An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds is home to some of the country’s most picturesque landscapes, offering breathtaking views and beautiful rambles, making it a haven for walkers.
With traditional pubs and cosy inns galore, there are plenty of places for pre-, post-, or mid-walk breaks where you can enjoy a refreshing pint of local ale and a tasty meal.
Dover's Hill and Cotswold Way walks from The Seagrave Arms
Nestled in the village of Weston-Sub-Edge, near Chipping Campden, The Seagrave Arms is perfectly placed for some spectacular Cotswold walks.
Trek to the top of Dover's Hill – a natural amphitheatre and home to the Cotswold Olimpick Games – for breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside; or pick up the legendary Cotswold Way and head towards Broadway and its iconic tower, before circling back to The Seagrave Arms for a pint or two and something from its sophisticated seasonal food menu.
To book a table at The Seagrave Arms, visit theseagravearms.co.uk.
Belas Knap to Winchcombe walking route
Walkers can take in another stretch of the Cotswold Way on a ramble from the Neolithic long barrow monument of Belas Knap to the pretty Cotswold town of Winchcombe, where there are plenty of pubs to relax in after a long walk – with The Lion Inn, The Plaisterers Arms and The White Hart being some of SoGlos's favourites.
Belas Knap is situated on Cleeve Hill, which is the highest point in the Cotswolds and boasts unrivalled views over the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route into Winchcombe also passes Sudeley Castle, which is well worth a visit for its rose-covered ruins, manicured gardens and fascinating history.
Cowley Wood circular walking route
This circular walk is around 4.3 miles long and takes in the quaint village of Cowley with its Cotswold stone cottages, as well as Cowley Wood, with gorgeous valley views along the way.
The route starts and ends near Cowley Manor Experimental, which has gorgeous Italiante gardens to explore, as well as a high-end cocktail bar and restaurant – or for a more traditional Cotswold pub experience, head to the nearby Green Dragon Inn in Cockleford.
Gloucestershire Way from Salperton to Stow-on-the-Wold
The 100-mile Gloucestershire Way walking route stretches from Chepstow to Tewkesbury, via the Forest of Dean, Gloucester and Stow-on-the-Wold. The stretch between Salperton and Stow is particularly picturesque, winding through quintessential Cotswold villages including Notgrove, Cold Aston and Lower Slaughter.
There are plenty of places to stop for a refreshing drink or two, from The Plough in Cold Aston for a pitstop en-route, to The Old Stocks Inn and England's oldest inn, The Porch House when you arrive in Stow-on-the-Wold.
Bourton-on-the-Water to The Slaughters walking route
At just under 5.5 miles along a mostly flat route, the circular walk between Bourton-on-the-Water and The Slaughters takes in some of the Cotswolds' prettiest sights.
This riverside route follows the River Windrush and the River Eye past historic mills and chocolate-box cottages, with some lovely pubs to stop in along the way, from The Old New Inn, which is also home to Bourton Model Village, to The Slaughters Country Inn with its riverside beer garden. You could even go all out with a Cotswold afternoon tea at Lords of the Manor Hotel in Upper Slaughter, for a real treat!
Laurie Lee trail in Slad
The five-mile Laurie Lee Trail is a must-visit for literature lovers and walking enthusiasts alike. Linking four nature reserves, the trail has nine cedar wood posts featuring poems by Laurie Lee to find along the way, whilst taking in the sights and sounds which inspired the iconic English author's work.
After completing the trail, walkers can pay a visit to Laurie Lee's grave at Holy Trinity Church in Slad before popping over the road to his local watering hole, The Woolpack, to raise a glass and admire more of those stunning views across the valley from its vine-covered terrace.
Ebrington and Foxcote circular walking route
Starting and ending at The Ebrington Arms, walkers can follow a circular route up towards Foxcote and back again.
From the thatched cottages of Ebrington through rolling farmland, past a lake and up toward the Grade II listed Foxcote House, this simple circuit is an ideal route for walking off the pub's famous Sunday roasts!
Northleach to Chedworth Roman Villa walking route
This substantial walking route stretches from Northleach, through woodlands, alongside the River Coln into Yanworth and then off to Chedworth Roman Villa, where history fans will love exploring the remains of what was once a grand residence.
For a refreshing pint and sophisticated British pub lunch, the 17th century coaching inn, The Wheatsheaf Inn in nearby Northleach, is a cosy place to rest those weary legs!
Cotswold Way walk from Stanton to Snowshill
Taking walkers between two of the Cotswolds most picturesque villages, the Stanton to Snowshill stretch of the Cotswold Way passes the Iron Age Shenberrow Hill Camp and close to the eccentric Snowshill Manor.
When you're ready for a sundowner, head back into Stanton and grab a table in The Mount Inn's beer garden to watch the sun set over the Cotswold countryside with a glass of something cool and refreshing.
Bibury to Coln St Aldwyns walking route
William Morris described Bibury as 'the most beautiful village in England', so it's no wonder it attracts visitors from all over the world. The six-mile circular walking route from Bibury follows the River Coln into Coln St Aldwyns, where you can pop into The New Inn for a pint of real ale, before looping back towards Bibury via the iconic Arlington Row.
Once you're back in Bibury, The Swan Hotel is another must-visit, with a sunny, riverside beer garden to relax in on warm days, and a traditional bar complete with roaring log fire and antler chandeliers to cosy up in when the weather is cold.
Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Hill walking route
Taking in some of the north Cotswolds' lesser-known, but no less beautiful, villages, the seven-mile stretch between Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Hill travels through Longborough, where the famous Longborough Festival Opera takes place and past Gloucestershire's answer to the Taj Mahal, Sezincote House. The route from Bourton-on-the-Hill back to Moreton-in-Marsh follows the edge of Batsford Arboretum, so those looking for a packed day out can squeeze in a visit to this spectacular tree garden, too.
The Horse and Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill and The Coach and Horses in Moreton-in-Marsh are both fantastic pubs for a pit-stop, while for literature lovers, The Bell Inn in Moreton-in-Marsh is supposedly the inspiration for The Prancing Pony from J.R.R. Tolken's Lord of the Rings.
Broadway Tower circular walking route
An iconic Cotswold walking route, taking in both the imposing Broadway Tower and the 'jewel of the Cotswolds' the pretty village of Broadway below, this circular walk is only four miles long, but features some steep uphill stretches, so moderate fitness is recommended if you're going to tackle it.
After summitting the hill and taking in the stunning views from the tower, head back down into the village and treat yourself to a drink and a meal at The Lygon Arms, whose menus are curated by celebrity chef James Martin.
Tetbury to Westonbirt Arboretum walking route
Pick up the Monarch's Way in Tetbury and follow it all the way to Westonbirt Arboretum – one of the most important tree collections in the country, and a fantastic outdoorsy day out!
As well as admiring the arboretum's majestic trees, this circular route passes King Charles III's Cotswold residence, Highgrove, on the way back into Tetbury, where a stop off at The Royal Oak is highly recommended for a pint of real ale or local cider and a bite to eat.
