The Cotswolds

Highlights


•    Hike or cycle through the classic English countryside of the Cotswolds
•    Explore the quiet lanes of picturesque villages like Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold
•    Enjoy a pint and the friendly local atmosphere and hearty food of a local pub
•    End your Cotswold walk in Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage listed city
•    Take in the views from Broadway Tower over the surrounding countryside
•    Cycle to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, 

The Cotswolds are located in South West England, just under 100 miles and 90 minutes from London and easily reached by train, bus or car. Stretching 787 square miles from Stratford-upon-Avon to the Georgian city of Bath in the south, the entire region is comprised of 6 counties. The Cotswolds has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and contains a wealth of UNESCO listed sites and historic landmarks. Quintessentially English, it offers up landscapes of green rolling hills combined with a scattering of charming, honey-colored villages. The Cotswolds abounds in pristine gardens, pretty cottages, castles, stately homes and ancient ruins and is a true treasure of England.

Why Choose Macs For Your Cotswold Adventure?
Since 2007 we've sent countless travelers to the idyllic countryside of Jane Austen and the fictional Crawley family of Downton Abbey. The roots of Macs Adventure are deep set in the UK, giving us unique knowledge and insider detail to make sure you get the best out of your time in the Cotswolds. We offer 12 self-guided "inn to inn" hiking and cycling tours showcasing three distinct areas and the best highlights of the Cotswolds including several on the 102 mile Cotswold Way, a National Trail of England, and on specially crafted circular routes like the northerly Cotswold Trail, and Cotswolds In Comfort, the more southerly Southern Cotswolds: Oxford to Bath and indulgent Oxford to Bath In Style or while Cycling the Heart of The Cotswolds.

 

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Our Tour Types

Discover The Cotswolds

  • Download your Macs Cotswold Hiking Guide

    Curious to know more about hiking in the Cotswolds? We have one of the most comprehensive selections of Cotswold hiking tours in the US market, with a variety of different itineraries to suit your personal hiking style.

    Download our Macs Guide to Hiking in the Cotswolds. Or you can speak with one of our experts through an enquiry form  or give us a call at +1-844-857-0642.

    Download your Macs Cotswold Hiking Guide
  • What to Do in the Cotswolds

    The Cotswolds are located in South West England, less than 100 miles and 90 minutes by train from London. The area has long drawn ‘walkers’ (aka hikers) and cyclists to its idyllic English landscapes and picturesque villages. It's a perfect active travel destination, and the tradition of walking the picturesque countryside is firmly established for locals and visitors alike. And the country lanes and quiet villages provide the ideal backdrop for cycling the heart of the Cotswolds.  Our long-distance multi-day hiking and cycling tours are self-guided, allowing you to travel with who you like and at your own pace. We offer routes and trails in 3 different Cotswold regions, and tours ranging from 4 - 12 days to fit your travel plans. A hand-picked collection of B&Bs, charming inns and boutique hotels accommodate plenty of well-earned rest and local hospitality.

    What to Do in the Cotswolds
  • Most Frequently Asked Questions about the Cotswolds

    Being experts on hiking and cycling in the charming English Cotswolds it’s unlikely that there’s a question that we’ve not been asked before! We like a challenge though…so please reach out to us if you have any!  But first, check out our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. Top questions include: 

    Q. When is the best time of year to hike in the Cotswolds? 

    Q. How fit do I need to be? 

    Q. What gardens can I visit and where is the best cream tea?

    Most Frequently Asked Questions about the Cotswolds
  • Historic and Quirky Cotswold Facts

    Limestone - The Limestone is what gives the Cotswolds villages and churches their honey-colored glow. The dry-stone walls built in the Cotswolds are everywhere and you will walk alongside many on your travels. If you laid them end to end they would stretch further than the Great Wall of China.

    Wool - The Cotswolds were manly built on the wool trade and you can still see many examples of mills on your walks. Many of the impressive local buildings were built with money from the wool trade. The local sheep are called the 'Cotswold Lions' and have been brought back from the brink of extinction.

    Unique Local Customs - There are a lot of very interesting local customs, which you can participate in should you be visiting the area at that time of year. There is an annual cheese rolling at Coopers Hill, Birdlip, where contestants roll wheels of Double Gloucester cheese down a hill! There is also a football game in Bourton on Water where the goalposts are either side of a river! These are only the tip of the iceberg too.

    Outstanding Beauty - The Cotswolds is the largest Area of Outstanding Beauty in England, and the second-largest protected area after the Lake District. The Cotswolds are rural England at its most stunning, the towns and villages with their warm honey limestone facades adding charm and beauty to the natural wonder that surrounds them.

    Historic and Quirky Cotswold Facts
  • Why book your Cotswold vacation with Macs?

    Since 2007 we’ve organized thousands of hiking tours in the Cotswolds. Each year our staff spend time here seeking out the best footpaths, accommodations, pubs and tea rooms. We realized that there is more than just the Cotswold Way walk, so we developed Trail and the Round to showcase the finest villages, historic landmarks and quaint countryside the area has to offer. And our Cotswolds in Comfort and In Style tours offer some of the nicest accommodations in the region.

    As in all of our self-guided hiking tours we transfer your luggage and you can travel on your terms by choosing your own departure date and who you travel with. We provide route info packs and maps in our easy-to-use app which even works offline.

    Our specialists are here to help connect you with your perfect adventure. Just get in touch if you have any questions.

    Why book your Cotswold vacation with Macs?

  • Walk the Cotswolds

    The Cotswolds is world-famous for bustling market towns, beautiful villages, and stunning countryside. Our travelers love walking in England’s quintessential landscapes, discovering the abbeys, historic houses, ruins and history of the area. In this video, take a look at our flagship Slower Adventure: The Cotswolds in Comfort

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  • Best Villages in the Cotswolds

    Rolling hills, honey-colored stone, and villages that feel frozen in time. In this video, we take you through some of the best villages in the Cotswolds - from postcard-perfect streets and historic market towns to peaceful riverside hamlets. Each stop showcases the quiet charm, rich history, and beautiful countryside that make the Cotswolds one of England’s most loved walking regions. The best part? You can visit these villages on our self-guided Cotswolds hiking or biking itineraries. With hand-picked accommodations, luggage transfers, and flexible routes, you’re free to explore at your own pace - on foot or by bike.

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  • Stay in the PIG Hotel in the Cotswolds

    The PIG-in the Cotswolds, a storybook hotel nestled in Barnsley village, Cirencester. With its honey-hued 17th-century house, Arts & Crafts gardens by Rosemary Verey, kitchen-garden cuisine, and tranquil Fieldhouse Spa, it’s the kind of place where beauty and warmth go hand in hand.

    From their 25-mile menu ethos to on-site kitchen gardens, every plate is rooted in the local landscape. They’ve embraced B Corp certification, embedding social and environmental accountability into their operations. Join us as we peel back the curtain on the sustainable practices, the people who make them happen, and the choices that make THE PIG more than just a beautiful place to stay.

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  • TY Cycles in the Cotswolds

    Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, TY Cycles is more than just a bike hire shop - it’s the beating heart behind some of our Cotswolds cycling adventures. In this episode of our People Behind the Scenery series, we meet Tom, the passionate owner of TY Cycles, and long-time local partner of Macs Adventure.

    With his expert knowledge, top-quality bikes, and a genuine love for the Cotswolds, Tom and his team help travelers go beyond the tourist trail - one pedal stroke at a time. 

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  • The Volunteer Inn

    Volunteer Inn, a locally-run pub and inn where owner Mark and his team welcome guests with warmth, care, and unmistakable Cotswold charm. Nestled in the heart of Chipping Campden, this 17th-century inn combines traditional character with hearty pub meals, cozy rooms, and a friendly atmosphere that reflects the spirit of the local community. Just a short stroll from the town’s historic High Street, the Volunteer Inn is the perfect base for exploring the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds.

    Insider tip: Did you know that the team at the Volunteer Inn also moves your luggage across all our Cotswold trips?

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