Best The Cotswold Way 2024 Maps, Guides & Compasses

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A comprehensive guide to the Cotswold Way, a scenic 102-mile National Trail through the heart of the Cotswolds AONB. With detailed route descriptions, practical advice, and an OS map booklet included, this is an essential companion for walkers of all abilities exploring this historic and picturesque landscape.

Cicerone says: 

Guidebook to walking the Cotswold Way National Trail. Between Chipping Campden and Bath, the 102 mile route explores the Cotswolds AONB. Described in both directions over 14 stages, the Cotswold Way can be walked year round and is suitable for beginner trekkers. Includes separate OS 1:25,000 map booklet of the route.

Seasons – Can be walked all year round: accommodation is scarce during Cheltenham Festival (March) and Badminton Horse Trials (late April/May)
Centres – Chipping Campden, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Bath
Difficulty – The Cotswold Way is a waymarked lowland walk suitable for all abilities: suggested day sections are in the region of 6-10 miles (10-16km)
Must See – Hailes Abbey, Belas Knap, Crickley Hill, Haresfield Beacon, Sudley Castle, Broadway, views of Kelston Round Hill, roman baths (Bath)

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they’ve always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Contains step-by-step description of the route alongside 1:100,000 OS maps reproduced at 1:75,000 for better clarity
• Includes a separate map booklet containing OS 1:25,000 mapping and route line
• GPX files available to download
• The book features a facilities planner that highlights information about facilities and public transport along the route
• Full accommodation listings are included

Specifications

• Weight: 229g
• Edition: Fifth
• Number of pages: 144
• Size: 17.20 x 11.60 x .90cm

Contents

• CONTENTS
• Overview map
• Route summary table
• Alternate schedule planner
• Transport map
• Map key
• Stage facilities planner
• Introduction
• The Cotswold Way
• Outline of the route
• Trail background
• Planning your trip
• When to go
• Which direction?
• Accommodation
• Stage planning
• Suggested schedules
• Guided and self-guided holidays and baggage transfer
• Transport to and around the Cotswolds
• Equipment and other practicalities
• On the trail
• Using this guide
• Waymarking on the route
• Health, safety and emergencies
• The Country Code
• About the Cotswolds
• Geology
• Nature and wildlife
• The early occupation of the Cotswolds
• The Cotswolds since the Romans
• The Cotswold Way
• Stage 1 Chipping Campden to Broadway
• Stage 2 Broadway to Stanton
• Stage 3 Stanton to Winchcombe
• Stage 4 Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill
• Stage 5 Cleeve Hill to Dowdeswell
• Stage 6 Dowdeswell to Birdlip
• Stage 7 Birdlip to Painswick
• Stage 8 Painswick to Middleyard (King’s Stanley)
• Stage 9 Middleyard (King’s Stanley) to Dursley
• Stage 10 Dursley to Wotton-under-Edge
• Stage 11 Wotton-under-Edge to Hawkesbury Upton
• Stage 12 Hawkesbury Upton to Tormarton
• Stage 13 Tormarton to Cold Ashton
• Stage 14 Cold Ashton to Bath
• Appendix A Useful contacts
• Appendix B Accommodation along the route
• Appendix C Further reading