Cotswolds England Luxury Walk (Castles, Gardens & The Cotswold Way) 6D5N, Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 7 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 31 m (100 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft)

Meet with your trip leaders on the first day of your trip by 8:30 a.m. In Doubletree by Hilton located on Arden Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Please come dressed in your hiking kits (long pants are recommended) and pack in your luggage a day pack with your rain gear and anything you will find useful in today’s trip. (Your luggage will be transferred to our first night’s accommodation) Get ready to begin your Cotswolds journey with a yummy breakfast delight. This morning you will be served tea and scones.

Fall in love with Britain’s most influential and best-known arts and crafts garden as you sit to a highly appealing breakfast on the Hidcote manor grounds surrounded by its strikingly satisfying garden. Launch into your first activity of the epic Cotswolds adventure with a walk by exploring the maze of narrow paved pathways lined with secret gardens, postcard perfect vistas, and exotic plants that burst with colors. Take a little time out to sit on one of the ornate benches while observing with every ounce of curiosity the activities of the green woodpeckers, and if the timing is right, you may catch a glimpse of a hummingbird moth or two.

The scenic maze pathways lead to a predominantly paved trail with the market town of Chipping Campden up ahead. We will stop here as we treat ourselves to a refreshing lunch at a local pub before setting our final milestone for the day, hiking up Dover’s Hill. Behold the heralding panorama before you as you relish the fascinating scenery of the surrounding countryside and the distant Malvern Hill. When you’re done, descend through the large overwhelming fields as we make our way to Dormy House, an exquisite accommodation perched above the village of Broadway with scintillating views. This will be your accommodation for the next three nights.

Step into Dormy House and immediately notice the sumptuous interiors, cozy corners, glorious grub, and satisfying curios. This dazzling accommodation features audacious spa facilities with a scandi-style thermal suite, sensational dining diversions, and stunning rooms of Cotswold decent topped with varieties to suit your taste.

This evening you will settle in for a warm, welcoming reception in one of the cozy sitting rooms before taking a final stretch to the hotel’s opulent restaurants for an elegant dinner.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 7 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 92 m (300 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 10 km (6 miles), Elevation gain: 153 m (500 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 15 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 366 m (1200 ft)

This morning we will board a brief shuttle to one of the prettiest villages in Cotswold, Snowshill. Your Cotswold excursion continues with a hike up into a woodland amidst the overlooking Snowshill. After that, take a gentle descent through a footpath linking the hamlets of Stanton, Laverton, and Buckley and into a valley before arriving in Broadway.

Linger in the vibrant town of Broadway and enjoy a delicious lunch on your own at the town’s fine restaurants, excellent delis or fish-and-chips shops. When you’re done with lunch, we will ascend upwards to the tower of Broadway, or better still, hop onto the shuttle for a lift to the magnificent folly.

Broadway Tower is an ornamental building constructed in 1799 as a decorative folly. The tower measures a staggering 20 m (65 ft) and has served as an exciting retreat for artists and a lookout point for the Royal Observer Corps. Explore the captivating exhibits while enjoying the 16-county panorama from the second-highest point of the Cotswolds.

As our final rendezvous for the day, we’ll track back to Dormy House, where you will spend the rest of the day as you please. Feel free to tour the accommodations’ expanse at your disposal; treat yourself to a relaxing time in one of the opulent common areas, or relish a Rejuvenating spa time in the hotel’s exquisitely set-up spa facility. In the evening, settle in for dinner in the hotel or explore other options in the neighboring Fish Hotel.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft
Level 3, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 275 m (900 ft)

Brace yourself as today’s fun tour takes an exciting twist. Settle into the van for a quick ride to the haunting ruins of Hailes Abbey. This epic diversion was founded in 1246 by an English prince, Richard of Cornwall. Although the abbey was dissolved in 1538 by Henry VIII, a few of its remains can be found on site.

In a bid to forge ahead, we set out following the Cotswold Way to the iconic 15-century Sudeley Castle (The hidden gem of the Cotswolds), located in the heart of the charming Cotswold countryside. The Sudeley Castle is a true enigma, with marauding garden vistas encircling its expanse. In addition, Sudeley Castle is the only private castle to have a queen buried on its grounds (The tomb of late queen Catherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of late King Henry VIII).

Spend time unsheathing the extensive historical archives of the Royal Castle or explore the castle’s captivating exhibition rooms. And if you would prefer a sense of syncing time with nature, take a stroll through the carefully manicured gardens and lush miniature fields.

Your journey continues along the Cotswold trail passing through Winchcombe to Postlip Hall Farm, a working sheep farm. Take some time to recharge after a draining hike with a picnic featuring local culinary flair put together by the farm. After lunch, we will ascend towards Cleeve Hill as the stunning views of the striking countryside, and the Regency city of Cheltenham awaits.

Later in the evening, we settle in for a delectable dinner delight before going in for a comforting night’s rest

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 7 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 153 m (500 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 15 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 214 m (700 ft)

Get ready to hop onto the next phase of your Cotswolds exploit. Today we will be accompanied by a local Cotswold warden as we seek to explore the most captivating Cotswold villages.

Your exciting expedition begins in Lower Swell, a picturesque hamlet on the backdrop of the River Dikler Valley. Then, follow a path that is Warden’s way, a trail connecting a series of quintessential Cotswold villages through vibrant fields and working farms as we continue along the banks of River Eye as the scenic cottages and mills of lower and upper slaughter lie ahead.

Our destination this afternoon is the charming villages of Naunton, situated amidst the River Windrush in the Cotswolds, an area endowed with an unmatched beauty. We will stop at The Black Horse, a traditional British pub and try out the refreshing ales and classic English fares. Relish the soothing ambiance as you glance through the exciting menu filled with traditional delights that will amuse any palate.

After an energizing lunch affair, we will take a final stretch as we walk to quaint Guiting power, a charming, historic village and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. Not considering its small population (less than 300 residents), this stunning village still boasts of a bakery, two bustling pubs, and a 17-acre wetland nature preserve, quite a feat!

Take some time to explore this enchanting village, or perhaps enjoy a pint of your favorite liquor at the Hollow bottom before hitting the roads on a shuttle to Barnsley House, your accommodation for the next three nights. Unwind at the exquisite hideaway spa, take a refreshing dip in the pool or savour delectable local delights at one of its two elegant restaurants.

The evening is yours to exploit at your leisure. Enjoy a refreshing stroll into town before returning for a hearty dinner at your hotel.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)

After a befitting breakfast at the hotel, we will set out on foot as we go through the iconic church of St. Mary, dating back to the 13th century. Then, continue across a series of traditional English stone stiles to the stunning grounds of Barnsley Park and its striking Georgian-style mansions surrounded by a ha-ha fence (a recessed landscape element created in the form of a vertical barrier while paving easy access to views of the landscape and beyond from both sides).

Tread further passed the lush, bountiful gardens and greenhouses erected in the Barnsley park estate as you are welcome by the overwhelming expanse of the open countryside. Brace yourself as we cross one of the highest stiles in the Cotswolds and whisk through windy farm fields and small hamlets to the outskirts of Bibury, famous for its Chocolate-box cottages and dubbed the most beautiful village in England by a famous 19th-century craftsman, William Morris.

Relish a sense arousing stroll along the postcard perfect, or perhaps the most photographed street of Arlington in England. Enjoy enchanting sights of quaint cottages dating back to the 1380s with wooden roofs sprawling brown hue. Enjoy a memorable lunch in a favorite pub before walking along the charming River Coln as we forge ahead to Coln St. Aldwyns, a charming village with stunning cottages bedazzled with ivy.

After exploring, we will take a brief shuttle back to the hotel, where you have the rest of the day relaxing or explore the luxury amenities as you please. In this case, a skin-tingling massage in the Barnsley House’s hideaway spa would be a perfect diversion after a stressful expedition in the adventurous Cotswold outdoors.

Tonight, we raise a toast as we celebrate our English adventure with a contemporary farewell meal before drawing the curtain for the day.

Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: minimal

The dawn of the day brings affectionate memories of your English Cotswold excursion. So, feel free to sleep in while enjoying a leisurely breakfast delight all at your order. And if you’re energized, hop on to complete a final stretch of your Cotswold experience with a walk through the surrounding Barnsley House fields leading to picturesque farmlands and a historic tree-lined trail tracking back 180 AD. We will complete the morning walk with fond memories as we retrace our steps back to the hotel.

Bid farewell to Barnsley House and unforgettable Cotswold as you board a final shuttle to Bath, where we wave fond goodbyes before ending your journey.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.