Cotswold Way Page 1
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017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Cotswold Way Page 1 Cotswold Way The Cotswold Way, one of England’s finest National Trails, takes you 104 miles (167 km) from the medieval market town of Chipping Campden in the North Cotswolds to the historic City of Bath, through the classic English countryside. The Cotswold Way dissects the largest of all of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales: an area with stone walls and buildings, open skies, rolling grasslands, beech woods and captivating villages, making it an outstanding English landscape. Following the western edge of the Cotswold Hills, this route passes through a succession of enchanting English villages, featuring honey-coloured cottages built from the delightfully warm Cotswold stone, and welcoming country inns and pubs. The path undulates through stunning landscapes, affording ever-changing views over the River Severn and the Malvern Hills. Along the way, you will also pass Neolithic burial barrows, beautiful stately homes, and historic battle sites. End your walking holiday in the City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brimming with roman remains and fine architecture. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Cotswold Way Page 2 Why do this walk? Essential Info - Approved as a National Trail in 1998, and opened in Length: From 5 days / 6 nights 2007, the Cotswold Way is a brilliant introduction to Full Route Length: 105 miles / 167 km long-distance walking as the Cotswolds are hilly rather Shortest Break Length: 47 miles / 76 km than mountainous. - Explore the picturesque villages along the routes, Easy to Moderate and you will also pass close by to a significant number of historic sites, for example the Neolithic burial Grade This is another relatively easy National chamber at Belas Knap, Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe, Hailes Abbey and many beautiful Trail which is clearly way-marked along the length churches, abbeys, stately homes and historic houses. of the path. A good route for people wanting to do - Officially designated as an Area of Outstanding their first long-distance walk. Natural Beauty, the Cotswold landscape is an Terrain Varied - but these are gentle wolds and entrancing mixture of parkland, neat fields with dry- not mountainous areas. The path rises up and stone walls and patches of lush woodland. down onto the Cotswold Escarpment in the - Unique to the Cotswold Way is the diverse northern section, however, it is lower whilst still surroundings as one minute you will be in undulating over farmland and through woods internationally important wildflower meadows, and the towards the south. next you will be shaded beech woodlands rich with the colour of bluebells and the scent of wild garlic. What’s it like underfoot? Pretty good. Well - Enjoy a tour around Bath, a UNESCO World maintained paths throughout, although sections Heritage city, at the end of the Cotswold Way. Make can get a bit muddy in wet weather. sure that take the time to enjoy a soak in the Roman How much up and down? This trail is rolling and Baths after you finish your walk! it does go up and down a lot, with some short steeper sections, but they don’t go on forever – the highest point is 330m (1083ft). Ascents and descents are usually 150 – 200m (495- 660ft) Signposting Generally good. Navigation Pretty straightforward. Well defined paths, and good signposting. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Cotswold Way Page 3 Our holidays We offer a range of walking holidays along the Cotswold Way. You can choose to walk the whole route in either 8 days or 9 days, or alternatively, you can walk either the Northern or Southern sections as a shorter break. Whichever option you go for you can guarantee that the Cotswolds offers a landscape that once experienced will not be easily forgotten as no two days of walking are ever the same. Route The Whole Cotswold Way We offer two walking holidays covering the whole of the Cotswold Way. The longer the holiday, the shorter the distances that you have to walk across the Cotswold countryside each day. The Cotswold Way North - Escarpment and Villages This walking holiday guides you along the northern section of the Cotswold Way and follows the western edge of the Cotswold Hills from Chipping Campden to Painswick. The Cotswold Way South - Long Barrows and Baths A walking holiday set along the southern section of the Cotswold Way through stunning woodlands and past ancient historical sites. A beautiful section of the trail that ends in the World Heritage City of Bath. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Cotswold Way Page 4 What's Included Every walking holiday includes: Accommodation We’ll select your accommodation from a specially curated collection of hotels, farmhouses, country houses, and coaching inns along each of our routes. When selecting accommodation our focus is a helpful, friendly host with good quality accommodation and superb facilities. All of our accommodation has been carefully chosen so that you can unwind after a long day’s walking and enjoy unique architectural features, quirks and interiors, whilst also experiencing a superb level of comfort and service. Breakfast To make sure that you put your best foot forward after a good night’s sleep you can get your day started with either a Full English breakfast or a Continental breakfast. Luggage transfer We’ll also transfer your luggage between each overnight stop. All you need to do is leave your bag at your accommodation when you set off in the morning, and it will be moved to your next overnight stop for when you arrive later that day. All you’ll need is a small day sack with any clothes and provisions that you’ll need during your day’s walk Personal itinerary An itinerary setting out the relevant information for each overnight stop, including large scale maps for each location and details of where we’d recommend you head for your evening meal. Maps OS map/s (1:25,000) covering your whole route. Guidebook Detailed route information, including maps and photos. Services information An information sheet detailing cash points, banks, post offices, village shops, inns, cafes and taxis available along the route. Emergency support We are always on hand to help if you experience any difficulties during your holiday, including outside of normal office hours. 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors As a little thank you from us you will get a 15% discount at all Cotswold Outdoor stores - online and high street - for twelve months following confirmation of your booking. Options: Off road parking If you are travelling to your start location by car just let us know and we will see what we can do to organise parking for the duration of your trip. There may be a small charge for this. Return transport We can also arrange transfer back to your car - it’s no problem, just ask - and we’ll even advise you when public transport is a better option! What’s not Included: Evening meal Your evening meal isn’t included in your walking holiday package, however your itinerary will include details of the best local eateries along your route - it could be a pub, a restaurant or even the accommodation that you’re staying in - so you’ll be able to relax and refuel after a good day’s walking. We always do our best to pick somewhere within walking distance of your accommodation, and you should allow approximately £20.00 per night for your evening meal. Packed lunch We don’t include a packed lunch as part of your walking holiday. Transport to and from your start and finish points Click on the “Travel Info” tab on your chosen walking holiday for our recommendations. Alternatively just get in touch with us directly and we’ll help you sort it all out. Travel Insurance For your own peace of mind we’d recommend you make sure that you’ve got ample travel insurance before you set off on your holiday. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Cotswold Way Page 5 Rest days Travel info Painswick General travel information for the Cotswold Way route will be in your holiday pack including train and Painswick is a delightful market town, and is bus timetables where available. perfectly located for a halfway break with its elegant Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s white stone buildings. From here you can visit the accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest Rococo Garden, designed in the 18th century and train or bus station, will also be included in the claimed to be the only one of its kind in England. holiday pack on individual accommodation maps. To view train times please visit national rail where Bath you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline. This is the most popular choice for an extra night or If you require secure car parking whilst walking this two. This stunning city is designated by UNESCO as route, please contact us for detailed information. a World Heritage Site. The Cotswold Way ends Please be aware that long term parking can be very outside the glorious Bath Abbey re-built during the expensive in Bath. reign of Elizabeth I. From here you can explore the Getting There: superb Georgian Architecture including the Royal By Air: The nearest International Airport is Crescent, the Circus, the Assembly Rooms and the Birmingham (about 35 miles /56km away).