Jay and Jan Luxenberg
From: San Francisco California United States
Started: 24th Mar, 2024 — Finished: 2nd Apr, 2024
Very muddy as it rained parts of every day. We loved it anyway. The views are stunning. Sudeley Castle art tour was wonderful. Cotswold Walks helped arrange a series of great hotels along the way.
Trev Bryan
From: Braunton, Devon
Started: 15th Feb, 2024 — Finished: 18th Feb, 2024
Took on this as a mutli-day running challenge over 4 days sleeping in a camper van in pub car parks. Supported by the missus
Day1 was from Chipping to Dowdeswell. With a little extra rounding up to a 50K.
Day2 was Dowdeswell to Kings Stanley 46Km
Day3 was Kings Stanley to Hawkesbury Upton .. 32KM
Day4 Hawkesbury to Bath.
Running time about 22 hrs and 20 mins.
Even as an experienced ultra runner, 4 days back to back in the very soggy conditions of mid February was quite a challenge for this 63 year old, but the route is well way marked and really enjoyable. I would highly recommend this route to everyone. Might go back and do it in the dry!
Jane Hodgson
From: West Berkshire
Started: 7th May, 2022 — Finished: 11th Nov, 2023
Thrilled to have walked The Cotswold Way in 2022, posted later as I was on holiday in the Alps and missed Stage 5 - Fidler’s Elbow to Haresfield Beacon. I am delighted to say that I led some of my fellow walkers last year on some Stages that they missed including Stage 5 that I needed to complete. Finally finished in November 2023!
This was my first ever Trail and I enjoyed every minute of it! Special thanks to The Cotswold Wardens for informative history, places of interest, good company and leadership. You all do an amazing job.
Jonathan Hammond & Ida Nylund
From: Hong Kong
Started: 1st Sep, 2019 — Finished: 17th Oct, 2023
We completed the Cotswold Way across two holidays, walking 84 kms in our first holiday and the remaining 80 kms in October 2023. The trail is wonderful, with beautiful scenery and it's a great way to enjoy the surrounding countryside. It won't be the only time we walk the Cotswold Way and we look forward to future walks. Thank you to everyone who maintains the trail.
Agnes Scrivner
From: Hungary
Started: 29th Apr, 2016 — Finished: 15th Oct, 2023
Barbara & Michael Donnelly
From: Pompano Beach, Florida USA
Started: 17th Sep, 2023 — Finished: 28th Sep, 2023
Great walk. Lots of spectacular views. Wear hiking boots especially if it has been raining.
Janet West
From: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Started: 17th Sep, 2023 — Finished: 28th Sep, 2023
Beautiful views from the escarpments. Proper hiking boots and long pants for the stinging nettles are a must!
Jean and Al LaPrade
From: New Hampshire, USA
Started: 13th Sep, 2023 — Finished: 24th Sep, 2023
My husband and I completed the Cotswolds Walk on September 24, 2023. It was a beautiful and wonderful experience. We felt like we were stepping back in time to mid-evil days. I hope this area never modernizes. There was so much history to observe and learn as we walked along. The scenery was spectacular. We loved walking through pastures, grasslands as well as walking through the small villages. The instruction packet that we received from Cotswolds Walk was great and the trail was well signed. My husband & I chose to not download the GPS on our phones as suggested, we chose to rely on our topo map of the area. That worked very well but was not helpful when we came into villages & tried to find our accommodations that were not right on the trail. We relied on asking local people for help. We found people were so friendly and helpful and it was a pleasure be able to meet and talk with them. They gave us more history of the town.
We loved the variety of accommodations along the Walk. They were all great but we did have some favorites. We spent more than one night at Lygon Arms and started to feel part of their family. The Woodland House gave lots of personal attention and a more homey atmosphere and the Bell Inn was great and offered more than we expected by giving us a ride back to the trail in Old Sodbury where we stopped the day before. And then it was a wonderful ending to the long walk to arrive at the Queensbury Hotel in Bath 2 days later. We were not expecting such luxury and sure enjoyed our 2 night stay.It was a special treat. We also loved the variety of places for meals from pubs to local restaurants and Take-aways. We loved trying the foods of the locals and found them all to be very good.
We had many memorable moments along the way but the ones that stuck out the most were: 1. crossing the summit of Heresfield Beacon while Hurricane Lee crossed over England. The strong wind actually blew me over twice as we walked the edge of the escarpment. My husband & Andy had to help me stay upright. The strong winds and heavy rain lasted 2 days; and the other memorable moment was when we heard that the old and famous Sycamore tree on Hadrien’s Wall was cut down. We had walked Hadrien’s Wall in 2016 and remember that tree very well! Such a sad tragedy!!
Ron & Julie Shaffer
From: Mesquite, NV USA
Started: 10th Sep, 2023 — Finished: 22nd Sep, 2023
Linda Somers and Miles the teddy bear
From: Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK
Started: 11th Sep, 2023 — Finished: 21st Sep, 2023
I was supposed to walk with a friend but, due to illness, ended up walking solo with just my Teddy for company poking out of my rucksack (when it wasn’t raining or hailing!).
I really loved the chocolate box, picturesque villages of the northern section. I found poles incredibly useful - along with waterproof socks and a poncho. Had one very scary experience with a field of bullocks just before Kings Stanley, but adored the belted Galloways and the plethora of sheep. My favourite day has to be Leckhampton Hill/Crickly Hill if only for the views.
I don’t think anything can prepare you for the constant hills - if you’re not going up or coming down you’re walking sideways along one!
I found very few people along the way but those I did, whether they were locals, golfers or long distance walkers were always so friendly. I think a few people followed me because of my bear so it was nice to be greeted by name!
Zosia Young
From: South Gloucestershire
Started: 16th Sep, 2023 — Finished: 17th Sep, 2023
I completed the Cotswold Way as part of Cotswold Way Century Ultramarathon. I have previously ran sections of the CW but this was the first time I ran the whole 102 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath in one go, 27 hours 13 mins. Such a beautiful route with some tough climbs but definitely worth it for the views.
Sander en Nienke
From: Netherlands
Started: 6th Sep, 2023 — Finished: 16th Sep, 2023
Worth the trip .
Beautiful scenery.
Met realy nice people .
Ben and Rachel Miller
From: Orlando, Florida
Started: 3rd Sep, 2023 — Finished: 11th Sep, 2023
What a BLAST and an epic way to say "hello" to our 30s! We shared our entire experience on our YouTube channel - Off Day Adventures!
Henry Huijbregts and Patricia Mulders
From: Netherlands
Started: 21st Aug, 2023 — Finished: 29th Aug, 2023
Gareth Hiscock
From: Weston-super-Mare
Started: 30th Aug, 2022 — Finished: 29th Aug, 2023
Split over 6 solo legs, using Public transport (mainly trains).
105.65 miles in total. Good weather throughout, a bit too hot at times. Bagged 10 trig points over the journey, some with small diversions. So much to see along the way.