Journey Across The Cotswolds

Independent (self-guided) walking holiday

Inn to Inn / Village to Village

“FootTrailswasextremely easytoworkwith. We're delightedandhopetodo anotherwalknextyear”

Susan,NY,USA

Welcome & trail story from Alison

Howell

This Foot Trail has been a lifetime in the making. David, my husband, grew up in the Cotswolds and many of my family live and farm there.

I wanted our guests to be able to enjoy the best of this beautiful county but avoid certain parts of it which, in my view, have become over crowded and over touristy. This magical journey takes you through the best of the Cotswolds.

Connect with places that mark its once thriving wool industry, mesmerising villages and picturesque landscapes. Starting in the North of the Cotswolds near Chipping Campden, you'll make your way via Stow-on-the-Wold before walking on through the eastern fringes of the Cotswolds to The Thames river.

Be prepared for a little adventure. Longer grasses in summer, a little overgrown may sometimes apply, but your efforts will be richly rewarded with sights of villages, landscapes and views that most visitors simply never see.

Warm regards,

Alison Howell, Founder & Director

About Journey Across The Cotswolds

Journey Across the Cotswolds is an inn to inn style walking trail, 8 nights at it’s longest, staying for two nights at up to four different locations in the Cotswolds. (6 night itinerary is also available).

Walking from village to village on local paths is a superb experience enjoying peaceful countryside, market towns, Cotswolds villages and hand-picked country inns on the way. But this isn't the Cotswolds Way! It is the Foot Trails way.

This trail gives a glimpse into the life past and present of The Cotswolds. Places connected with the wool industry, agriculture and market towns. With every day its own mini adventure your walking will be filled with discoveries.

Contents

Pick

Our pick of the highlights

* Enjoy an authentic and peaceful side to The Cotswolds, thanks to our local insider knowledge.

* Discover mesmerising and secret Cotswolds stone villages.

* Find out how wool made this county wealthy.

* Visit Chipping Campden with its magnificent architecture and 100 year old connection to the Arts and Crafts movement including silver, jewellery, printing, book binding and furniture making.

* Enjoy pastoral scenes of England and learn about country ways.

* Admire Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest market town in the Cotswolds with its independent shops and cafés.

* Walk ancient track-ways and discover a connection with English author Jane Austen.

* Stay in four of the Cotswolds' most stunning and historic country inns.

Where & getting here

The Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty in the South West of England. Not a county itself, it sits mostly in Gloucestershire and extends to Oxfordshire on the east and Bath in the south.

How to get here?

The trail begins in the north of the Cotswolds or eastern side of the Cotswolds depending on the length of your trail. The nearest train stations for arrivals are either Moreton-in-Marsh (Gloucestershire) or Charlbury (Oxfordshire). The journey time by car, about a 90 minute drive from London.

The suggested international airport is London Heathrow which offers an easy transfer to London Paddington and around two hours to the start of the trail. There is also a regional airport at Birmingham.

Airport cars often make the most convenient transfer and we can arrange this for you.

Sample daily itinerary...

We have created this suggested itinerary as an outline for the best Journey Across Cotswolds experience. You will find the mileages & prices for this itinerary in the ‘Trail details & prices’.

Custom Itinerary Service

If the suggested itinerary; lengths of stay, arrival day, daily mileages are not right for your plans, we can customise an itinerary to you. You can choose your preferred dates - start on any day of the week - stay for how long you wish - include rest dayschange the daily walk distances.

Day 1 - Arrive & Relax

Arrive to The Cotswolds and your Foot Trails adventure! Take a little time to settle in and for those that wish take today's short introductory trail to get to know the local area.

Day 2 - The Romans

An historic hike that will connect you with the Romans and enable you to tread in their footsteps. Explore one of the county's best loved Roman villas, Chedworth, built over 2000 years ago as a place of Roman wealth, luxury and comfort. Your trail also includes little Cotswolds stone villages, tumbling streams, cottage gardens, this is what the Cotswolds is all about!

Day 3 - In the Meadow & your next inn

(Luggage transfer included) Full of contrast and diversity this trail is a real treat. There are views and views! And charming villages. Tales from the iron-age and the prehistoric. Find yourself amongst some wonderful Hay Meadows, being restored and full of wild flowers (especially in May). A little tale about the composer Holst and then more of those views! Arrive on foot to your next inn and enjoy the change of scene.

Day 4 - Regency Inspiration

Crossing the Evenlode Valley its all very earthy, then to a charming old village, pop inside the church for a surprising treat! As your walk moves on, look out for the ridge and furrows, remains of an medieval farming system. Arriving to a village, pass the thatched old post office, pause at the church and the fine 'Gentlemen's Residence' to discover a link to author Jane Austen. There’s time to enjoy Chastleton House too.

Day 5 - Cotswolds Stone & your next inn

(Luggage transfer included) Moving into the River Windrush valley the countryside opens up into a huge wide expanse, there are far reaching views and quiet removed valleys before arriving into a picture perfect Cotswolds village. Besides its two mills this village was known for its Cotswolds stone. Follow the River Windrush to your next country inn.

Day 6 - Drama at the edge of the Cotswolds

The eastern edge of the Cotswolds, where the Cotswolds stone mingles with village greens, English churches and clear running streams, it's all quite picture perfect. Enjoy, tales of Kings and the infamous Mitford sisters, and the villages before wandering back to your inn on foot.

Day 7 - Over the bridge to your next inn

(Luggage transfer included) Weaving through the villages of the Leach river valley you will find a few bridges to cross as well as some picture perfect Cotswolds villages. Gorgeous cottages, grand manor houses, babbling streams its all an absolute charm. You will arrive to your inn on foot, maybe take a little time to explore the woollen weavers centre as you arrive

Day 8 - Navigation of The Thames

Your trail leads you to the iconic town of Lechlade with its church spire rising from the water meadows set between the river Leach and Thames. Pause and explore the town a little, tales of Royals, Poets and trade. The head out across the rivers and meadows to find an old abandoned medieval village and its humble but magnificent church, inside Saxon carvings and a true sense of the undisturbed medieval.

Day 9 - Time to depart

At the end of your Foot Trail it's time for your onward travel, full of memories and tales of your adventures.

Where you stay personally chosen

Where you stay is a key part of your Foot Trail & experience. One of the reasons guests choose Foot Trails is for our choice and quality of accommodation.

The country inns and country pubs where you stay are small, personal and friendly with excellent hospitality. Each one is in an English village with comfortable bedrooms and delicious local food and drinks to enjoy with dinner after your walk.

Alison, Foot Trails founder, chooses each inn personally. Centuries old, each building provides a relaxing and authentic setting in which you can kick off your boots and eat dinner at the end of an inspiring day on the trail.

On the Journey Across The Cotswolds inn to inn trail you will enjoy a different country inn every two days, giving you the opportunity to explore the locality deeply before moving on. Over 8 nights you would stay at up to 4 different country inns.

On this particular trail you can enjoy a 16th century former cider house, a country pub set on the village greens, a riverside country inn with a beautiful garden to an old coaching inn from the 18th century that holds numerous dining awards.

You will receive full details and website addresses of our suggested accommodation with your itinerary when we confirm availability of your trip.

Trail details & prices

Details for the sample itinerary

Best start day: Tuesday, staying for 8 nights

Daily miles : 2 – 11 (or 7.5) – 12 (or 9) – 12 (or 9) – 12 (or 8.5) – 7 – 9 – 10 (or 6) - depart

Grade: Easy to moderate, walking with some ascents & descents

Arrival train station: Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire

May to September: Standard - £1790 p/p // Superior - £2100 p/p

April & October: Standard - £1695 p/p // Superior - £1995 p/p

Winter: Standard - £1495 p/p // Superior - £1785 p/p

Prices based on 2 persons sharing a bedroom. Twin (2 x single beds) bedroom options available. Solo's welcome (solo supplements apply). 6 night trails start from £1380 p/p.

Group discounts (4+) and returning guests thank you discounts offered.

Customise your itinerary

If the itinerary featured, lengths of stay, arrival day, daily mileages are not right for your plans, we can customise an itinerary to you. You can choose your preferred dates - start on any day of the week - stay for how long you wish - include rest dayschange the daily walk distances. Prices for custom itineraries are quoted per trip and will vary from the prices quoted above.

What is included?

* Our services in arranging your itinerary

* Our guest support in preparing for your trip, and on call support during your trip

* Accommodation for 8 nights, bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms

* Country breakfast to set you up each day

* 7 days of independent walking with a tailored itinerary to suit you and the season

* Transport drop off services if required for your itinerary

* Luggage transfers between your country inns

* A comprehensive Walk and Explore box, posted for your arrival & including:

* Local maps with your trails clearly marked (on our fully waterproof paper)

* Innovative trail cards, one for each day, with clear easy to follow directions in word (on waterproof paper)

* Trail cards also include local histories and stories to enjoy and read as you explore

* Suggested departure times so that you don't miss lunch, recommended lunchtime stops at hand picked country pubs or cafes (lunch not included)

* Foot Trail’s famous fortifying sweets, nature guide, guest booklet, local information and more

Booking your trail

If you would like help choosing the best trail for you then call us on +44 (0) 1747 820626 or email us at Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk. We plan, write and create all our own walking trails and are here to offer you our expert advice.

If the trails featured, arrival days or lengths of stay are not right for you, you can choose your preferred dates and start on any day of the week. We will create a custom itinerary for you based on your preferences. Prices for custom trips are quoted per trip and vary from the prices quoted in the brochure.

You can make your booking by calling us on +44 (0) 1747 820626 or if you prefer you can email us at Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk. We will ask you a few details to enable us to make a reservation for you. We will then be able to confirm the availability of your trail. Due to the crafted nature of our trails there may be a day or two's wait while we contact our inns and hosts.

We will email you with confirmation of your itinerary, accommodations and details for your deposit of 25%. Payment of your deposit will confirm your booking. Balances are due 8 weeks before arrival. We accept all major credit cards and bank transfers.

Words from our guests

“WeenjoyedyourselectionsofalltheInns–theywerecomfortableandwelcoming. Ateachlocationwewantedtostaylongerbecauseofthedeliciousfoodandwarm service.WereturnedtotheUSwithlotsofpicturesofthelovelycountrysideand wonderfulmemoriesoftherosesandjoyfulwalks.Speakingofwhich,welovedthe routesyouselected.Thanksagainforyourattentiontodetail,helpinnavigatingthe travel,andresponsetoourphonecalls.”

Cathy & Bob, USA

"Wehavereturnedsafelyhomefromoursecondwonderfulwalkingadventurewith FootTrails.Itwasasmagicalasthefirst,anddifferentinsubtleways.Yourpaths wereasexpecteddetailed,funtofollow,andplaceduseachdayinthemidstof gloriousvistas,greensofeveryshade,andskiesofblueandcloudsofwhite.Wewish youcontinuedsuccessinyourendeavours.Youreallydoofferauniquekindof Britishwalkingholidays!”

Ann & Joe, USA

You can read more reviews from our guests on our tripadvisor pagewww.tripadvisor.com/foottrailsUK

Why a Foot Trail?

A Foot Trail avoids the formulaic nature, crowds and predictability of mass tourism and focuses instead purely on the quality of your experience. Take a Foot Trail and you will explore deep beneath the surface.

You will walk and hike in real and authentic places. Enjoy real, not manufactured tourism moments. Shared conversations with a local person, the stillness of time spent in beautiful landscapes and the joy of encountering stories and moments from England's past.

Three words describe a Foot Trail perfectly.

Simple - Crafted – Authentic

The press say:

"One of the 7 Adventure Vacations you need to take in your lifetime."

JetSetter.com, 2019

Foot Trails are one of England's best loved regional walking travel companies. We work within our local community, crafting walking experiences from scratch, aiming for a positive outcome for us all.

Bookings & contacts

Call +44 (0) 1747 820 626 with your chosen date, we will then confirm your place for you upon which a 25% deposit will be payable. Bank transfers and all major credit & debit cards accepted.

 +44 (0) 1747 820 626 (landline)

 Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk  www.FootTrails.co.uk

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