The ten best walks in the Cotswolds

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As we are in lockdown again and the only thing we can really do at weekends is walking, I thought I would share with you my top 10 walks to do in the Cotswolds.

Whether you live locally or plan to visit for a weekend, these walks will let you fully immerse yourself in the countryside and take you from honey-hued cottages, to rivers and to some of the best views you will ever see.

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Chipping Camden to Broadway circular walk

This circular 11-mile walk takes you from the charming Cotswold town of Chipping Camden, up to Broadway Tower for spectacular views of the countryside below, and then down into the town where you get to do some shopping and get some lunch before heading back on a different route. The route has some challenging parts but there are places you can stop along the way to rest, but overall this a moderate hike. Follow the route here.

Cleeve Hill circular walk

This breathtaking 6-mile walk takes you over open hilltops for incredible views, and across streams, and through woodlands, so if you want a walk with a bit of everything, this one is for you. This route is fairly easy with just a few steep sections but you can cut it shorter to make it just 4 miles. There is somewhere to get refreshments at just the start/end of the walk. Follow the walk here.

Bibury to Coln St. Andrews circular Walk

This delightful 3 hour goes through the gorgeous countryside and leads you to the picture-perfect village of Bibury and is great for dogs to come with you too. There is an amazing pub at the start of your walk called The New Inn where you will be treated to some delicious food or you could wait till you get to Bibury and pop to The Swan Hotel for lunch and a drink. Follow the walk here.

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Bourton-on-the-Water to Stow-on-the-Wold

If you want to experience a proper day in the Cotswolds and see some of the most picturesque villages and walk through some of the most iconic Cotswold towns then this is the walk for you. Starting in Bourton-on-the-Water, this 10-mile walk leads you through one of the most beautiful villages to visit, Lower Slaughter, and then to Stow-on-the-Wold.

Woodchester Mansion Circular Walk

This 3.5-mile walk is a great family-friendly trail and takes you through woodlands, by the lake, and to the beautiful boathouse. There are a few steep sections but otherwise, this is an easy trail to follow. There are two other routes to explore: the 1.7 mile Explorers Walk, waymarked in orange, and the 7 mile Lost Landscapes Walk, waymarked in purple, so you can spend your day exploring the area.

Laurie Lee Walk

Walk in the footsteps of Cider with Rosie author, Laurie Lee, as you explore the glorious Slad valley, ending up at his favourite local pub, The Woolpack. This is a delightful walk where kids and dogs can burn off energy as they run through woodland, fields, and nature reserve. Keep your eyes peeled for the poetry posts that line part of the walk, these will give you a view from Laurie Lees world. Follow the route here.

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Minchinhampton and Rodborough Common walk

Anyone that knows me, will know that Minchinhampton is one of my favourite places and I love walking around the common and local villages. If you visit between May and October you will lucky enough to see the 100’s of cows that roam the common, and keep an eye out for the 5 horses and Alfie the Donkey too. I would advise you to either park up on the common or in Minchinhampton and just start exploring! Head to the hamlets of Box and Amberley, Winstone’s ice cream factory, and the numerous pubs that sit on the common.

Painswick Beacon

Painswick is a delightful town to walk around and definitely head to The Painswick for the perfect lunch, afternoon tea, or a cocktail in their garden. When you reach the top of the walk, you will be rewarded with the most spectacular 360 views of the valley below. Follow the route here.

Korea Friendship Trail

Named the Korea Friendship Trail as The Cotswold Way teamed up with South Korea’s Jeju Olle Trail to become one of the world’s first ‘friendship trails’, this is known as one of the most beautiful meanderings of the Cotswold Way. Follow the route here.

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Castle Combe circular walk

Meander through the picture-perfect village of Castle Combe and be transported back in time. Many films have been filmed here due to the quintessential English charm, such as War horse and Star dust, so you will literally feel you have stepped into a period drama as you walk around here. The Walk leads you through woodlands and follows the stream before taking you to Ford where you can have a delicious pitstop at The White Hart. Follow the walk here.

There are so many more great trails to follow from start to end or you can just pick up a small section over a few days during your stay.

• The Blossom Trail
• The Cotswolds Way
• The Diamond Way
• The Gloucestershire Way
• The Winchcombe Way
• The Windrush Way
• The Wychavon Way
• The Wysis Way

For more information on the Cotswolds check out my previous blog; A weekend away in the Cotswolds, The Ultimate Cotswolds guide, Dog-friendly Cotswolds and the top 10 most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds.