On Foot Holidays has reached The Southern Cotswolds, only an hour or so from our home town! We’ve plotted a unique self-guided walking route with our local expert, Nicky, that brings you England’s quintessential honey-coloured villages, medieval churches, some fantastic pubs, and lots of pretty (and quiet) paths through rolling farmland, woods and bucolic valleys.
Connecting the spa towns of Cheltenham and Bath, our route through the southern reaches of The Cotswolds has everything you would expect, while staying away from the tourist-trap spots in an effort to seek out lesser-known delights.
After a night in Regency Cheltenham, walk to Painswick, followed by two days of rambling through historic villages with a reminder of an industrial past in the now converted mills, leading to Tetbury, where King Charles has a country house.
Next comes Castle Combe, which is a much photographed village (spot it in the War Horse or Doctor Dolittle movies), though it is wonderfully quiet in the evening. Bradford-on-Avon nestles on a hill above the River Avon, along which you will then walk towards Bath, diverting to a low hill to give you some fine views as you enter this famous city.
The comfortable pubs and boutique hotels we have chosen are a particular highlight of this holiday, and there’s lots of excellent food and drink too. Add some extra nights to take advantage of other attractions along the way – maybe the antique shops of Tetbury or the farmers’ market at Stroud.
And the beautiful Georgian city of Bath merits extra time to wander the streets and shops, visit the Abbey and Roman Baths, and soak up the ‘Jane Austen vibes’ in her 250th anniversary year!
“The Southern Cotswolds” – price: from £1355 (based on two sharing), including 7 nights B&B accommodation, luggage transfers, short transfer at the beginning of Day 2, and local telephone support. Full walkers pack and/or navigational app provided, including a personalised itinerary, background information and travel advice. (Flights and transfers except those mentioned above are excluded.)
