The outstanding 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.
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.
COTSWOLDS WALKS MAP
Below is an overall view of the 8 Cotswolds Walks included in this article. Under the information for each individual walk, is a map which includes step-by-step hiking instructions.
To use this map: Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.
1. CASTLE COMBE LOOP WALK
Start: Free Car Park Castle Combe (just outside the village)
Distance: 9 kilometres
Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: A circular walk in verdant countryside surrounding an idyllic picturesque village.
The pretty village of Castle Combe, is small but perfectly formed. It is also one of the most popular places to visit in the Cotswolds. 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.
Ascending up a banked trail, it continues through a mixture of open countryside and returns via a wooded glen. Before arriving full circle into Castle Combe, you are afforded excellent views across the golf course of the village, manor house, and church.
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.
DOWNLOAD MAP: Castle Combe Walk
2. BROADWAY TOWER WALK
Start: Leamington Car Park Broadway Village
Distance: 6.5 kilometres
Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: The best Cotswolds walk for combining one of the most famous Cotswolds Villages with spectacular views across an iconic tower.
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, making it a perfect base for a weekend in the Cotswolds.
This bewitching walk which follows part of the Cotswold Way, 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 Café. 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.
DON’T MISS | A tour of the Tower, which showcases the history of its colourful over three floors of exhibitions.
DOWNLOAD MAP: Broadway Tower Walk
3. WOODCHESTER MANSION & WOODLAND
Start: Woodchester Park National Trust Carpark
Distance: 6 kilometres
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: One of the best circular walks for discovering a hidden mansion in lush surrounding countryside.
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 route 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.
One of the relatively easy short circular walks in the Cotswolds, through fine countryside.
DON’T MISS | A self-guided tour of the Mansion, an unfinished yet intriguing Gothic styled masterpiece.
DOWNLOAD MAP: Woodchester Mansion & Woodland Walk
4, CHIPPING CAMPDEN & DOVERS HILL WALK
Start: Chipping Campden School Carpark
Distance: 7.2 kilometres
Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: One of the best circular walks in the Cotswolds to explore a charming village, and view outstanding natural beauty.
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.
Captain Robert Dover founded the Cotswold Olimpicks on Dover’s Hill in the 17th century, and they are still celebrated every year.
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 a kissing gate, the entry point to Dover’s Hill.
Follow a line of sycamores though a small wood before continuing downhill into the terraced slopes of Lynches Wood. As the path loops through the trees, a set of steps lead you back up onto the hillside, and the hill summit.
Enjoy the soul-lifting views, a window into the rolling Cotswold countryside before returning back to town.
DON’T MISS | Wandering around town to discover its rich history, and browsing the wealth of independent shops.
DOWNLOAD MAP: Chipping Campden & Dovers Hill Walk
5. LACOCK RIVERSIDE WALK
Start: Hither Way Car Park SN15 2LG
Distance: 3.2 kilometres
Time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: The best Cotswolds walk for an easy family stroll that takes you around a beautiful medieval village, through open fields, with views of a majestic Abbey.
Follow the signposted path through the trees to the village. 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, are perfect to explore.
Passing the entrance to Lacock Abbey and Fox Talbot Museum, turn right into East Street followed by a right into Church Street. Cross over the Bide Brook via the packhorse bridge, and continue up the lane turning left to cross a stile into a field.
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.
DOWNLOAD MAP: Lacock Riverside Walk
6. ROLLRIGHT STONES WALK
Start: Salford Village
Distance: 8.3 kilometres
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: The best circular walk in the Cotswolds for pre-historic hilltop stones, and incredible valley views.
Some Cotswolds walking routes are all about the scenery. This is one of those walks. 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.
DOWNLOAD MAP: Rollright Stones Walk
7. MINSTER LOVELL RUINS VIA CRAWLEY
Start: Recreation Ground Carpark
Distance: 5.6 kilometres
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: The best circular walk in the Cotswolds for ethereal ruins in a tranquil setting.
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 picturesque ruins of 15th century Minster Lovell Hall include a fine hall, tower and nearby dovecote.
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.
DOWNLOAD MAP | Minster Lovell Ruins Walk
8. BOURTON, NAUNTON & THE SLAUGHTERS
Start: Bourton On The Water Car and Coach Car Park
Distance: 16.5 kilometres
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
Map: Walking Instructions
Highlight: This is one of the best circular pub walks in the Cotswolds.
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.
DOWNLOAD MAP | Bourton, Naunton & Slaughters Walk
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.
When visiting the Cotswolds, hiking is one of the best ways to fully appreciate the stunning countryside in this part of England. We hope this pick of our favourite circular walks in the Cotswolds has convinced you to pack your walking shoes for your next trip.
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