Exploring the Cotswolds
5 Days Starting in Moreton-in-Marsh, England and ending in Winchcombe, England
Visiting: Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Winchcombe
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WMW
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a delightful journey through the picturesque Cotswolds with our "Exploring the Cotswolds" tour. Wander through the quintessential rolling English countryside, visiting charming golden towns like Naunton, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Guiting Power. Enjoy the flexibility of walking with just a daypack from village to village, while your luggage is conveniently transferred for you. Experience the warm hospitality of independently-run B&Bs and guesthouses, and explore the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This self-guided holiday includes GPS, maps, notes, and 24/7 local support, making it an excellent option for first-time walking holiday enthusiasts. Your adventure begins in Moreton-in-Marsh and concludes in Winchcombe, with highlights including the medieval wool town of Bourton-on-the-Water and the historic Sudeley Castle.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Moreton-In-Marsh
Location: Moreton-in-Marsh
Accommodation Name: The Swan Inn
Make your own way to Moreton-in-Marsh. The rest of the day is free to explore the quaint town. The high street has many elegant eighteenth-century inns and houses including the Redesdale Market Hall located in the centre of town.
Accommodation: The Swan Inn is a family-run inn and all rooms are ensuite.
Day 2 : Walk To Bourton-On-The-Water - 17 Km/11 Miles, 5 H
Location: Bourton-on-the-Water
Accommodation Name: The Lansdowne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's walk to the medieval wool town of Bourton-on-the-Water will take you via Stow-on-the-Wold and Lower Slaughter. The river Windrush flows down the main street of Bourton-on-the-Water. Bourton is well known for its footbridges over the river Evenlode and for its scale model of the village.
Accommodation: The Lansdowne is a family run 4* guesthouse where you can expect a warm welcome on arrival (if we are not able to get you booked at The Lansdowne, we will endeavour to get you into an accommodation nearby but please note that there is no similar guesthouse that is of the same standard in this location)
Day 3 : Walk To Guiting Power - 11.6 Km/7 Miles, 4 H. Taxi To Winchcombe
Location: Winchcombe
Accommodation Name: Wesley House
Meals Included: Breakfast
An easy schedule today, which allows ample time to explore Bourton-on-the-Water with its many attractions before setting out on your walk. You then walk via the pretty village of Naunton to Guiting Power, nestled in the hills above a small valley, and is a perfect example of a Cotswold village. Due to limited accommodation in Guiting Power, you will spend 2 nights in Winchcombe. You will meet with a taxi in Guiting Power and be transferred to your accommodation in Winchcombe (included in the cost of your trip).
Accommodation: You will spend 2 nights at Wesley House in Winchcombe, a 15th century merchant's house.
Day 4 : Walk To Winchombe, Various Options
Location: Winchcombe
Accommodation Name: Wesley House
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your taxi (included in the cost of your trip) will drop you back at Guiting Power and from here you will walk to Winchcombe via one of these options:
- Sudeley Castle, . 18.5 km/11.5 miles, 5 h
- Warden’s Way & Sudeley Castle, 10.46 km/6.5 miles / 10.46 km, 2.5 h
Your walk today leads you to the atmospheric ruins of Hailes Abbey, destroyed under Henry VIII, and the still inhabited Sudeley Castle, where Henry VIII's last wife Katherine Parr lived.
Day 5 : Arrangements End After Breakfast
Location: Winchcombe
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip concludes after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 nights in guesthouses, B&B's or hotels -
4 breakfasts
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4 nights B&B accommodation on a twin share basis usually with ensuite facilities
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One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg
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Digital information pack including route notes & maps
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Emergency hotline
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Return taxi Guiting Power - Winchcombe
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GPX Files
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Travel to Morton-in-Marsh and from Winchcombe
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Lunches, dinners and drinks
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Transfers
What's Not Included
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Lunches, dinners and drinks
Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included in the package.
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Transfers
Transfers other than those specified are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal items and expenses are not covered.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.
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A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
An additional supplement is required for solo travelers or single room bookings.
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Guide - this is a self guided holiday
This is a self-guided holiday, so no guide is provided.
Accommodation
4 nights in guesthouses, B&B's or hotels. Described is the normal accommodation that we use on this tour. At the time of booking please be aware that other places might be used instead, if these choices are full or closed for whatever reason. Rooms generally do not have baths. The main reason being that they take up a lot of space, some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main it is showers.
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including raincoat, lunch supplies, waterbottle, warm top, camera etc.
Grading
We grade this walk as ‘Easy - Moderate’ in relation to our other U.K tours, the route is hilly, but not mountainous, the weather is rarely too bad for walking, and there are generally quite a number of villages enroute. Days of up to 20 km are not too long for most reasonably fit people.
Mode of Transport
Travel to Morton-in-Marsh and from Winchcombe. Return taxi from Guiting Power to Winchcombe is included. Luggage transfers are provided from Inn to Inn, with one piece of luggage per person not exceeding 20kg.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in guesthouses, B&Bs, or hotels for 4 nights. The accommodations are typically family-run and rooms generally have ensuite facilities, although baths are uncommon. If the usual accommodations are full or closed, alternative places may be used.
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What should I carry during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements such as a raincoat, lunch supplies, water bottle, warm top, and camera.
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How is the difficulty of the walk graded?
The walk is graded as 'Easy - Moderate' in relation to other UK tours. The route is hilly but not mountainous, and the weather is rarely too bad for walking. There are generally quite a number of villages en route, and days of up to 20 km are manageable for most reasonably fit people.
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What happens if I am traveling solo or want a single room?
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Is there any local support available during the tour?
Yes, there is a 24/7 local support team available, and you will also have access to an emergency hotline.
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Are there any transfers included in the tour?
Yes, one piece of luggage per person will be transferred from Inn to Inn, and a taxi transfer from Guiting Power to Winchcombe is included.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 4 breakfasts. Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.
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Is this a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided holiday. You will receive an information pack including route notes and maps, and GPX files to assist you.
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Self-guided holidays - inclusions
We have designed our self guided walking and cycling tours to include a number of elements to help you enjoy your holiday more, while leaving out some things to give you more freedom to tailor the trip to your needs and interests. Refer to the Trip Notes for more information on the specific inclusions for each trip. What’s included: - Detailed Route Notes - Accommodation - Luggage transfers - Any scheduled transfers as per Trip Notes - Emergency support - Some meals (mostly breakfasts) What’s NOT included: - Transport to/from start/finish points - Most meals - Any entrance/park fees - Travel insurance - Personal expenses along the way - Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
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Trip Grading & Preparation
Match your level of fitness & requirements Please read this information carefully to find out which grade is most suited to your level of fitness and requirements. To make the most of your Walkers' Britain holiday it is essential and your responsibility to choose a trip that is well within your capabilities. All our active holidays are graded and clearly marked in each trip description. All mountains have uphill and downhill sections and by definition walking and cycling demand some effort. However all things are relative, and these grades assume that you are a reasonably active person who enjoys walking or cycling. Few trips are extreme and most allow ample time for sightseeing and enjoying the scenery. If in doubt about the grade of any holiday, please contact us for advice or request the tour dossiers, you can also chat with our team about the right travel insurance for you. Grade 1 – Introductory These trips involve walking for four to five hours per day or cycling for 15-50 km per day at a slow but steady pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. Suggested Preparation 30 minutes of aerobic-type exercise (either road cycling or jogging), three times a week for three months leading up to your trip. Grade 2 – Introductory to Moderate These trips involve a combination of what is described in our Introductory and Moderate levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity but including several moderate stages. Grade 3 – Moderate These adventures involve walking for up to six hours per day or cycling for up to 65 km per day, at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested Preparation 45 minutes of aerobic-type exercise (road cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trip. Grade 4 – Moderate to Challenging This trip grading involves a combination of what is described in our Moderate and Challenging levels. The emphasis is on moderate activity but including several challenging stages. Grade 5 – Challenging These active holidays involve walking up to nine hours per day in mountainous terrain with steep ascents and descents, pass crossing & alpine weather conditions, or cycling for up to 80 km per day over undulating terrain, with some steep and sustained hills. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8 kg and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Suggested Preparation 1 hour of aerobic-type exercise five times a week for three to six months leading up to your trip. We also recommend regular hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling.
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Route notes
While our tours vary in terms of difficulty, route finding is made simple and convenient with our specially prepared package of maps and route notes. On many of the walks it is easy enough to navigate carefully using the route notes provided with a cursory glance at the map. As holidays reach the higher grades, you will need to take more care and we would expect you to have at least some knowledge of using a compass. Maps for our tours also vary considerably, from up-to-date GPS referenced additions, to old map copies which may still be the only ones obtainable for a particular area. The differences in style, grade and destinations of our tours are features that make them of continual interest and delight to our walkers & cyclists. Each set of route notes can contain the following elements relevant to the route: History and information on the region and the route you are walking. Detailed maps including points of interest and accommodation. Detailed step-by-step descriptions (with pictures) of the route and information on detours/optional additions. Transport timetables and information for getting there and away. Safety information and advice. Contact details of accommodation, transport, local representatives and emergency support. Advice for things to do along the way. Suggestions for dining and self catering.
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How our self-guided holidays work
Self guided walking and cycling holidays offer freedom, independence and choice, allowing you to tailor your holidays in the UK & Europe to your interest and travel style. Our detailed Route Notes will contain all of the information you need to plan how you would like to approach each day, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. As you are not limited by the constraints of group travel, you are free to shorten or lengthen your walk as the terrain permits and can even take a day off, although you may need to travel onto your next accommodation by taxi or public transport in order to do so.
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Low Deposit
Walkers' Britain requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of walkers' britain charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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