Discover Cotswolds Walk

Arrive in Oxford at your leisure and take the short transfer to your 17th-century hotel in central Oxford. The hotel is a short 5-minute taxi ride, there are taxis situated just outside the station. This evening your guide will meet you at the bar at 6 pm for welcome drinks and introductions before you settle in for the night.

Guided walking tour of Oxford

After breakfast we start with a private guided walk around Oxford. Along with your Alumni guide, you’ll visit key historical sights around the city including the historic great dining hall, lecture halls and the Bodleian Library. Take the afternoon to relax or explore the city on your own. Later, we’ll meet at your hotel ahead of an evening not to be forgotten. 

We’ll enjoy a river cruise on an Edwardian riverboat, enjoying a glass of Champagne as we pass landmarks such as Folly Bridge, Christ Church meadows and the university boat houses. After the cruise, we’ll enjoy a 6-course tasting menu on the terrace whilst watching the sun set over the glistening River Thames.

Approximately 3-4 hours of walking (12km)

The hike begins in the small village of Farmington and is the first of 3 sections of the Monarch’s Way that we’ll hike during the trip. This short section of the 625-mile long-distance trail leads us into the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, Bourton-on-the-Water where you’ll have some free time to explore the vibrant village. 

Today's hike ends at our hotel situated in Upper Slaughter nestled in 8 acres of lawns and grandiose gardens.

Approximately 4-5 hours of walking (15km)

We’ll head north on our second section of the Monarchs Way that we will cover on this trip. Today's walk will take us through the delightful market town of Stow-on-the-Wold and onto Moreton-in-Marsh, a thriving market town lined with elegant Cotswolds stone buildings which house many specialist shops, antique emporiums, tea rooms and delis.

Approximately 4-5 hours walking (12km)

With fine views of the surrounding countryside, today's undulating countryside hike will take us to what is frequently referred to as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Cotswold towns, Chipping Campden. the town is also one of the best preserved and most historically important towns which was once the heart of the local wool trade. A planned town of the late 12th century, its original layout can still be traced along the High Street.

Approximately 2-3 hours walking (7km)

After breakfast, we’ll transfer towards Stratford-upon-Avon. A significant historical market town, birthplace and childhood home of William Shakespeare. Today we’ll hike a section of Shakespeare’s Avon Way into the town where you'll have a free afternoon. Perhaps visit Ann Hathaway's cottage or Shakespeare’s childhood home, or simply have lunch by the river. We’ll transfer back to Chipping Campden mid-afternoon.

Approximately 3 hours walking (10km)

The Cotswolds Way runs for 102 miles along the Cotswold escarpment, the trail officially starts in Chipping Campden and we’ll hike the first 2 sections over 2 days. The start will take us up Dover’s Hill, offering great views across the region. 

We then cross green fields, passing Broadway Tower, before descending into Broadway itself, which has strong links to the Arts & Crafts movement. Once into the classically beautiful village, we’ll enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at a historic hotel steeped in over 600 years of fascinating history

Approximately 4-5 hours walking (15km)

The second part of the Cotswold Way takes us from Broadway to Toddington Station. Along the route, we’ll pass the idyllic village of Stanton and continue over the picturesque rolling terrain on our way to Stanway House, an outstandingly beautiful example of a Jacobean manor house famous for its 300 feet single-jet fountain, the highest in Britain and the highest gravity fountain in the world. After a private tour, we’ll continue on our way to Toddington Station where we’ll enjoy a train ride back to Broadway.

Approximately 5-6 hours walking (16km)

This morning we’ll transfer out of the Cotswolds and into the Malvern Hills for our final walk of the trip. The Malvern line dominates the surrounding landscape with the highest peak, Worcestershire Beacon standing at 425 meters. The walk will take us from the southern end to the northern end of the Malverns covering over more than 10 peaks. 

On a clear day you can expect a panorama of the Severn Valley, the hills of Herefordshire and the Welsh mountains, parts of thirteen counties, the Bristol Channel, and the cathedrals of Worcester, Gloucester and Hereford. We’ll transfer back to Broadway for our final night in the Cotswolds and cap off an excellent trip with a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, take a final stroll along the high street and find some final souvenirs to take home from a great hiking trip in the English Cotswolds. Unfortunately, it’s then time to leave the Cotswolds behind and transfer back to Oxford, it’s just over 1 hour back to Oxford where the trip ends at approximately 11:00 am.