Cotswold Village Trail
A 90-mile long-distance walk in the Cotswold Hills which complements the Cotswold Way, avoiding market towns to focus on the picturesque villages along the route. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SP 161 435
Distance: 90 miles (144 km)
Time: 38–45 hours
Duration: 6–8 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL45 The Cotswolds
168 Stroud, Tetbury and Malmesbury
179 Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud
205 Stratford-upon-Avon, Evesham and Alcester
Summary
The Cotswolds Villages Trail is a walking route through the Cotswolds which complements the Cotswold Way National Trail while avoiding market towns, instead visiting pristine villages associated with that route. As well as sharing sections with the Cotswold Way National Trail, the Village Trail also links with the Heart of England Way, Warden’s Way, and Windrush Way. The walk tracks in a rough northeast to southwest direction from Mickleton, and on the way to the finish at Westonbirt Arboretum the trail visits Hidcote Bartrim, Hidcote Boyce, Ebrington, Paxford, Broad Campden, Blockley, Bourton-on-the-Hill, Sezincote House, Longborough, Upper Swell, Lower Swell, Lower Slaughter, Upper Slaughter, Naunton, Guiting Power, Hawling, Salperton, Hazleton, Hampnett, Yanworth, Chedworth, Cassey Compton, Rendcomb, North Cerney, Bagendon, Daglingworth, Middle Duntisbourne, Duntisbourne Abbots, Winstone, Miserden, Edgeworth, Pinbury Park, Sapperton, Daneway, Chalford Bottom, Minchinhampton, Avening, Chavenage House, Beverston, and Westonbirt.