I don’t suppose I’ll ever neglect the sensation of standing at first 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 However as I tightened the straps on my backpack and took these first steps previous the outdated market corridor, one thing shifted.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 following 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 boots, sure, but additionally these quiet, golden moments that stitched themselves into my reminiscence: a deer darting by a misty area, 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 will 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.
In the event you’re dreaming of taking over this path, whether or not subsequent month or “someday,” that is your pleasant information to what it’s actually wish to stroll the Cotswold Method. (And if you’d like each step mapped out, with my full day by day itinerary, resort suggestions, and insider ideas, you possibly can take a look at 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 way in which, you’ll go castles, battlefields, Neolithic burial grounds, and landscapes that look nearly too lovely to be actual.
The Cotswold Method isn’t about velocity; it’s about soaking all of it in, one footstep at a time.
It appears like strolling by a narrative ebook!
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 harassed and obese. I informed 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 straightforward, it is demanding. However it made the stroll itself so so so fantastic. I truly ended up strolling 131 miles as a result of I did all the additional facet 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 may deal with it quicker.
👉 If you wish to benefit from the journey—stopping for cream teas, citadel 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 need to stroll every day, and the way a lot you need to discover past the path itself.
Most individuals full the Cotswold Method in 7 to 10 days.
- In the event you’re aiming for a quicker tempo and do not thoughts lengthy strolling days, you possibly can 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 will 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 tip of my journey, my GPS tracker confirmed that I had walked 131 miles complete!
Why the additional miles?
Nicely, among the finest components of strolling the Cotswold Method is that you simply’re by no means removed from one thing value detouring for. I ended up taking facet journeys to discover castles, historic websites, hilltop monuments, and naturally, charming villages barely off the principle path. I couldn’t resist visiting locations like Sudeley Citadel in Winchcombe and Horton Courtroom, a good looking medieval manor home—and each further step was completely value 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 after 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 if you happen to’re something like me and might’t resist facet quest.
My recommendation:
- Give your self a little bit of respiratory room together with your itinerary.
- Construct in time for facet adventures—you’ll need it!
- Keep in mind, it isn’t nearly reaching Bathtub on the finish; it is about every part you expertise alongside the way in which.
And actually? These further miles ended up being among the most magical components of my journey.
Belief me: your ft (and your soul) will thanks.
How Tough is the Cotswold Method?
The Cotswold Method is rated average. It’s not a technical path—no scrambling or mountaineering required—however it’s hillier than you may count on.
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 well worth the effort.
Fast information:
- Terrain: rolling hills, farm tracks, woodland, nation roads
- Elevation: over 8,000 ft (2,400 meters) of complete ascent
- Navigation: well-marked with the acorn image, however having a map or mountain climbing 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 mountain climbing boots which I extremely suggest.
Finest Time to Stroll the Cotswold Method
When you can stroll the path year-round, spring and autumn are pure magic.
- Spring (April–June): Contemporary 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 became a portray—golden fields, rusty crimson timber, and comfortable mist hanging over the hills every morning.
What to Pack for Strolling the Cotswold Method
Packing properly makes an enormous distinction. You don’t want an enormous pack weighing you down, however you do want just a few necessities:
All the pieces I like to recommend to hike with right here.
In the event you use a baggage switch service, you’ll solely want to hold your day necessities, which makes the stroll a lot simpler and extra pleasant. I element out all the baggage switch providers and locations I stayed alongside the way in which right here.
The place to Keep Alongside the Cotswold Method
There’s one thing so rewarding about ending a protracted strolling day and checking into a comfy inn or B&B.
Lodging choices alongside the path embody:
- Nation inns with roaring fireplaces
- Mattress and breakfasts providing full English breakfasts
- Boutique accommodations in historic cities
- Farm stays with fields stretching out for miles
I record each single place I stayed right here!
Necessary tip: Ebook 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 possibly can see what every day was actually like!
My 10-Day Cotswold Method Itinerary (At a Look)
Right here’s a fast take 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 Citadel.
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 Ebook.
Day 7: Stonehouse to Wotton-under-Edge (13.5 miles)
Spotlight: Climbing to the Tyndale Monument and absorbing among the finest views of the stroll.
Day 8: Wotton-under-Edge to Previous Sodbury (13.5 miles)
Spotlight: Crossing distant farmland and passing historical drovers’ ponds—plus a comfy pub dinner at day’s finish.
Day 9: Previous 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 Prime Suggestions for Strolling the Cotswold Method
- Begin sluggish: Particularly on the primary couple of days—your physique wants to regulate.
- Use a baggage switch: It’s value each penny.
- Do not overpack: You will remorse it by mile 50.
- Plan snack stops: Some sections have lengthy gaps with out outlets or cafes.
- Benefit from the small moments: A pleasant wave from a farmer, a area glowing within the late afternoon solar—these had been my favourite reminiscences.
- TRAIN. Prepare forward of time. I’ve seen too many movies and tales of individuals not having time as a result of they only did it with out coaching.
Remaining Ideas: Why the Cotswold Method Stays With You
Strolling the Cotswold Method isn’t nearly masking 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.
In the event you dream of a visit stuffed with magnificence, historical past, and little bit of muddy journey, that is your signal.
And if you happen to’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.
