Cotswold Trail Short Break

This is a short break walking tour that can be taken over a long weekend. With 2 easy to moderately rated walks, overnight stays in picturesque Cotswold villages, and easy access to the start/finish point, this is an ideal tour for those wishing to sample the very best of the Cotswolds in a couple of days.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers

This trip is graded between easy to moderate and moderate depending on which itinerary you choose. The trail follows well maintained footpaths, bridleways, open fields and some minor roads. It does involve some relatively steep ascent and descent from the escarpment and days of up to 12 miles walking. The longer days can be shortened by taking local buses or taxis.

We use handpicked, high quality B&B’s, guesthouses and country inns of typical Cotswold character. Honey coloured cottages, roaring log fires, comfortable country bedrooms and the warmest of welcomes are what we look for to make your stay extra special. We have included a few examples below to give you a better idea of what to expect.

Accommodation Location

We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the tour itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability we may have to accommodate you into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Solo Walkers

This walking tour is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs there is a solo walker supplement payable.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.

Air Conditioning in Cotswold Accommodations

Please note that many accommodations in the Cotswolds do not have air conditioning, which is quite common in this historic region. During the warmest months of the year (typically from June to mid-September), rooms can become hot. If air conditioning is essential to your comfort, we recommend travelling during the shoulder seasons of April, May, or October, when temperatures are generally milder.

Most of the route is marked by a variety of waymarks. Navigation is straightforward with the Macs Adventure App which has maps, GPX tracks, and daily route info. Simply download the tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you’ll find your way.

Recommended Reading

Although not essential, if you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:

• Map: The Cotswolds. Ordnance Survey Explorer OL45 (1:25,000)

This tour can be best enjoyed from April to September. Springtime is particularly beautiful as all the spring flowers will be in bloom. 

We also offer this tour in the quieter shoulder months of March and mid-to-late October. During these times, the local towns and villages will be more peaceful, and the trails less crowded. However, the weather and trail conditions may be more challenging. Be prepared for colder temperatures, wind, rain, and muddy paths! In the height of the summer, July and August, it's worth mentioning that very few accommodations in the Cotswolds have air conditioning.

Due to a two-night minimum at weekends in Moreton-in-Marsh, the tour start date is subject to availability.

Rail: Regular services connect London Paddington and Moreton-in-Marsh (1h35). You can find train schedules on the National Rail or Trainline websites.

Road: On street parking is available in Moreton-in-Marsh, there is no secure parking. Driving directions from the M40 Southbound: Leave the M40 at junction 15 (signposted to Warwick, Stratford, Coventry A46) and join the A429 southbound towards Cirencester. Continue on A429 for approx. 22 miles into Moreton-in-Marsh.

As part of your trip an included transfer from your accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water to Moreton-in-Marsh Train Station on Day 4.

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. 

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase.  Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

If you are travelling from far afield and do have more than one bag it is possible to arrange for the extra luggage to be stored whilst you are on the tour for a fee of £25 per bag. These additional bags would be picked up from your accommodation at the start point of your tour and dropped off wherever you finish depending on the itinerary you are doing. Please contact us if you are interested in this option