Description
- Visiting the Cotswolds between May and September?
- Craving a gentle countryside experience rather than a strenuous hike?
- Traveling alone, with a partner, or a small group?
Then this is the tour of the Cotswolds for you!
At Go Cotswolds, we stand out as one of the few tour companies in and around the Cotswolds that offers budget-friendly, shared, small group guided tours. Our Cotswolds Walks & Villages tour centres on leisurely walks along some of the Cotswolds’ most scenic trails. Don’t fret – this is an introductory walking tour, so hiking boots and poles are not required!
Perfect as a standalone journey or paired with our Cotswolds in a Day tour for an amazing two-day adventure.
Itinerary for this Cotswolds walking tour:
After picking up our tour guests from Stratford-upon-Avon (8.50AM) and then Moreton-in-Marsh (9.30AM), we’ll visit the following locations on this Cotswolds walking tour (timings are approximate and may vary):
- Walk to Broadway Tower (1.6 km/1 mile, allowing 40 minutes). With your guide, you’ll follow part of the Cotswold Way National Trail, venturing through age-old woodlands and over softly undulating landscapes until you reach Broadway Tower, perched atop the second-highest peak in the Cotswolds.
- Broadway Tower. Take your time to admire the views across the Cotswolds, and see if you can spot the herd of resident red deer. There’s a coffee shop, gift shop and toilets here, and for an extra fee (payable on the day), you can also climb the Tower if you wish.
- Broadway. Walk back to the minibus with your guide (1.6 km/1 mile). Or, continue your walk down the hill, following the Cotswold Way National Trail (2.4 km/1.5 miles). Either way, you’ll arrive in the lovely village of Broadway, where you can enjoy free time (at least 1 hour, usually a bit longer) for lunch and shopping.
- Circular walk (max. 4.5km/2.75 miles, allowing 1 hour 30 minutes). After a quick comfort break in Burford if needed, your guide will lead you on a walk through the peaceful countryside of the Windrush Valley. On the way, you’ll discover up to 3 pretty Cotswold villages, one which has connections to both Downton Abbey and the notorious Mitford sisters! If preferred, there are shorter route alternatives or the option to bypass this walk entirely.
- Burford. At the end of the day, enjoy some free time (min. 1 hour) in beautiful, historic Burford. Here you can explore, shop, or simply unwind in one of the many pubs and cafes after a day on your feet. If you choose to skip the circular walk, you can spend the whole afternoon in Burford instead.
Pick up times and locations:
- 08.50: Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal, Windsor Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 09.30: Moreton-in-Marsh – Moreton-in-Marsh train station (wait in the car park near the ticket office)
Please ensure you choose the correct pick up point!
Occasionally, all guests for a particular tour request pick up from Stratford-upon-Avon, and if so, we will not go to Moreton-in-Marsh. Likewise, if all guests have requested pick up from Moreton-in-Marsh, we will not go to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Therefore, please ensure you select the correct pick up point when you make your booking! If you would like to change your pick up point after booking, you can do so using the ‘Manage this booking’ link in your confirmation email, or by contacting Go Cotswolds. If you’re not sure which pick up point to choose, please ask!
Drop-off times and locations:
- 17.00 – Moreton-in-Marsh train station
- 17.30 – Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal
If you would like to be picked up in Stratford-upon-Avon and dropped off in Moreton-in-Marsh, or vice versa, no problem!
Train travel
From London (Paddington station), Reading, Oxford, Charlbury, Kingham, Honeybourne, Evesham or Worcester, take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh. We’ll pick you up from right outside Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
From Birmingham, take a direct train to Stratford-upon-Avon – our pick up point is just a 5-10 minute walk from Stratford-upon-Avon train station. (See this Google Map for walking directions.)
We always recommend you buy a flexible ‘anytime’ ticket that allows you to take any train. The times stated above are usually the latest we expect to get to the drop-off points – we are often a few minutes earlier, but we can never 100% guarantee this. If you have a flexible ticket, then you can take an earlier train and won’t have to wait around.
However, if you wish to book a particular train to take advantage of cheaper ‘advance single’ tickets, then we recommend you plan to depart after the drop-off times stated above.
We recommend The Trainline* for online train ticket booking. Book 6-8 weeks before your travel date for the best prices.
What to wear?
Please dress in comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the weather conditions. Bring a raincoat or umbrella if it’s raining, and a hat and sunscreen if it’s hot.
Wear comfortable, flat, closed-toe shoes like trainers/sneakers or trail shoes. You won’t need hiking boots or poles. Leave the sandals/flip-flops at home – nobody wants blisters or sheep poo in between their toes!
What’s included?
- Transport in one of our executive class, air-conditioned 16-seater Mercedes minibuses
- Plenty of free time, so you can explore several places in the Cotswolds in one day.
- 1-3 guided walks so you can experience the peace and tranquillity of the Cotswolds on foot.
- Maps and information with our recommended things to see and do, so you can make the most of your free time.
- Expert insights from one of our fun, friendly and experienced walking guides. All of our guides are locals, so we’ll bring the story of the Cotswolds to life.
What’s not included in this Cotswolds walking tour?
- Lunch and refreshments, so bring your own picnic, or purchase food and drinks at the stops on the tour
- Entry to Broadway Tower – if you wish to climb up the tower, you can pay the entrance fee for this on the day.
Important information:
- This Cotswolds walking tour operates on selected dates between May and September only. This is when the weather and footpath conditions are most suitable.
- You will enjoy this Cotswolds walking tour most if you can easily walk 3 miles/5km on mixed terrain and complete all 3 walks. There are easier/alternative options for less able walkers, but you should be able to walk a minimum of 1 mile/1.6km
- Paths are mostly flat, with some small hills, and are a mixture of gravel track, woodland trail, grassy fields and sealed roads. Depending on the weather, paths can be wet, muddy, slippery, and uneven.
- On the (optional) afternoon walk, the route involves climbing over stiles and crossing cattle grids. Therefore we do not recommend this tour if you have mobility or stability issues that might make this hazardous for you.
- Regretfully, this tour is not suitable for users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters or walking frames.
- Your participation in this tour is entirely at your own risk. If we feel that your participation in the tour would be detrimental to the other people in the group, then we may encourage you to take the easier/alternative options. If you are in any doubt as to whether this tour is suitable for you, please just ask.
Cancellation policy, terms and conditions:
Our Cotswolds Walks & Villages tour may be amended, or cancelled for a full refund, up to 24 hours before departure. No refunds are given for no-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time.
We’re sorry, children under 3 are not permitted on this tour, and we don’t recommend the tour for children under 8.
Click here for our Terms and Conditions
