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Walking & Hiking
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Cotswolds Walking & Hiking Tour
England's Castles, Gardens & the Cotswold Way
In the Cotswolds, Britain's premiere walking and hiking destination, every step forward is also a step back in time. Follow cobbled paths through chocolate-box villages with honey-pot cottages. Walk along woodland trails and rolling hills. Explore an ancient castle and savor a fresh pint in a traditional English pub. Often quirky, always charming—experience the past from the comfort of the present.
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
FROM:
$4,799 pp dbl occ
England
Start Stratford-upon-Avon / End Bath
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Enjoy classic English treks through gentle hills, wide-open meadows, serene green woodland and sheep-dotted pastures
- Explore welcoming picturesque hamlets brimming with honey-colored houses and flower-filled yards
- Admire beautiful abbeys and take leisurely walks, pausing to exchange hellos with the locals and admire some of England's finest gardens
- Linger over English tea and cakes, or pop into a cheery pub for a proper British pint with the locals
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Enjoy tea at Hidcote Manor Garden and stroll its splendid grounds | Stop for lunch in ancient Chipping Campden | Hike along a trail to the Cotswold escarpment offering sweeping views of the English countryside | Begin the day in Snowshill, one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds | Follow a footpath linking the hamlets of Stanton, Laverton and Buckland | Linger in lively Broadway, the Jewel of the Cotswolds | Walk to Broadway Tower for a 16-county panorama.
Dormy House
Broadway
| Premiere Hotel A warm welcome awaits at this beautifully restored 17th-century farmhouse, part of a stunning 400-acre estate. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)
Days 3-4
Set out from 13th-century Cistercian abbey ruins at Hailes, once an important English pilgrimage destination | Walk the celebrated Cotswold Way through the quaint town of Winchcombe en route to Sudeley Castle | Enjoy the castle's award-winning gardens and be entertained by stories told by a farmer at Postlip Hall Farm | With a local Cotswold warden, walk on Warden's Way, a path linking a series of quintessential Cotswold villages, including Lower and Upper Slaughter | A traditional British pub lunch awaits at the Black Horse in Naunton | Stroll through Guiting Power, a charming historic village.
Ellenborough Park
Cheltenham
| Premiere Hotel Dating back to 1485 and set on 90 acres of protected National Trust grounds, this elegant country manor boasts the perfect fusion of tradition and modernity. (pool, spa)
Days 5-6
Ascend Cooper's Hill, site of the world-famous annual cheese-rolling race | Walk to the town of Painswick, dubbed Queen of the Cotswolds | Set off on a final walk with views of the Severn Vale, the Forest of Dean and the Welsh Mountains.
The Painswick
Painswick
| Premiere Hotel Nestled in one of the finest and best-preserved villages of the Cotswolds, this former prospect house is a newly renovated Palladium masterpiece offering views of the Slad Valley. (spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
SMALL GROUP? TRY RENDEZVOUS | An extra leader and van for even more flexibility | Call us to book your Rendezvous.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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Activity Level: 1-3
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
Note: The terrain on this trip is rolling with a few steeper sections and climbs and includes a mix of sheep trails and rough rocky paths, well-maintained dirt paths and paved country lanes. Our routes can be wet and muddy.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
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