Amy Heath, Paul Brunton & Harry Eccles
From: Sandbach & Isle if Wight
Started: 9th Aug, 2021 — Finished: 13th Aug, 2021
A five Day Hike up and down those Hills, and overcoming our fear of cows. Lovely stops at Bath, Chipping Sodbury, Broadway, and even a little detour to The Cotswold Farm Park. Favourite spot? a wild camp on the Ridge (Cam Long Down) overlooking Dursley. you can check our experience of the CWW and other national trails out here: https://youtube.com/channel/UCPe5MsmhoF2PU7uIZpXNiXQ If your out hiking the CWW ensure you donate to the volunteers who keep it walkable.
Reina, Stuart and Mark Squires
From: Cheltenham
Started: 24th Oct, 2020 — Finished: 11th Aug, 2021
We started this walk as a family challenge during half term in October, we have been walking during lockdown and we decided to start this long walk after everything going on during the pandemic. We did this for all those people that are not with us, every time we started the walk in different sections we gave a little prayer for those people watching us from heaven. Was very emotional the last 30 miles, now we have finally finished and enjoyed every single mile we walk in any weather even in the snow, rain, and mod. We started from chipping Camden and finish in Bath. The hills and countryside were amazing.
Reina, Stuart and Mark Squires
From: Cheltenham
Started: 24th Oct, 2020 — Finished: 11th Aug, 2021
We started this walk as a family challenge during half term in October, we have been walking during lockdown and we decided to start this long walk after everything going on during the pandemic. We did this for all those people that are not with us, every time we started the walk in different sections we gave a little prayer for those people watching us from heaven. Was very emotional the last 30 miles, now we have finally finished and enjoyed every single mile we walk in any weather even in the snow, rain, and mod. We started from chipping Camden and finish in Bath. The hills and countryside were amazing.
Simon & Jacqueline Brown
From: Tenterden Kent
Started: 30th May, 2009 — Finished: 31st Jul, 2021
Started on a whim whilst at The Olympick Games; progressed through four house moves across the breadth of southern England and finally completed in this “real” Olympic year. Enjoyed many weekends away; particular shout outs to Court House Manor and The Wayfarer Café, both at Painswick.
Dianne T
From: Norwich
Started: 25th Jul, 2021 — Finished: 30th Jul, 2021
Lots of ups and downs during 6 days of beautiful countryside. All weathers encountered so glad I was prepared with waterproofs and sun cream. The trail was easy to follow and well marked but my phone apps consistently measured the distances walked as being more than the guide books alleged mileage, leaving me somewhat exhausted on the long days. The odd steep hill at the end of a day, especially in Bath towards the end tests one’s patience as well as walking skill, but makes it all the more rewarding. To do it in 6 days is challenging, so those wanting something more akin to a holiday should take longer. An enjoyable hilly walk.
Tracy Woods
From: Norwich
Started: 25th Jul, 2021 — Finished: 30th Jul, 2021
Wonderful, hilly, varied scenery and so much history
James Naylon. Rachael Naylon. Rob Atkinson. Helen Atkinson
From: Stonesfield West Oxfordshire
Started: 28th Jan, 2018 — Finished: 30th Jul, 2021
We finally completed our pandemic interrupted project last Friday when after a blustery and rainy last leg from Cold Ashton, we strolled to the abbey frontage in Bath and then enjoyed tea and cakes at the Nordic cafe. Averaging around ten miles on each of our ten visits, We enjoyed every step of the way delighting in the nature of the countryside and the views afforded. We would want to return to some areas and explore further and take the opportunity of revisiting some of the lovely cafes we found! (Hopefully photos to follow)
Sarah Thorneycroft & Victoria Jenkins
From: Cornwall & Carmarthen
Started: 13th Jul, 2021 — Finished: 20th Jul, 2021
Did the full route over 8 days - self guided so relied on good signage as well as detailed maps. Generally easy to follow signs although did get confusing when there was lots of them all together and they often changed colour - would have been good if the Cotswold Way signs were distinguishable from other public footpaths in the area. More challenging than we thought it would be but managed it in a good time despite the last four days being in a heatwave.
Caroline Barnard & Roger Chubb
From: Bristol, England
Started: 10th Jul, 2021 — Finished: 18th Jul, 2021
We are both in our mid 60s; during lockdowns over the last 12 months we decided to get out into the countryside around Bristol and do some walking. Most of the walks were 8 - 12 miles, circular walks that in several cases included sections of the Cotswold Way. And there began the basis for the inspiration to walk the trail. Caroline had a yoga trip to Greece in late July cancelled which followed Roger's scuba diving trip to Indonesia in May which was also cancelled. So what are we going to do for a holiday, walk the Cotswold Way of course! It was pretty much a last minute decision! We arrived in Chipping Camden by train from Bristol to Moreton-in-Marsh and bus; having used a company to book our accommodation. This company would also transport our overnight bags; all we had to do was walk! Which we did through a spell of very hot weather, arriving in Bath nine days later and catching the train back home to Bristol. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, we met some lovely people both at B&Bs and on the route
Jonathan Dowe
From: Lymington, Hampshire
Started: 28th Jun, 2021 — Finished: 2nd Jul, 2021
It was the best walk of my life, challenging and varied. Great people too, would recommend joining the Facebook group, more great people
Simon Throssell and Dan Thompson
From: London and Cambridge via Leighton Buzzard
Started: 29th May, 2021 — Finished: 4th Jun, 2021
Watch our film, IN THEIR COTSWOLDIAN FOOTSTEPS: https://youtu.be/nJeFJUQfeno On the day after film-maker Simon Throssell's parents married, his grandparents walked 102 miles along The Cotswold Way from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire to Bath in Somerset. After recently discovering his Grandpa's old diaries, Simon and his best friend Dan Thompson attempt the same journey 30 years later as they follow in their Cotswoldian footsteps.
Vanessa Cruwys, Richard French, Pete and Kate White, Mark Lavenstein
From: Tunbridge Wells
Started: 28th May, 2021 — Finished: 3rd Jun, 2021
Beautiful scenery and very favourable weather. More climbing than we had assumed! Some great vistas on the hills with 360 degree views. Limited cafes and pubs en route for lunch stops. Decent accommodation options. Best accommodation was Forthay Guest House in North Nibley and Bell Inn in Selsley Common near Stroud.
Andy and Jo
From: Kidderminster
Started: 24th May, 2021 — Finished: 29th May, 2021
Loved every minute of the Cotswold Way. So many stunning views, awesome memories and running into interesting likeminded people along the way. Route is well waymarked. Will definitely return and given us the appetite for more national trails.
Philip Dark
From: Bristol
Started: 30th Apr, 2021 — Finished: 4th May, 2021
Did the walk over 4/5 days as part of Captain Tom 100 challenge. For my local NHS hospital charity and cancer research. Stunning scenery makes multiple climbs worth it. Kept pace with a Muntjac Deer also enjoying the route at Dowdeswell reservoir. A total wellbeing experience, brought all buried feelings about grieving for family and challenges of covid to front of my mind so I could release them. Emotional at times but spurred me on to fulfill my challenge.
Shan Nagarajan
From: Reading
Started: 2nd Apr, 2021 — Finished: 5th Apr, 2021
It is very beautiful trail and good views of Cotswold.
