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Hiker on a grassy path along a stone wall into a picturesque village of traditional stone houses

Cotswolds & Shakespeare

The heart of Old England

8 Days / 7 Nights
Walking
Hiker on a grassy path along a stone wall into a picturesque village of traditional stone houses

The romantic hills of the Cotswolds in the heart of England, in the historic counties of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, stretch up to an altitude of 300 metres. In the middle ages this region became rich through the trade of wool. Today the romantic landscape is famous for the traditional villages. Magnificent views from the hills, one of the most beautiful churches in England, stately homes, Neolithic stone tombs, monastic ruins, Gothic half-timbered houses in narrow lanes, magnificent cottage gardens – all this is best explored by foot. It's not just the eye that's spoilt – along the way you'll pass numerous traditional pubs serving excellent specialities and beers.

Your eight-day hiking tour in Great Britain starts in the place William Shakespeare was Christened and died – Stratford-upon-Avon. Here you begin your first day of hiking in the footsteps of famous writers and explore the history-rich old town, as well as the surrounding region. On the following days stage, a visit to Moreton-in-Marsh in Chipping Campden, one of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds awaits. The next stages lead you first to Bourton-on-the-Water and over the Wolds to Winchcombe. The sixth day of your walking tour is just as picturesque. The stage takes you to former film sets in Stanway and Stanton and finally to the day’s stage destination, the "Jewel of the Cotswolds" in Broadway. On the last day of your tour, you will once again enjoy the picturesque landscapes, explore the Cotswold Way, Snowshill and end your active time-out in one of the typical pubs or restaurants.

  • In the footsteps of William Shakespeare: Right at the beginning of your walking tour, you will have the opportunity to experience the place of Christening and death, as well as the cottage, of the famous writer William Shakespeare up close in Stratford-upon-Avon.
  • A slice of India in Sezincote: On the fourth day of your tour, the route takes you past the impressive Mughal Palace, also known as Sezincote House. This historic building was designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell, built in 1805 and serves as an example of architectural reinterpretation from the Indian Mughal Empire. Picturesquely nestled in the surrounding Cotswolds hills, the palace with temples, grottoes, waterfalls and towers is set in 3,500 acres of grounds with a wonderful garden.
  • Hiking & leisure in Broadway: At the end of your walking tour, you will reach the pretty village of Broadway – which is not only a perfect starting point for further walking tours, but also offers wonderful opportunities for an enjoyable break. Whether in one of the tea rooms, galleries, a pub or in the small antique shops – here you can relax and unwind.

Our walking tour in Great Britain is assigned to our level of hiking 'Walking'. The route takes you on wonderful hiking paths through the picturesque countryside, tranquil nature and into typical villages. We recommend a good basic level of fitness for this tour, in order to be able to cope well with the gentler climbs in the hilly areas of the Cotswolds and the daily stages of between two and seven hours.

Itinerary at a glance

The wealth of the Cotswolds region originated from the wool trade, as evidenced by the "Wool Church." India served as inspiration for the Sezincote Palace, and the charming village of Stanton is a popular film location.
Day
01
Arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon

Follow the traces of William Shakespeare in the historic old town. A longer walking tour explores the surroundings of Stratford.

Transfer to Hidcote, where you can visit the stunning gardens. Walk to Chipping Campden, one of the pretty towns of the Cotswolds (transfer also possible to Chipping Campden). The main street is seamed by the typical stone cottages with sumptuous gardens. Visit the „Wool-Church“, wealthy wool merchants of the Cotswolds used to donate churches. Continue your walk to Moreton-in-Marsh where you will stay overnight.

Put on your walking boots and follow the paths across meadows and fields through Sezincote, with the unique Mughal house, past Stow-in-the-Wold, the highest village of the Cotswolds and through pretty Lower Slaughter to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Today you follow the pretty stream Windrush to Naunten. Here you cross the Wolds to Winchcombe, once capital of the Saxons.

Breath-taking walk through the country to Stanway and Stanton, the best maintained of the Cotswolds villages (many historic films are filmed here). Then you reach the historic coach-village Broadway, where you will stay overnight.

Broadway, often referred to as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds", is an ideal starting point for unique walks. Along the "Broad Way" you will find delightful shops and fine restaurants as well as magnificent houses. Walk along the Cotswold Way and enjoy the magnificent views.

Continue to the well-preserved village of Stanton, which seems to have stood still in time. Your walk takes you to Snowshill, a cosy little village with many pubs, before walking back through the valley to Broadway.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Other variations of this tour

Difficulty level

Walking

The Cotswolds are gently rolling hills (up to 300 m elevation), so you have to consider the occasional gentle climb. You walk on footpaths across farmland, villages and sometimes even through gardens.

Prices & Dates

You can book extra nights for any day of your tour. Prices upon request!

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in beautiful typical guesthouses and B&B’s
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 Transfer Stratford – Hidcote
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer to Moreton, price per ride approx. EUR 40 or to Stratford-upon-Avon price per ride approx. EUR 75. Payable on-site, reservation required.

Arrival / Departure

  • London airport and by train (direct train from London Euston) in about 2.5 hours to Stratford-upon-Avon (www.thetrainline.com).
  • Return from Moreton as well as from Stratford with very good train connection to London. During the week public transport is available (not on Sundays).

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in beautiful typical guesthouses and B&B’s
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 Transfer Stratford – Hidcote
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • Transfer to Moreton, price per way approx. EUR 40, to Stratford-upon-Avon price per way approx. EUR 75. Payable on-site, reservation required.

Arrival / Departure

  • Airport London and by train (direct train from London Euston) in about 2.5 hours to Stratford-upon-Avon (www.thetrainline.com).
  • Return from Moreton as well as from Stratford with very good train connection to London. During the week public transport is available (not on Sundays).

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Valerie Haring

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Valerie Haring
Travel Specialist
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