8 Best Circular Walks In The Cotswolds (Plus Maps)

 

The stunning natural beauty of the Cotswolds countryside, is suffused with paths to explore on foot. Here’s our choice of the best circular walks in the Cotswolds, along with maps, to navigate these open meadows.

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The Cotswolds in England, are bathed with great swathes of verdant rolling hills, limestone escarpments and hidden valleys. Brooks meander through charming villages, clad in buttery-coloured stone. Sweeping meadows come dappled with grazing sheep, and impressive views. Welcoming pubs offer comfort and fortitude beside roaring fires.

There’s no better way to explore this picturesque region, than by lacing up your walking boots, and setting off on foot.

Here are our favourite circular Cotswolds walks, that display all the qualities of this marvellous region.

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8 BEST WALKS IN THE COTSWOLDS FOR SUBLIME VIEWS

 

1 | CASTLE COMBE LOOP

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for a wooded glen and charming village setting

Start: Free Car Park Castle Combe | Distance: 9 kilometres | Time: 2 hours 50 minutes |  Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

The picturesque village of Castle Combe, is small but perfectly formed. With a central Market Cross, 12th century church, ancient weavers’ cottages and a stunning Manor House, it embodies perfection to a tee.

The walk begins in the village itself, crossing a packhorse bridge over the By Brook, before venturing off into adjacent woodland. Rising up Rack Hill, the path cuts through forest, into the small hamlet of Long Dean.

Continuing through a mixture of open countryside and a wooded glen, you are afforded excellent views, before arriving full circle into Castle Combe.

DON’T MISS | A bite to eat and a refreshing drink at the Castle Inn. With its dark beams and open fire, its a welcoming sight at the end of the walk.

   

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2 | BROADWAY TOWER WALK

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for stunning views from an iconic folly

Start: Leamington Car Park Broadway Village | Distance: 6.5 kilometres | Time: 2 hours 20 minutes |  Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Broadway once served as a busy stagecoach stop on the route from Worcester to London. Today, it is well-served with highly regarded pubs, restaurants, hotels art galleries and antique shops.

This bewitching walk has many intriguing features along its course. The village itself has an upmarket feel to its wide horse chestnut tree-lined High Street. Your walk begins here, past classic rose adorned honey stone cottages.

It continues up the western Cotswold escarpment, past quiet rolling hills and sheep dotted pastures. Two short steep sections, bring you to the top of Beacon Hill. Siting majestically atop the hill is Broadway Tower, a quaint yet majestic looking folly. You are standing at the second highest point in the Cotswolds.

Offering stupendous escarpment views as far as you can see, the 50-acre estate of parkland is called home by a resident herd of red deer.

The first thing to greet you on arrival, is appealing Morris & Brown cafe. Grab a coffee and one of their delicious homemade muffins, and pick a spot to enjoy the spectacular views.

With only a couple of steep parts to navigate as you ascend and descend, the walk is easy going. Celebrate your arrival back into Broadway, with a glass of chilled wine at Lygon Arms Hotel. Once a local Manor House, it is now a luxury hotel, with the likes of Prince Phillip on its guest book.

DON’T MISS | A tour of the Tower, which showcases the history of its colourful over three floors of exhibitions.

   

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3 | WOODCHESTER MANSION & WOODLAND

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for uncovering a hidden Mansion in a green valley

Start: Woodchester Park National Trust Carpark | Distance: 6 kilometres | Time:  2 hours |  Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Tucked away near Nympsfield in Gloucestershire, this picturesque woodland walk, is rugged yet scenic. The focal point is an unfinished Gothic styled Mansion, sitting comfortably in lush green pastureland. Surrounded by thick forest woodland, it is a summer home to Greater Horseshoe Bats.

The walk passes through woodland, over dams, past fields of Welsh black cattle and over verdant parkland and hills. Looping around three ponds, you are privy to an 18th century Boathouse, before returning around the back of the Mansion.

A relatively easy walk through fine countryside, to blow the cobwebs away.

DON’T MISS | A self-guided tour of the Mansion, an unfinished yet intriguing Gothic styled masterpiece.

   

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4 | CHIPPING CAMPDEN & DOVERS HILL

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for incorporating a charming historic village and incredible hilltop views

Start: Chipping Campden School Carpark | Distance: 7.2 kilometres | Time: 2.5-3.5 hours |  Difficulty: Moderate

You most definitely sense an air of wealth and style in this historic and charming village. Chipping Campden has a long history of wool, which can still be seen today, in the wonderful stone buildings.

This enjoyable walk, poignantly begins at the marker for the start/end of the Cotswold Way. It escorts you along the long flowing High Street, packed with quirky one-off shops, cafes and galleries.

The track then heads off into shaded woodland, as it steadily climbs to Dover’s Hill. It is the perfect introduction to the stunning scenery offered in the Cotswolds.

Don’t worry, you can refuel on your return, at the many welcoming eateries. In fact you will be spoilt for choice.

DON’T MISS | Wandering around town to discover its rich history, and browsing the wealth of independent shops.

   

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5 | LACOCK RIVERSIDE WALK

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for exploring winding streets, open fields and spotting a majestic Abbey

Start: Hither Way Car Park | Distance: 3.2 kilometres | Time: 40 minutes |  Difficulty: Easy

Standing in Lacock’s High Street, it is obvious why the village is a favourite for film sets. From Pride and Prejudice, to Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. This is a village untouched by time.

The winding streets, 13th century Abbey and ancient stone cottages, there is much to explore.

This easy walk takes you through this picturesque village, down quiet lanes, across fields and alongside riverbanks. Plus, you get a bird’s eye view of majestic Lacock Abbey.

The village’s most famous appearances include ‘Downton Abbey’, the BBC’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Cranford’, and the films ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ and ‘Wolfman’.

DON’T MISS | A stroll around Lacock Abbey cloister garden, with its vaulted rooms, and a visit to the Fox Talbot Museum.

   

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6 | ROLLRIGHT STONES

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for pre-historic hilltop stones and incredible valley views

Start:  Salford Village | Distance:  8.3kilometres | Time:  3 hours |  Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

One of the main attractions of the Cotswolds, is the stunning landscape. This walk is all about the scenery. Beginning in the village of Salford, this wonderful walk takes you through wide-open fields and across vast open countryside. Stiles transport you through woodland and grassy banks.

With magnificent views, you are also privy to some unusual, prehistoric megalithic monuments. These Rollright Stones sit majestically within the rolling hill landscape.

Each group of stones, dates back from a different century, and although their function is unclear, they are worthy of exploration.

DON’T MISS | The tiny church of St.Philip’s, in Little Rollright. This isolated country church boasts a pair of superb 17th-century wall tombs.

   

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7 | MINSTER LOVELL RUINS VIA CRAWLEY

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for ethereal ruins in a tranquil setting

Start:  Recreation Ground Carpark | Distance:  5.6 kilometres | Time:  1hour 45 mins |  Difficulty: Easy

The pretty village of Minster Lovell is located in the heart of Oxfordshire countryside. Sitting romantically on the banks of the River Windrush, the row of stone thatched cottages conjure up a quiet, serene village life.

This easy yet scenic walk, starts at the Recreation Ground with its immaculate grassed cricket pitch. It leads you through the quaint village, passing The Old Swan, a quintessential country inn.

Heading through open countryside to the nearby village of Crawley, you return alongside the banks of the River Windrush.

At the end, are the romantic ruins of 15th century Minster Lovell Hall to explore. The ancient monument has plenty of stories to tell

The route can get quite muddy after wet weather, so good walking boots come in handy.

DON’T MISS | A picnic sitting along the banks of the River Windrush, the ruins as a backdrop, followed up with some wild swimming!

   

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8 | BOURTON, NAUNTON & THE SLAUGHTERS

Best Walk In The Cotswolds for rolling green fields and quaint villages

Start:  Bourton On The Water Car and Coach Car Park | Distance:  16.5 kilometres | Time:  5 hours |  Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

The Cotswolds are quintessentially British, and this walk captures their resplendence completely.

The walk begins in the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-water with its trendy eateries. Picking up the Warden’s Way, it follows open fields to the villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter. The River Eye, a tributary of the Windrush, flows between them.

These two utterly delightful villages, have been untouched for over a hundred years. Honey coloured cottages mingle with stone footbridges, pretty village greens and an impressive 19th century water mill.

Leaving the Slaughters behind, the track climbs over open green rolling fields, before descending into Naunton. The Black Horse Inn, dating back to the 1800s, offers a place to refresh.

Accompanied by the River Windrush, the track joins the Windrush Way. It meanders across open countryside, over stiles and through woods, as it heads back into Bourton-on-the-water.

DON’T MISS | A wander around the Old Mill Museum in Lower Slaughter.

   

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USING THE MAPS FOR NAVIGATION

 

The Trail instructions for each circular walk can be downloaded and taken with you. Each step is detailed, so you have your own personal guide along with you.

To do this, simply click on the link for each trail and save to your Google Maps App.

• Click on the star in the Title bar (next to GlobalGadding)
• Open your Google Maps App
• Go to SAVED at the bottom of your menu bar (bookmark icon)
• Go to MAPS and click on the applicable walk. Your phone will begin to track your location on the map.
• By clicking on each numbered marker, you can follow the clear directions.

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WHERE TO NEXT?

 

While you are in the area, why not visit Bath on a day trip. It is a great city, packed with wonderful architecture, museums and of course the Roman Baths.

There is plenty of exploring to be had in Cotswolds villages, so be sure to stay awhile and wander the picturesque streets.

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