In the words of Country Living magazine, “Heading out on a crisp Cotswold walk is like soaking up quintessential England; you’ll stroll past cobbled high streets with honey-hued, age-old coaching inns and make your way across vast swathes of undulating verdant landscape, high hills and sunken valleys.”. We couldn’t agree more; Blenheim Cottage is ideally located to access some of the best walking the Cotswolds has to offer, with the Cotswold Way National Trial, the Monarchs Way and the Heart of England Way on your doorstep. Walking in the Cotswolds will leave you feeling invigorated yet cultured, taking in picturesque honey-stone villages and rolling countryside, punctuated by warm and inviting pubs along the way. Here are some of our favourites:
Hidcote & Foxcote from Mickleton Walk
Walking distance 7½ miles or 12.2 km.
Starting right outside Blenheim Cottage, this is an upland walk on undulating paths with magnificent views. It offers the opportunity to visit two of Britain’s finest gardens at Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court. The walk also touches on parts of the Heart of England Way. This is a country hike and unless visiting Hidcote or Kiftsgate, refreshments are only available at Mickleton but not en-route.
See the map and route here.
Chipping Campden Cotswold Way Circular Walk
Walking distance 4½ miles or 7.2km, with a shorter 3 mile or 4.8km option.
Starting in the chocolate-box Cotswolds village of Chipping Campden, boldly claiming to be both the start and the end of the Cotswold Way National Trail, this walk takes in breathtaking views on Dover’s Hill, home to the famous ‘Olimpick Games’ since 1612.
See the map and route at nationaltrail.co.uk.
Broadway and the Tower
Walking distance 4 miles or 6½ km.
This walk to the Broadway Tower will take you along the characterful high street with charming cobbled streets, boutiques and honey-coloured cottages. Steeped in history, it also has an artistic heritage, attracting and inspiring the likes of William Morris and JM Barrie. Broadway Tower is a charming folly that is set in a 50-acre parkland, and home to a Morris & Brown cafe. A climb to the top of the tower offers views covering up to 16 counties, and is the highest point in the Cotswolds. Inside, the exhibition helps visitors to understand the link between the tower and the Arts & Crafts movement.
See the map and route at cotswoldsaonb.org.uk.
Stanton, Snowshill and the Edge
Walking distance 6 miles or 9.7 km, with a shorter 2½ mile or 4km option.
Taking in two pretty villages, this pub-lined, picturesque Cotswolds walk offers woodlands and valley views, with slightly more challenging walking than some others on this list. Snowshill Manor, owned by the National Trust, is a stunning building with impeccable gardens, and showcases the eclectic collections of Sir Charles Wade.
See the walk route and map at nationaltrail.co.uk.
Winchcombe and Belas Knap
Walking distance 6 miles or 9.7 km, with a shorter 2½ mile or 4km option.
This scenic and interesting walk takes you from the delightfully unspoilt town of Winchcombe, along Cotswold Way routes old and new, and up to one of the area’s most intriguing ancient monuments.
See the map and route at nationaltrail.co.uk.
