Cotswold Way

Cotswold Way

A magnificent trail showcasing the world-famous Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

4 to 14 nights
26-102 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous

From £490 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

The Cotswold Way walk runs along the western edge of the Cotswold Hills from the old wool town of Chipping Campden to the historic city of Bath, showcasing varied terrain and unforgettable views. Along the way, the walking holiday encounters tranquil woodlands and sheltered valleys dotted with welcoming towns, villages and hamlets.

Each settlement boasts intriguing insights into the region’s fascinating past, while the surrounding landscapes also feature a wealth of historical landmarks such as hill forts, castles and ancient battle sites. The Cotswold Way is an iconic trail filled with everything a walker could wish for from this magical realm.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Cotswold Way
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Cotswold Way - North Section
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options Cotswold Way - South Section
  • Cotswold Way Short Break

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

Reverse tours available

This route can be walked in either direction - just tick the 'Reverse Tours' box when choosing your tour to see options travelling in the non-standard direction.

Trail running tours available

We also organise trail running holidays along this route. Find out more.

About this route

7 to 14 nights
102 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous
2nd January to 24th December
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £800 per person

Cotswold Way

This tour encompasses all 103 miles of the world-renowned Cotswold Way National Trail.

Starting from Chipping Campden and finishing in the World Heritage-listed city of Bath, this trail proudly showcases the finest scenery, history, architecture and culture the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has to offer.

This route can also be travelled in the opposite direction if preferred. Select the ‘Reverse tours’ option when choosing your itinerary.

Walking the Cotswold Way with Contours Walking Holidays

Outdoor Journalist Damian Hall takes a walk from Chipping Campden to the Heritage Listed City of Bath, along one of the most quintessentially English trails in the country.
Watch Now

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
COTW0 From Chipping Campden to Bath 7 nights, 6 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £800
COTW1 From Chipping Campden to Bath 8 nights, 7 days walking Demanding £905
COTW2 From Chipping Campden to Bath 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1020
COTW3 From Chipping Campden to Bath 10 nights, 9 days walking Moderate / Demanding £1130
COTW4 From Chipping Campden to Bath 11 nights, 10 days walking Moderate £1240
COTW5 From Chipping Campden to Bath 12 nights, 11 days walking Moderate £1350
COTW6 From Chipping Campden to Bath 13 nights, 12 days walking Easy / Moderate £1455
COTW7 From Chipping Campden to Bath 14 nights, 13 days walking Easy / Moderate £1565

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
COTWSB From Dowdeswell(T) to King's Stanley(L) 4 nights, 3 days walking Moderate £495
"Final Picnic on Prospect Stile" by Robert Evans (2021) "Final Picnic on Prospect Stile" by Robert Evans (2021)
"Dyrham Park House" by Robert Evans (2021) "Dyrham Park House" by Robert Evans (2021)
"Shadows of the Essentials" by Robert Evans (2021) "Shadows of the Essentials" by Robert Evans (2021)
"Early Morning in Stanton" by Robert Evans (2021) "Early Morning in Stanton" by Robert Evans (2021)
"Friendly Sheep in Selsley" by Robert Evans (2021) "Friendly Sheep in Selsley" by Robert Evans (2021)
"View from Frocester Hill" by Robert Evans (2021) "View from Frocester Hill" by Robert Evans (2021)
"View from Cleeve Common" by Lindsey Way (2021) "View from Cleeve Common" by Lindsey Way (2021)
"Well Earned Rest" by Lindsey Way (2021) "Well Earned Rest" by Lindsey Way (2021)
"Signpost at Wortley Hill" by Penelope Brook (2020) "Signpost at Wortley Hill" by Penelope Brook (2020)
"Wet Autumn Day at Dyrham" by Penelope Brook (2020) "Wet Autumn Day at Dyrham" by Penelope Brook (2020)
"Cotswold Escarpment from Coaley Peak" by Jim Bigelow (2019) "Cotswold Escarpment from Coaley Peak" by Jim Bigelow (2019)
"Dyrham Wood" by Jim Bigelow (2019) "Dyrham Wood" by Jim Bigelow (2019)
"Stone Tower" by Jim Bigelow (2019) "Stone Tower" by Jim Bigelow (2019)
"Heading towards Birdlip" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2019) "Heading towards Birdlip" by Christopher Talbot-Ponsonby (2019)
"Hailes Abbey" by Gesche Henningsen (2019) "Hailes Abbey" by Gesche Henningsen (2019)
"Sheep and Thistles" by Martin Lehnoff (2019) "Sheep and Thistles" by Martin Lehnoff (2019)
"Broadway Tower" by Hazel Burns (2018) "Broadway Tower" by Hazel Burns (2018)
"Patchwork Landscape" by Arthur Brown (2018) "Patchwork Landscape" by Arthur Brown (2018)
"Racing the Rain" by Arthur Brown (2018) "Racing the Rain" by Arthur Brown (2018)
"Cotswold Zebra" by Mary Brown (2018) "Cotswold Zebra" by Mary Brown (2018)
"The End of the Cotswold Way in Bath" by Linda Logan (2018) "The End of the Cotswold Way in Bath" by Linda Logan (2018)
"Bath" by Linda Logan (2018) "Bath" by Linda Logan (2018)
"Falling off a Tire Swing on the way to Kings Stanley" by Linda Logan (2018) "Falling off a Tire Swing on the way to Kings Stanley" by Linda Logan (2018)
"Cotswold Pets in Stanton" by Linda Logan (2018) "Cotswold Pets in Stanton" by Linda Logan (2018)
"A Rainy Day Outside Chipping Campden" by Carmen Matthews (2017) "A Rainy Day Outside Chipping Campden" by Carmen Matthews (2017)
"Hiker or Shepherd?" by Duncan Thomas (2017) "Hiker or Shepherd?" by Duncan Thomas (2017)
"Gate on the Cotswold Way" by Duncan Thomas (2017) "Gate on the Cotswold Way" by Duncan Thomas (2017)
"Lunch Stop at Cold Ashton" by Duncan Thomas (2017) "Lunch Stop at Cold Ashton" by Duncan Thomas (2017)
"View from Pulteney Bridge" by Duncan Thomas (2017) "View from Pulteney Bridge" by Duncan Thomas (2017)
"Stanton" by Rachel Parsons (2017) "Stanton" by Rachel Parsons (2017)
"Autumnal Colours between Stanton and Stanway" by Rachel Parsons (2017) "Autumnal Colours between Stanton and Stanway" by Rachel Parsons (2017)
"Between Cold Ashton and Bath" by Rachel Parsons (2017) "Between Cold Ashton and Bath" by Rachel Parsons (2017)
"Directing the Way" by Rachel Parsons (2017) "Directing the Way" by Rachel Parsons (2017)
"Looking back to Broadway Tower" by Rachel Parsons (2017) "Looking back to Broadway Tower" by Rachel Parsons (2017)
Cotswold Way Signpost - Cotswold Way Signpost
Cotswold Way Signpost Cotswold Way Signpost

Customer reviews from the Cotswold Way

“Everything turned out just as I wanted it to. It was a really tough challenge both mentally and physically some days but so rewarding!”
Ms Bohman, Sweden
“Richard and myself had a first class holiday on the Cotswold way enjoying mostly dry weather.”
Mr Deavin, UK
“Well organised, generally accommodation was very good, and everyone we met was friendly and welcoming.”
Mrs McGoldrick, UK
“The whole route was really beautiful, even under the rain, so it is very difficult to choose a favourite part.”
Miss Detraz, France
“Well organised as usual. A wonderful mix if steep escarpment, rolling farmland with plenty of trees and some super woodland sections. All this mixed with some lovely villages/small towns. I am already considering trails for next year. I really do not have a favourite section, as I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY.”
Mr Richardson, UK
“Very enjoyable.”
Mrs Horrocks, UK
“Had a great time.”
Mr Bone, USA
“Communications and arrangements were flawless, as also previously found. Thank you! Very happy with all my Contours walking holidays and am now deciding on one for 2022. Thank you!”
Ms Sheetz, USA
“It exceeded our expectations. It was excellent.”
Mrs Barrett-Rendler, USA
Find your holiday