I don’t suppose I’ll ever neglect the sensation of standing at the beginning of the Cotswold Method within the golden village of Chipping Campden. Early morning mist hugged the rooftops, and for a second, the entire world felt hushed—prefer it was holding its breath proper together with me.
May I actually stroll 100 miles throughout England’s countryside? Was I prepared for the hills, the rain, the blisters?
I used to be nervous. However as I tightened the straps on my backpack and took these first steps previous the outdated market corridor, one thing shifted. I wasn’t simply beginning a stroll; I used to be stepping right into a story—a winding path by historical past, nature, and, in truth, myself.
Over the subsequent ten days, I wandered by historical woodlands, climbed as much as sweeping escarpments with views that made me cease in my tracks, and ended every day in villages so charming it nearly felt like I had wandered onto a film set. There have been robust climbs and muddy bootssure, but in addition these quiet, golden moments that stitched themselves into my reminiscence: a deer darting by a misty discipline, the clink of a pub doorbell as I stumbled in for a much-needed pint, a neighborhood pointing me down an overgrown path with a smile and a “You may love this bit.”
Strolling the Cotswold Method was a lot greater than only a hike. It was a journey—and one I’ll treasure for the remainder of my life.
If you happen to’re dreaming of taking up this path, whether or not subsequent month or “at some point,” that is your pleasant information to what it’s actually prefer to stroll the Cotswold Method. (And in order for you each step mapped out, with my full each day itinerary, resort suggestions, and insider suggestions, you may try my detailed information right here!
What’s the Cotswold Method?
The Cotswold Method is a Nationwide Path in southwest England that runs about 102 miles (164 km) from Chipping Campden to Bathtub.
The Cotswold Method is likely one of the official Nationwide Trails within the UOk—a set of long-distance paths specifically designated for his or her pure magnificence, cultural significance, and historic significance.
It travels by the Cotswolds Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence, well-known for its rolling hills, historical stone villages, sheep-dotted fields, and storybook surroundings. Alongside the best way, you’ll cross castles, battlefields, Neolithic burial grounds, and landscapes that look nearly too stunning to be actual.
The Cotswold Method isn’t about pace; it’s about soaking all of it in, one footstep at a time.
It seems like strolling by a narrative e-book!
My Private Journey Strolling England’s Cotswold Method
In Could 2024 I made a decision to stroll the Cotswold Method.
To not be dramatic right here however it modified my life.
I used to be residing in Oxford, England and was feeling burdened and obese. I advised my husband and he made me an in depth 4 month coaching plan. I began coaching and maintaining a healthy diet. I fell in LOVE with strolling. I misplaced 30 kilos earlier than the hike and found a deep love of the countryside and strolling.
This is the precise coaching program I adopted.
This coaching is not simple, it is demanding. Nevertheless it made the stroll itself so so so great. I truly ended up strolling 131 miles as a result of I did all the additional aspect journeys as a result of I felt SO good.
How Lengthy Does it Take to Stroll the Cotswold Method?
Most individuals take between 7 and 10 days to finish the path, although ultra-marathon varieties would possibly deal with it quicker.
👉 If you wish to benefit from the journey—stopping for cream teas, fort visits, and lengthy pub lunches—I extremely suggest giving your self round 10 days.
How lengthy it takes to stroll the Cotswold Method actually relies on two issues: how a lot you wish to stroll every day, and the way a lot you wish to discover past the path itself.
Most individuals full the Cotswold Method in 7 to 10 days.
If you happen to’re aiming for a quicker tempo and do not thoughts lengthy strolling days, you may end in 7 or 8 days (averaging 13–16 miles per day).
If, like me, you need time to soak all of it in—to wander by villages, go to castles, cease for leisurely lunches, and possibly sit on the occasional bench simply to benefit from the view—you may need nearer to 10 days.
I selected the slower, savor-everything route and walked the Cotswold Method over 10 days. And whereas the official path itself is 102 miles, by the top of my journey, my GPS tracker confirmed that I had walked 131 miles complete!
Why the additional miles?
Nicely, probably the greatest components of strolling the Cotswold Method is that you just’re by no means removed from one thing price detouring for. I ended up taking aspect journeys to discover castles, historic websites, hilltop monuments, and naturally, charming villages barely off the primary path. I couldn’t resist visiting locations like Sudeley Fortress in Winchcombe and Horton Courtroom, a ravishing medieval manor home—and each further step was completely price it.
A number of issues that added miles for me:
Wandering by cities like Painswick, Winchcombe, and Wotton-under-Edge
Taking scenic detours to castles and monuments
Strolling to and from lodging once they had been somewhat off the official route
Exploring viewpoints and nation pubs (priorities!)
So whereas the official distance is simply over 100 miles, it is good to plan for somewhat further, particularly in case you’re something like me and may’t resist an excellent aspect quest.
My recommendation:
Give your self a little bit of respiratory room together with your itinerary.
Construct in time for aspect adventures—you’ll need it!
Keep in mind, it is not nearly reaching Bathtub on the finish; it is about every part you expertise alongside the best way.
And actually? These further miles ended up being a number of the most magical components of my journey.
Belief me: your toes (and your soul) will thanks.
How Troublesome is the Cotswold Method?
The Cotswold Method is rated reasonable. It’s not a technical path—no scrambling or mountaineering required—however it’s hillier than you would possibly anticipate.
Every day brings a mixture of steep climbs, light fields, wooded paths, and the occasional rocky patch after rain. A few of these hills aren’t any joke, however the excellent news? Each climb comes with a view definitely worth the effort.
Fast information:
Terrain: rolling hills, farm tracks, woodland, nation roads
Elevation: over 8,000 toes (2,400 meters) of complete ascent
Navigation: well-marked with the acorn image, however having a map or mountaineering app is sensible (I used AllTrails app!)
Personally I had no points. No blisters. No issues. I felt nice on a regular basis. And I do know that’s as a result of I educated. And the coaching was enjoyable! I additionally had these mountaineering boots which I extremely suggest.
Greatest Time to Stroll the Cotswold Method
When you can stroll the path year-round, spring and autumn are pure magic.
Spring (April–June): Recent blooms, new child lambs, longer days.
Summer time (July–August): Heat, lush, however busier with vacationers.
Autumn (September–October): Fiery foliage, crisp air, cozy pub evenings.
Winter (November–March): Quiet however muddy, with brief sunlight hours.
I walked in early October, and it felt just like the panorama had was a portray—golden fields, rusty pink timber, and smooth mist hanging over the hills every morning.
What to Pack for Strolling the Cotswold Method
Packing correctly makes an enormous distinction. You don’t want an enormous pack weighing you down, however you do want a number of necessities:
All the pieces I like to recommend to hike with right here.
If you happen to use a baggage switch service, you’ll solely want to hold your day necessities, which makes the stroll a lot simpler and extra pleasing. I element out all the baggage switch providers and locations I stayed alongside the best way right here.
The place to Keep Alongside the Cotswold Method
There’s one thing so rewarding about ending an extended strolling day and checking into a comfortable inn or B&B.
Lodging choices alongside the path embrace:
Nation inns with roaring fireplaces
Mattress and breakfasts providing full English breakfasts
Boutique inns in historic cities
Farm stays with fields stretching out for miles
I checklist each single place I stayed right here!
Vital tip: E-book early, particularly in peak seasons! A few of the smaller villages have very restricted lodging choices.
My Video Diary of Strolling the Cotswold Method
I catalogued my journey of strolling the Cotswold Method on Instagram so you may see what every day was actually like!
My 10-Day Cotswold Method Itinerary (At a Look)
Right here’s a fast have a look at how I broke down my stroll. (Full particulars are in my paid information!)
Day 1: Chipping Campden to Broadway (8 miles)
Spotlight: Climbing as much as Broadway Tower with panoramic views throughout Worcestershire and the Malverns.
Day 2: Broadway to Winchcombe (15.5 miles)
Spotlight: Exploring the charming city of Winchcombe, with its medieval streets and close by Sudeley Fortress.
Day 3: Winchcombe to Cheltenham (11 miles)
Spotlight: Strolling alongside the dramatic escarpment with sweeping views and arriving within the spa city of Cheltenham.
Day 4: Cheltenham to Birdlip (12 miles)
Spotlight: Quiet countryside trails resulting in Crickley Hill, an historical hillfort with breathtaking views.
Day 5: Birdlip to Painswick (10 miles)
Spotlight: Seeing the well-known 99 yew timber at St Mary’s Church within the “Queen of the Cotswolds.”
Day 6: Painswick to Stonehouse (10 miles)
Spotlight: Strolling by sun-dappled woodlands and arriving at a historic resort talked about within the Domesday E-book.
Day 7: Stonehouse to Wotton-under-Edge (13.5 miles)
Spotlight: Climbing to the Tyndale Monument and absorbing a number of the greatest views of the stroll.
Day 8: Wotton-under-Edge to Outdated Sodbury (13.5 miles)
Spotlight: Crossing distant farmland and passing historical drovers’ ponds—plus a comfortable pub dinner at day’s finish.
Day 9: Outdated Sodbury to Chilly Ashton (8.5 miles)
Spotlight: Reaching Horton Courtroom, a surprising medieval manor (and filming location for a lot of interval dramas).
Day 10: Chilly Ashton to Bathtub (10 miles)
Spotlight: The grand arrival into Bathtub, strolling previous the Royal Crescent and feeling such as you’ve stepped right into a Jane Austen novel.
My High Ideas for Strolling the Cotswold Method
Begin gradual: Particularly on the primary couple of days—your physique wants to regulate.
Use a baggage switch: It’s price each penny.
Do not overpack: You may remorse it by mile 50.
Plan snack stops: Some sections have lengthy gaps with out retailers or cafes.
Benefit from the small moments: A pleasant wave from a farmer, a discipline glowing within the late afternoon solar—these had been my favourite recollections.
TRAIN. Practice forward of time. I’ve seen too many movies and tales of individuals not having an excellent time as a result of they simply did it with out coaching.
Ultimate Ideas: Why the Cotswold Method Stays With You
Strolling the Cotswold Method isn’t nearly overlaying miles. It’s about strolling by layers of time, by tales written into the hills and stones. It’s about discovering stillness in a loud world, connecting to one thing larger, slower, and someway extra actual.
If you happen to dream of a visit crammed with magnificence, historical past, and an excellent little bit of muddy journey, that is your signal.
And in case you’d like much more assist (like my detailed step-by-step itinerary, resort and restaurant picks, packing lists, GPS downloads, and real-world recommendation), seize my paid information right here. It is like having a pleasant path buddy proper in your pocket.
Hope to see you on the path.
