Cotswolds Walks & Villages

Lace up your boots and slow down the pace.
THIS is the Cotswolds we locals love…. Our relaxed walking tour blends gentle countryside strolls with time in some of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful towns and villages. 

  • Departures from Stratford-upon-Avon (08:50) and Moreton-in-Marsh (09:30)
  • Price: £80 adults, £70 children (sorry, no under 3s)
  • Discover gorgeous rural villages and tranquil footpaths, away from the hustle and bustle of the ‘touristy’ Cotswolds
  • Drink in the peace and quiet of the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, with ancient woodlands, secluded valleys, wild flower meadows, and gently rolling hills – heaven!
  • Travel in a small group, with a friendly and experienced walking guide
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tour itinerary

After picking you up from either Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-in-Marsh (see below), you’ll visit the following locations:

  • Walk to Broadway Tower (approx 1 mile/1.6km, one way). Let's start as we mean to go on! Our first walk takes us through ancient woodland and wildflower meadows, and passes a Cold War Nuclear Bunker! We'll pause at Broadway Tower, an 18th century folly, where stunning views await at the second highest point of the Cotswold Hills.
  • Walk to Broadway (optional, approx 1.3 miles/2km). Here you have a choice: walk back the way you came (1 mile/1.6km) and your guide will drive you to Broadway village, or stay a while to explore Broadway Tower Country Park and your guide will come back to collect you. However, the best experience is to follow a short section of The Cotswold Way National Trail to arrive in Broadway village on foot. This walk is unaccompanied, and it's quite steep in places (downhill), but well way-marked and a wonderful way to enter the village!
  • Broadway (approx 1 hour) Whether you arrive on foot or by minibus, you'll have free time in the gorgeous village of Broadway. Top up your energy with a bit to eat at one of many lovely cafés and tea-rooms, and stroll the wide chestnut tree-lined high street (or 'broad way') to admire the golden Cotswold stone architecture which inspired numerous artists and designers.
  • Asthall-Swinbrook-Widford walk (optional; approx 3 miles/5km - shorter options available). We can stop in Burford for a quick comfort break if needed, then on to our final walk, and the pièce de résistance! This trio of tiny, quiet Cotswold villages are connected by a beautiful mixed terrain walk, featuring quiet country lanes, open fields, wildflower meadows, ancient churches and some surprising history! It's a figure-of-eight loop, so if you're feeling tired you can rest and refresh at the cracking pub in the middle of the 'eight' if the rest of the group wishes to complete the loop.
  • Burford. Finally, we'll round off the day with a stop in Burford, a gorgeous Cotswold market town with an impressive 'wool church'. If you still have some energy, hike up 'The Hill' for fantastic views and traditional Cotswold stone cottages. Or, just relax with a well-deserved tea, coffee, or something stronger if you fancy it!

In between stops, you’ll travel the scenic back roads in our comfy minibus, while our friendly local guides tell you all about this beautiful area we call home. 

Pick-up & drop-off times & locations

stratford-upon-avon

  • Departure time: 08.50
  • Return time: 17.30
  • Location: Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal, Windsor Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/kyq8upDKhZnbdwpF8
  • What3Words: ///evenly.blur.ending

moreton-in-marsh

  • Departure time: 09.30
  • Return time: 17.00
  • Location: Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station (wait in the car park outside the ticket office)
  • Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/RkMYSdNizneTnzRGA
  • What3Words: ///retain.incurring.processes

On request: 

  • We can pick you up in Stratford-upon-Avon and drop you off at Moreton-in-Marsh station (or vice versa). No problem! Please let us know in advance.
  • We can also drop you off in Burford or Stow-on-the-Wold at the end of this tour – but please let us know in advance in case our guides alter the order of the stops on this tour. 

What’s included?

  • Transport in a comfy, spacious, air-conditioned 16-passenger seat Mercedes minibus with USB chargers and panoramic windows so everyone gets a great view!
  • Two guided walks, and one optional unaccompanied walk in the glorious Cotswold countryside
  • Plenty of free time in Broadway and Burford - you're free to do as much or as little as you like at each stop
  • Souvenir maps highlighting our recommended things to see and do in Broadway and Burford, so you can make the most of your free time.
  • Expert insights from one of our fun, friendly driver-guides. All of our guides are locals, so we’ll bring the story of the Cotswolds to life.

What’s not included?

  • Lunch and refreshments – bring your own picnic, or purchase food and drinks at the stops on the tour.
  • Village walking tours - practically and logistically,our guides can't accompany you in Broadway or Burford, but we find our guests really value this flexibility!
  • Entry fees to any attractions you may wish to visit (e.g. to enter Broadway Tower, or visit Broadway Museum)
  • Tips - always welcome, but never expected

What to wear and what to bring?

  • Please dress in comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the weather conditions - this tour runs rain or shine!
  • Bring a raincoat or umbrella if it’s raining, and a hat, water and sunscreen if it’s hot.
  • Wear flat, comfy, closed-toe shoes like trainers/sneakers or trail shoes. Trails can sometimes get wet or muddy, so leave the stilettos or flip-flops at home. Nobody wants a heel stuck in a cattle grid, or sheep poo in between their toes!
  • You won’t need hiking boots or poles.

tips for travel by public transport

  • From London (Paddington station), Reading, Oxford, Charlbury and Kingham, take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh. The train arriving at approx. 09.20 is perfect! We’ll pick you up from right outside Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
  • From Honeybourne, Evesham or Worcester, take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh. We’ll pick you up from right outside Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
  • From Birmingham, take a direct train to Stratford-upon-Avon – our pick up point is just a 5-10 minute walk from Stratford-upon-Avon train station. (See this Google Map for walking directions.) Not on Sundays. 

We always recommend you buy a flexible ‘anytime’ ticket that allows you to take any train. The times stated above are usually the latest we expect to get to the drop-off points – we are often a few minutes earlier, but we can never 100% guarantee this. If you have a flexible ticket, then you can take an earlier train and won’t have to wait around.

However, if you wish to book a particular train to take advantage of cheaper ‘advance single’ tickets, then we recommend you plan to depart after the drop-off times stated above.

We recommend The Trainline* for online train ticket bookings. Book train tickets 6-8 weeks ahead of the travel date for the best prices.

more travel tips

  • Please see our webpage here for more information on accommodation and getting to our pick up points.  

package offers

Our Cotswold Walks & Villages tour is only available on select summer dates, but if if you have more time, combine it with our other tours to create a 1-4 day itinerary. 

  • Get 10% off when you book more than one tour at the same time
  • Top tip: it doesn’t matter which way around you take our tours!
  • Need accommodation? Accommodation is not included in our packages. Try our recommendations in Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-Marsh.

cancellation policy, terms & Conditions

  • Our Cotswolds Walks & Villages tour may be amended, or cancelled for a full refund, up to 24 hours before departure.
  • No refunds, credit or transfers are given for no-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time.
  • We’re sorry, children under 3 are not permitted on this tour, and we don’t recommend it for young children under 8.
  • With the exception of registered assistance animals (who are highly trained to assist a person with activities of daily living), we do not allow pets on our tours. 
  • Click here for our Terms and Conditions – you will need to agree to these if you make a booking

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