Approx: 6 hrs

Day 3 – Chedworth Roman Villa Read Less: Day 3
Chedworth Roman Villa
After a short, scenic drive, enjoy a walk through the picturesque countryside. Chat with your guide about the history of the area, arriving along the way at the remains of Chedworth Villa – one of the grandest Roman villas in Britain. Tucked beneath old trees, the peaceful tranquillity of the place is matched only by its exceptional insight into life during the Roman period in Britain. Enjoy some time exploring before continuing your ramble through the pastoral landscape. Back at the hotel later this afternoon, unlace your boots and take some time to relax.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 7 km / 4 miles | 215 m / 705 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

Day 4 – Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters Read Less: Day 4
Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters
This morning, enjoy visiting Bourton-on-the-Water, which is regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England. Known for its five stone bridges that arch across the River Windrush, it’s an idyllic place to enjoy a morning meander. Transfer over to Lower Slaughter and enjoy a circular walk that ribbons its way through the countryside. Along with wonderful views, the trail passes a 16th-century Dovecote and through Upper Slaughter, another quintessential Cotswold village home to a beautiful parish church. After the walk, transfer to your award-winning hotel nestled in the charming town of Chipping Camden.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 14 km / 9 miles | 241 m / 790 ft | Approx: 6 hrs

Day 5 – Snowshill Read Less: Day 5
Snowshill
As sunshine pools in through the open window, enjoy breakfast before heading out with your guide for another cracker of a walk. From Snowshill Manor, stroll through the village and enjoy the sweeping views of the valley towards Stanton. Joining the Cotswolds Way, wander through a quiet woodland, an old orchard and across a babbling brook before returning to the Manor to enjoy piping hot tea and light, springy sponge. Back at your hotel later this afternoon, enjoy a free evening. Either dine at the hotel or stroll down the pretty high street and pop into one of the local restaurants.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 12 km / 8 miles | 329 m / 1,080 ft | Approx: 6 hrs

Day 6 – The Cotswolds Way and Stratford-Upon-Avon Read Less: Day 6
The Cotswolds Way and Stratford-Upon-Avon
After breakfast, spend the morning hiking a beautiful section of the Cotswold Way – a 164km trail that stretches from the old wool merchants’ town of Chipping Camden to the Roman city of Bath. Along the way, pause to ascend the famous gothic folly Broadway Tower, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. After lunch, visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace and burial ground of William Shakespeare. Enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company, learning about those who have played a pivotal role in its unique and fascinating history. Enjoy dinner at a historic country inn this evening which brims with traditional charm.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | 219 m / 720 ft | Approx: 3 hrs

Day 7 – Hiking in Daylesford and Depart Read Less: Day 7
Hiking in Daylesford and Depart
Transfer to Daylesford this morning and head out on a lovely circular walk. Starting from an organic farm shop, meander past the walled gardens and the stables before strolling along fields fringed with wildflowers. Meander through a leafy avenue of trees and emerge in Adlestrop – a village connected to the well-loved English novelist Jane Austen. On your return, visit the ancient site of the Rollright Stones and learn about the history and folklore of the King’s Men and the Whispering Knights. Return to Oxford Railway Station this afternoon, where your walking holiday will conclude.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles | 119 m / 390 ft | Approx: 4 hrs

Download Itinerary

Wilderness Walking

The Cotswolds

To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

Trip Dates & Prices

All payments taken in local currency GBP

Trip Dates for 2025	Availability	Status	Original Price	Current Price	Book
26th Apr - 2nd May 2025	Trip Full	FULLY BOOKED	—	£2,695	—
31st May - 6th Jun 2025	Trip Full	FULLY BOOKED	—	£2,695	—
21st Jun - 27th Jun 2025	4 place(s) left	Guaranteed	Was £2,965	Now £2,545	Book Now
26th Jul - 1st Aug 2025	4 place(s) left	Guaranteed	Was £2,965	Now £2,445	Book Now
6th Sep - 12th Sep 2025	1 place(s) left	Guaranteed	—	£2,695	Book Now
11th Oct - 17th Oct 2025	Trip Full	FULLY BOOKED	—	£2,695	—

Make This Trip Private

Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

Enquire Now Learn More

Wilderness Walking

The Cotswolds

For private departure enquiries, please complete the form below:

Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

This walking holiday is based in two welcoming and quality accommodations. The first is a handsome former coaching inn in the village of Bibury, often known as the prettiest village in England. The second is a charming regency townhouse hotel in Chipping Campden with a spa and hydrotherapy pool, so don’t forget your swimwear!

Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities.

Single Rooms

There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £650 is charged.

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Meals Read More

All meals are included in this trip from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 7, except for dinner on day 5. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

Great food is paramount on all Wilderness England trips, and we will enjoy excellent regional cooking.

Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend dinner options that evening and help you make any necessary reservations.

Inclusions Read More

6 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels/inns on a B&B basis.
All meals during the trip as stated in the itinerary.
The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout.
All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Oxford.

Grading Read More: Green Graded 1-3
Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

You will be met by your Wilderness England Guide at Oxford Railway Station at 10:00am on Day 1 of your trip.

The trip will conclude at Oxford Railway Station at 4:30pm on the final day.

Trip Reviews

Rated 4.95 out of 5 based on 20 review(s) of Wilderness Walking – The Cotswolds

Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

Andrew Lucas

Reviewed on 25/09/2024

Age: 40 - 50
Country: USA
Trip Date: 07/09/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

Timothy D. Lucas

Reviewed on 16/09/2024

Age: 70 - 80
Country: United States
Trip Date: 07/09/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

Carole Andary

Reviewed on 01/07/2024

Age: 70 - 80
Country: Australia
Trip Date: 15/06/2024
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

We would recommend this wonderful week in the Cotswolds with Wilderness England very highly.

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Wilderness Scotland

The Cotswolds

Trip Overview

Your Next Adventure

Day by DayItinerary

Day 1

Blenheim Palace and Bibury

Day 2

The Windrush Valley

Day 3

Chedworth Roman Villa

Day 4

Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters

Day 5

Snowshill

Day 6

The Cotswolds Way and Stratford-Upon-Avon

Day 7

Hiking in Daylesford and Depart

Trip Dates & Prices

Make This Trip Private

Trip Details

Single Rooms

Green Graded 1-3

Speak to an Expert

Bridget Brown

Meet Your Guide

Difficulty Grades Explained

Green Graded 1-3

Trip Reviews

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

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