The Perils Of Being Overly Ambitious
Jennifer and I recently walked all 106 miles of the Cotswold Way in six days. We called it “Research and Development” as we look forward to offering it as a group trip.
We loved it. We also decided that six days was too fast, just ask our feet on day 6!
The Cotswold Way runs from Chipping Campden to Bath, passing through fields, pastures, forests, villages, and some of the prettiest countryside in England. We walked through all of it—sometimes at a reasonable pace and sometimes with the quiet determination of people who had somewhere to be.
Next year, when we take a small group, we’ll walk the route over nine days. That will give us more time to enjoy the villages, stop for lunch, take photographs, and appreciate the walk instead of constantly calculating how many miles were left.
One of the things we enjoyed most was England’s public “right of way” system. The trail crosses private land, so we walked through working farms, pastures, and wooded areas that would normally seem off-limits. We followed the marked paths, closed the gates behind us, and tried to give the animals plenty of room.
We were not always as successful at that last part as we would have liked. At one point, we got a little too close to some bulls. They seemed unimpressed by our walking itinerary, which was probably fair.
We also walked through four active golf courses. This was unexpected, to say the least. The Cotswold Way is clearly committed to variety: one minute you’re crossing a pasture, and the next you’re watching for golfers and flying balls.
The villages were some of our favorite parts of the walk. Broadway was a highlight, with its beautiful limestone buildings and welcoming high street. Chipping Campden, at the northern end of the route, was another favorite. Its historic buildings and broad main street make it a wonderful place to begin—or end—a walking journey.
Painswick gave us a chance to slow down and enjoy the rhythm we had established on the trail. By then, villages had become more than places on a map. They were where we stopped for food, rested our feet, and reminded ourselves that walking 106 miles is easier when there is a good meal waiting at the end of the day.
Six days gave us a wonderful introduction to the Cotswold Way, but nine days will make it a much better experience for a group. The longer pace will allow time for comfortable walking, lots of scone tasting, and village visits.
This is an active journey, but you do not need to be an extreme hiker. You do need to be comfortable walking several hours a day on varied terrain. In return, you’ll experience the Cotswolds gradually—one field, footpath, village, and slightly confusing golf course at a time.
We’re planning to take a small group along the Cotswold Way next year, with every detail thoughtfully considered so you can travel with confidence and enjoy the walk itself.
If this sounds like the right kind of adventure, join us. We’ll guide you through each step, so you always know what comes next. Every journey begins with conversation, and we would love to talk with you about walking the Cotswold Way.
