Cotswold Way: Chipping Campden to Bath
About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Cotswold Way holiday on Mooch, side by side.
Before you book: Walking holidays vs cycling holidays — when each one is the right answer · Which Camino route is right for you — an honest opinion on each of the seven
Chipping Campden to Bath on foot
Chipping Campden marks the start of this 102-mile (163 km) walk along the Cotswold Way. The waymarked route is one of the newest National Trails in the UK and runs through Gloucestershire and Somerset to finish in Bath. Along the way it passes through Broadway, Winchcombe, Birdlip, Painswick, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge. The landscape is full of wildlife, scenery and history.
This version has 9 days of walking over 10 nights, at about 11 miles a day. You can also walk it the other way, from Bath to Chipping Campden. If you'd like a longer trip, there are itineraries that start in Stratford-upon-Avon and cover 117 miles in 12 or 13 days.
Walking at your own pace
The holiday is self-guided, and the route is clearly waymarked. You still need to be a confident map reader and able to navigate on a compass bearing. Weather in the UK can change quickly and affect visibility and conditions underfoot, so carry a range of clothing each day. If you're not confident of finishing a day's walk, don't set out.
The daily distances are suggestions only. Longer or shorter days can be arranged, and you can take rest days anywhere on the route. The stated distances include the walk to your accommodation or pickup point, so they may not match the guidebook figures. The whole holiday can be tailored to suit you.
Accommodation and luggage
You stay in guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis. Every room has an en-suite or private bathroom and tea and coffee making facilities. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets can be catered for.
Your luggage is moved each day to your next accommodation. The aim is to deliver bags by 4pm, though road conditions can sometimes delay them. The holiday runs from March to 15 October in either direction. During the walking season, March to September, the office is staffed from 9am to 9pm.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on the Cotswold Way. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
