England Cotswolds
- with Guided by Nature -
11 AUGUST 2024 and 19 AUGUST 2024 | $10,995 | 10 Days
Discover Cotswolds Walk
Discover the true essence of the British Countryside as you explore rolling hills, quaint villages, and limestone wall formations over 10 exceptional days. In small groups, enjoy the hiking trails of the Cotswold Way, with the rare opportunity to “ramble” in an unrivalled and rightfully listed AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) boasting British charm. You will enjoy exclusive, premium accommodation in traditional Inns and hotels. Our local guides lead you on an all-inclusive journey, sharing iconic tales of history, leaving you feeling connected, inspired and rejuvenated.
For all enquiries and bookings please contact our international departures team:
Itinerary details
- Fully guided: 10 Days/ 9 nights
- Departure: 11 August 2024 and 19 August 2024
- Max group size 14, plus 2 experienced guides
- Min group size 8
- Activity Level Moderate (This is a moderate trip because it involves some sustained hiking on each hiking day and a reasonable level of fitness)
- Guided by Nature company support host
- Trip Start: Oxford, England
- Trip finish: Oxford, England
- Distance 88kms
- Cost: AUD$10,995 / single supplement: AUD$3,475
Discover Cotswold Walk (10-days)
Day 1: Arrive in Oxford
Arrive in Oxford at your leisure and take the short transfer to your 17th-century hotel in central Oxford. The hotel is a short 5-minute taxi ride, there are taxis situated just outside the station. This evening your guide will meet you at the bar at 6 pm for welcome drinks and introductions before you settle in for the night.
Transfer (Not Included): Oxford Train Station to Hotel, 5-7 minutes.
Accommodation: Old Parsonage Hotel. Oxford
Meals included: Dinner.
Day 2: The highlights of Oxford
Guided walking tour of Oxford
After breakfast we start with a private guided walk around Oxford. Along with your Alumni guide, you’ll visit key historical sights around the city including the historic great dining hall, lecture halls and the Bodleian Library. Take the afternoon to relax or explore the city on your own. Later, we’ll meet at your hotel ahead of an evening not to be forgotten. We’ll enjoy a river cruise on an Edwardian riverboat, enjoying a glass of Champagne as we pass landmarks such as Folly Bridge, Christ Church meadows and the university boat houses. After the cruise, we’ll enjoy a 6-course tasting menu on the terrace whilst watching the sun set over the glistening River Thames.
Accommodation: Old Parsonage Hotel, Oxford
Transfers: No transfers today
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 3: Hiking in the Cotswolds
Approximately 3-4 hours of walking (12km)
The hike begins in the small village of Farmington and is the first of 3 sections of the Monarch’s Way that we’ll hike during the trip. This short section of the 625-mile long-distance trail leads us into the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, Bourton-on-the-Water where you’ll have some free time to explore the vibrant village. Today's hike ends at our hotel situated in Upper Slaughter nestled in 8 acres of lawns and grandiose gardens.
Accommodation: Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter
Transfers: Oxford to Windrush 40 minutes
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: The Monarchs Way
Approximately 4-5 hours of walking (15km)
We’ll head north on our second section of the Monarchs Way that we will cover on this trip. Today's walk will take us through the delightful market town of Stow-on-the-Wold and onto Moreton-in-Marsh, a thriving market town lined with elegant Cotswolds stone buildings which house many specialist shops, antique emporiums, tea rooms and delis.
Accommodation: Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh
Meals included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: The Jewel of the Cotswolds
Approximately 4-5 hours walking (12km)
With fine views of the surrounding countryside, today's undulating countryside hike will take us to what is frequently referred to as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Cotswold towns, Chipping Campden. the town is also one of the best preserved and most historically important towns which was once the heart of the local wool trade. A planned town of the late 12th century, its original layout can still be traced along the High Street.
Accommodation: Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Campden
Meals included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Approximately 2-3 hours walking (7km)
After breakfast, we’ll transfer towards Stratford-upon-Avon. A significant historical market town, birthplace and childhood home of William Shakespeare. Today we’ll hike a section of Shakespeare’s Avon Way into the town where you'll have a free afternoon. Perhaps visit Ann Hathaway's cottage or Shakespeare’s childhood home, or simply have lunch by the river. We’ll transfer back to Chipping Campden mid-afternoon.
Accommodation: Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Campden
Transfers: Chipping Campden to Stratford 25 minutes each way
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 7: The start of the Cotswold Way
Approximately 3 hours walking (10km)
The Cotswolds Way runs for 102 miles along the Cotswold escarpment, the trail officially starts in Chipping Campden and we’ll hike the first 2 sections over 2 days. The start will take us up Dover’s Hill, offering great views across the region. We then cross green fields, passing Broadway Tower, before descending into Broadway itself, which has strong links to the Arts & Crafts movement. Once into the classically beautiful village, we’ll enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at a historic hotel steeped in over 600 years of fascinating history
Accommodation: Broadway Hotel, Broadway
Meals included: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner.
Day 8: Riding the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Approximately 4-5 hours walking (15km)
The second part of the Cotswold Way takes us from Broadway to Toddington Station. Along the route, we’ll pass the idyllic village of Stanton and continue over the picturesque rolling terrain on our way to Stanway House, an outstandingly beautiful example of a Jacobean manor house famous for its 300 feet single-jet fountain, the highest in Britain and the highest gravity fountain in the world. After a private tour, we’ll continue on our way to Toddington Station where we’ll enjoy a train ride back to Broadway.
Accommodation: Broadway Hotel, Broadway.
Transfers: Train journey from Toddington to Broadway 20 minutes.
Meals included: Breakfast and a Packed Lunch.
Day 9: A traverse of the Malvern Hills
Approximately 5-6 hours walking (16km)
This morning we’ll transfer out of the Cotswolds and into the Malvern Hills for our final walk of the trip. The Malvern line dominates the surrounding landscape with the highest peak, Worcestershire Beacon standing at 425 meters. The walk will take us from the southern end to the northern end of the Malverns covering over more than 10 peaks. On a clear day you can expect a panorama of the Severn Valley, the hills of Herefordshire and the Welsh mountains, parts of thirteen counties, the Bristol Channel, and the cathedrals of Worcester, Gloucester and Hereford. We’ll transfer back to Broadway for our final night in the Cotswolds and cap off an excellent trip with a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation: The Bay Tree, Burford.
Transfers: Broadway to Malvern approx 50 minutes ; Broadway to Chase End 45 mins
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 10: Depart Cotswolds
After breakfast, take a final stroll along the high street and find some final souvenirs to take home from a great hiking trip in the English Cotswolds. Unfortunately, it’s then time to leave the Cotswolds behind and transfer back to Oxford, it’s just over 1 hour back to Oxford where the trip ends at approximately 11:00 am.
Transfers: Burford to Oxford 40 minutes
Meals included: Breakfast.
Accommodation
Day 1 - Old Parsonage Hotel, Oxford
Day 2 - Old Parsonage Hotel, Oxford
Day 3 - Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter
Day 4 - Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh
Day 5 - Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Campden
Day 6 - Cotswold House Hotel, Chipping Campden
Day 7 - Broadway Hotel, Broadway
Day 8 - Broadway Hotel, Broadway
Day 9 - The Bay Tree, Burford
Itinerary Details
Discover Cotswold Walk
11 August 2024 | AUD$10,995 per person twin share - Single Supplement AUD$3,475
- 10-Day fully guided Walk
- Each trip requires a minimum of 8 guests, three months prior to departure. The maximum is 14.
Inclusions
- Small group
- Fully hosted walking tour with experienced guides
- Most meals (except where indicated, so you can experience local cuisine independently!)
- Picnic, hiking lunches & unique destination walking provisions
- Specially curated surprise moments throughout tour
- All activities described in trip itinerary
- All transportation from the beginning until the end of trip
- All gratuities for hotels, restaurants, and activities
- Twin share accommodation in premium hand-selected hotels
- All park and entry fees
Please Note: Whilst every effort will be made to secure the accommodation as detailed in the intinerary, there may be circumstances where Guided by Nature provides a similar accommodation standard.
Exclusions
- Transportation to the start and end of tour
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities to guides
- Meals and drinks not listed in itinerary
- Any visa requirements
- International and domestic airfares
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