Two Centre: Cotswolds and Cornwall Walking

Arrive in The Cotswolds or Cornwall (as preferred). Our recommendation is to start in Cheltenham. Stay overnight. 

A: Circular route from Cheltenham via Leckhampton and Seven Springs (Full route: 12 miles / 19km | Short Route: 8 miles / 13km) 

Hike out of Cheltenham to the top of Leckhampton Hill, where you will be rewarded by some superb views of the Severn Vale and Cheltenham as well as some interesting historical sites. Continue on through the village of Coberley where you will then find the church of St. Giles. Its unexpected setting and grand monuments tells a long history of the village that now stands. The walk will also take you to Seven Springs, the disputed source of the River Thames. 

Stay overnight in Cheltenham. No luggage transfer required.  

B: Circular route from Cheltenham via Winchcombe (Full route: 10 miles / 16km | Short Route: 6 miles / 10km) 

This walk starts with a short bus journey to the small ancient town of Winchcombe. Home to Sudeley Castle, it is a walk of stark contrasts, cross the open grassland of Cleeve Common to reach the highest point of the Cotswolds before descending into Prestbury. Prestbury is supposedly the most haunted village in England. After this you will head back to the elegant town of Cheltenham Spa 

Stay overnight in Cheltenham. No luggage transfer required. 

C: Circular route from Cheltenham via Cranham (Full route: 9.5 miles / 15km | No Short Route) 

A bus journey takes you to the start of this walk. The first half follows tracks and paths through the extensive beech woods around Cranham and the second half takes you along the Cotswold escarpment with its stunning views over to Crickley Hill. The bus is payable locally and costs from £3 up to £5 per person. 

Stay overnight in Cheltenham. No luggage transfer required. 

D: Linear route from Cheltenham to Bourton-on-the-Water (Full route: 11 miles / 17 km | Short Route: 6.5 miles / 10 km) 

Clients will be collected for a short transfer to Chedworth Roman Villa or Northleach (client preference) before walking to Bourton-on-the-Water. The beautiful pastures and woods along the banks of the little River Coln are the setting for the best exposed Roman villa in the country. The handsome little market town of Northleach provides an excellent introduction to this countryside. Its large 15th century wool church, built by the wealthy merchants, is typical of the Cotswold style while the Heritage Centre gives a fascinating insight into traditional farming life. The walk follows the Monarch's Way through unspoilt hamlets and over rolling country to Bourton in the valley of the River Windrush. This is the most famous village in the area with a wide range of attractions including museums, a perfumery and a delightful maze. 

Stay overnight in Bourton-on-the-Water. Luggage will be transferred.  

E: Circular route from Bourton-on-the-Water (Full route: 11 miles / 17 km | Short Route: 8 miles / 12 km) 

A walk over rolling hills through mixed farmland takes you up to Cold Ashton. Here you can rest in a traditional English pub before strolling on to Naunton where pretty stone cottages nestle in a valley surrounded by sheep, pleasant countryside and horse racing gallops. Follow the River Windrush down through lush meadows and woods past a lost medieval village back to Bourton. 

Stay overnight in Bourton-on-the-Water. No luggage transfer required.  

F: Linear route from Bourton-on-the-Water to Stow-on-the-Wold (Full route: 8 miles / 12 km | Short Route: 6.5 miles / 10 km) 

Two beautiful riverside villages will feature on today’s walk. Lower and Upper Slaughter, on the banks of the little River Eye, are among the most popular in the Cotswolds. The charming cottages, manor houses and water mill which are being restored to full working order, are favourite subjects for local artists who regularly exhibit their work in the village hall. Lower and Upper Swell on the River Dickler are equally pleasant with cosy country inns and unique features like the Georgian therapeutic well. The town of Stow on the Wold has a number of handsome stone buildings that stand around the ancient market square that once hosted some of the greatest sheep fairs in the country. 

Stay overnight in Stow-on-the-Wold. Luggage will be transferred.  

G: Circular route from Stow-on-the-Wold (Full route: 10.5 miles / 16 km | Short Route: 7.5 miles / 12 km) 

Stroll out through secluded villages to join the Oxfordshire Way through the wide valley of the River Evenlode. The walk here combines wide views across to the Wychwood with visits to Icomb, Bledington and Oddington, often missed from the tourist trails. Enjoy the peace of the countryside as you stroll past delightful cottage gardens, medieval church wall paintings, village greens and charming manor houses on the way back to Stow on the Wold. 

Stay overnight in Stow-on-the-Wold. No luggage transfer required 

H: Linear route from Stow-on-the-Wold to Moreton-in-Marsh (Full route: 8 miles / 12 km | Short Route: 6.5 miles / 10 km) 

Continue up the Evenlode Valley past the typically English manor at Donnington and the surprising Oriental house at Sezincote. Here the 18th century manor is built in the Indian style with water gardens. Moreton in Marsh stands either side of a broad main street lined with fine houses, shops and inns. 

Stay overnight in Moreton-in-Marsh. Luggage will be transferred.  

I: Circular route from Moreton-in-Marsh (Full route: 6.75 miles / 10 km | No Short Route) 

The village of Blockley is one of the jewels of the Cotswolds that is often overlooked. The little stream that runs through it once supported a dozen mills that were used for all manner of industry from flour milling to silk weaving. The delightful old buildings, ponds and streams now offer wonderful opportunities for creative gardeners. At Batsford there is gardening on a much larger scale with an Arboretum inspired by the mountain sides of Asia Minor and a Falconry Centre running regular demonstrations. The cottages, church and 14th century tithe barn at Bourton on the Hill make a wonderful and very English scene. 

Stay overnight in Moreton-in-Marsh. No luggage transfer required. 

Travel to Helston by car or train (Transport not included) 

Arrive Helston 

J: Circuit from Helston via Loe Pool (Full route: 8.5 miles / 13.7km | Short Route: 6.75 miles / 11 km) 

Enjoy a gentle start to the day with an easy circular walk around the Loe Pool, Cornwall’s largest natural area of fresh water. This route then continues into the woodland of the Penrose Estate and on to the little fishing harbour of Porthleven before returning to Helston. 

Overnight in Helston. No luggage transfer required. 

K: Linear route from Helston to St Keverne, via Manaccan (Full route: 9.5 miles / 15.3km | Short Route: 5.5 miles / 9 km) 

Today begins with a short taxi transfer (included in the price) across The Lizard to Manaccan. From here you can explore the mysterious calm waters and wooded banks of Frenchmans Creek which inspired many novels from Daphne du Maurier. You will then follow the coast path south along beautiful rugged cliffs and sandy coves through the little harbour at Porthallow to the village of St. Keverne. 

Overnight in St Keverne. Luggage will be transferred.  

L: Circuit from St Keverne via Coverack (Full route: 8.75 miles / 14 km | Short Route: 6.25 miles / 10 km) 

This circular walk takes you south across the rich pastures to the coast of Coverack where pretty cottages cluster around the harbour. You then return along a section of the coast path that varies from rocky cliffs to flat and pebble covered. You will also pass the notorious offshore rocks on Lowland Point that has wrecked an estimated 150 ships. 

Overnight in St Keverne. No luggage transfer required. 

M: Linear route from St Keverne to Mullion, via Arrowan (Full route: 8 miles / 13 km | No Short Route) 

Today begins with a short taxi transfer (included in the price) to Arrowan. You then follow the South West Coast Path passing Kennack Sands, The National Trust “Old Serpentine Works”, Cadgewith and Church Coves before arriving at Housel Beach near Lizard Point.  It then a short bus ride from Lizard to Mullion, the largest village on the Peninsula with shops, inns, restaurants and an art gallery to enjoy. 

Overnight in Mullion. Luggage will be transferred. 

N: Circuit from Mullion via Kynance Cove (Full route: 8.5 miles / 13.7 km | Short Route: 6 miles / 9.7 km) 

Take the bus down to Lizard Village, the most southerly point of the British mainland. It has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times and the coast around it still attracts modern travellers. From the famous lighthouse, follow one of the most dramatic and beautiful sections of the coast path back to Mullion, past the sheltered beaches and remarkable rock formations of Kynance Cove. 

Overnight in Mullion. No luggage transfer required. 

O: Circuit from Mullion via Gunwalloe Cove (Full route: 8.5 miles / 13.7 km | Short Route: 6.5 miles / 10.5 km) 

Enjoy a walk over gentle hills, along farmland paths and a boardwalk across rare marshland, takes you to the coast at Gunwalloe fishing village. From Halzephron Cliff you have fine views back to Loe Bar and Porthleven. To complete the circuit of your tour, you follow the coast path past the sheltered beaches at Church Cove and Poldhu Cove back to Mullion. 

Overnight in Mullion. No luggage transfer required. 

Optional Extension to Isles of Scilly from Penzance (2 nights / 3 days) 

Day 1: Clients will be collected with their luggage from Mullion by taxi and transferred to the ferry port in Penzance to take the morning ferry. Board the ferry with the luggage and travel to the Isles of Scilly. Disembark on St Mary’s Island and then explore at your leisure. The bags will then be tagged and offloaded in Isles of Scilly, with a direct transfer to the hotel. Please note, the ferry boards at circa. 8am each day, so this will mean an early start for the clients, or alternatively they can spend an extra night in Penzance.  

Day 2: Free exploration of the Island. 

Day 3: Explore the island at your leisure before returning to the port for the Ferry (usually afternoon). The luggage will be transported from the hotel to the ferry port and loaded onto the ferry. Clients will disembark the ferry, collect their luggage and will stay overnight in Penzance before departing.  

Optional Extension to Land’s End (2 nights, 3 days) 

Day 1: Clients will be transferred by taxi from Mullion to Porthlevon where they can walk to Penzance via St Michael’s Mount. This route takes clients along the South West Coast Path with its rugged coastal terrain and beautiful sea views. Today can be anywhere between 6- and 15-miles walking, depending on client preference for the taxi transfer.  

Overnight in Penzance. Luggage will be transferred.  

Day 2: Travel via bus to Lands End and then enjoy a delightful walk back to Penzance. The route can be shortened at any point by taking a bust journey back to the hotel. You will then stay overnight in Penzance. Please note, the bus is payable locally and will cost from £4 up to £8 per person. 

Overnight in Penzance. No luggage transfer required. 

The key details of this tour include:

• This tour can start in Cheltenham or Helston
• This tour can end in Moreton-in-Marsh or Mullion
• This tour as a variety of durations from 7 nights to 22 nights + 1 day’s travel.
• The routing is subject to accommodation availability and client preference on start location, but will be as follows using the Route letters in the itinerary.
• The following routes are mandatory for all tours 8 day, 7 night including: D F H K and M with one day’s travel included in between. 
• The following routes are optional and can be added to make the tour as long as required up to 22 nights including: A B C E G I J L N O plus Isles of Scilly and Lands End.  
• Please note, all options will require a day in between Cotswolds & Cornwall to travel (as noted above). 

There are lots of attractions and places to explore during your Cotswolds walking holiday, including:

• Batsford Park Arboretum
• Bourton Model Village & Bourton House Garden
• Chedworth Roman Villa
• Cotswold Heritage Collection
• Cotswold Pottery
• Mechanical Music Museum & Motor & Toy Museum
• Helston
• Lizard Village & Lighthouse
• Mullion
• Penrose Estate
• Porthallow Vineyard

Getting to the Cotswolds

By Rail: Great Western Railway operate regular connections to London with approximately hourly Cheltenham Spa to Swindon services which extend to through to Didcot Parkway, Reading & London Paddington. 

By Car: Cheltenham can be easily accessed via major UK roads and motorways. Cheltenham's direct approach is via Junction 11 of the M5, follow signs for the town centre. 

By Air – There are a number of airports close to the Cotswolds including Bristol and Birmingham and Heathrow.

For more information on getting to the Cotswolds please visit The Cotswolds website.