10 Days & 9 Nights

Discover England: Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast

Enjoy England's most charming duo in one trip: the Cotswolds and coastal Cornwall
Stroll the storybook villages of Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water
Meander through quintessential English meadows and woodlands
Follow the Pilgrim's Way to St. Michael's Mount, a legendary coastal landmark
Explore Bath, a UNESCO listed city rich in Roman history & Georgian architecture

Discover the best of southern England on this private self-guided tour, as you journey from the Cotswolds to the Cornwall coast by rail and on foot. Begin your adventure in the Cotswolds, where charming villages, rolling hills, and cozy country pubs beckon. Wander through idyllic chocolate-box hamlets, with honey-stone cottages and babbling brooks before heading to the UNESCO-listed city of Bath. Immerse yourself in 2,000 years of history at its Roman Baths, marvel at its golden Georgian architecture, or visit the ancient site of Stonehenge and uncover its enduring mysteries. Next, swap your hiking boots for one of England’s most scenic rail lines along the dramatic southwest coast to Cornwall. Stay in the artistic harbor town of St Ives and the historic coastal village of Marazion, soaking up the local culture, rich traditions, and Celtic heritage. Connect with your spiritual side as you set out on the St Michael’s Way, a coast-to-coast, micro-pilgrimage once walked by pilgrims bound for Santiago de Compostela, following paths that have inspired generations. Then cap things off with a free day on St Michael’s Mount, wander down its cobbled causeway, explore the castle and finish with a classic English cream tea overlooking the bay. Epic!

From $2,095.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Moreton-in-Marsh Day 2 Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold 7 miles / 11 km Day 3 Stow-on-the-Wold to Bourton-on-the-Water 5.5 miles / 9 km Day 4 Transfer to Bath. Free day to explore the city's wonders Day 5 Bath Skyline Trail or Visit Stonehenge 7 miles / 11.5 km Day 6 Take the train from Bath to St Ives Day 7 Free day to explore St Ives or optional hike along the South West Coast Path to Zennor 6 miles / 10 km Day 8 St Michael's Way micro pilgrimage to Marazion 10 miles / 16 km Day 9 Free day to visit St Michael's Mount Day 10 Onward Travel

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Discover the charm of England’s South on this private self-guided hiking adventure with Macs Adventure, showcasing two iconic regions: the Cotswolds and Cornwall. From the honey-hued villages and rolling hills of the Cotswolds to Cornwall’s dramatic cliffs and golden beaches, this journey effortlessly blends natural beauty with rich cultural heritage. Choose from easy-to-moderate walks, lasting 3-4 hours, along well-marked national trails, or immerse yourself in the region’s traditions and history at your own pace. Hear the tales and hidden secrets of the Roman Baths, uncover the mysteries of Stonehenge, or savor a classic afternoon tea at the enchanting St Michael’s Mount. Whether you prefer hiking or wandering, this trip promises timeless landscapes, fascinating history, and unforgettable experiences in these quintessentially English destinations!

Tour Type:

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie

Coastal Walking

National Parks

Accessible by Rail

Activity Level & Terrain

The tour is graded as easy to moderate. Expect hikes around 6-10 miles a day, with some noticeable hill climbs. While moderately steep at points, it should be more than manageable for any active hiker.

As you go from countryside to coast, the paths will switch from woodland trails, and well-maintained country bridleways and farmland of the Cotswolds, to more rugged and rocky coastal paths of Cornwall, with sections on soft sandy beaches. Some paths can become very muddy and boggy when rain falls, often making progress slower than normal and there are elevation gains and losses, especially when hiking on the coastal paths, as the trails follow cliffs and may go up and down to hike along the beaches in between.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodations

You will stay in hand-selected B&Bs and hotels of typical Cotswoldian (country inns) and Cornish character (harbor hotels). Expect warm welcomes, comfortable bedrooms and delicious breakfasts.

Alternate accommodation

During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodations which are not listed in the description. If those listed are unavailable the alternative accommodation will be of the same or better standard than those described.

Solo Hikers

This self-guided Discovery tour is available for solo hikers but we would recommend that you are experienced in walking and navigating alone. Please note however that a significant solo supplement may apply for this tour. This is primarily due to the costs of included services such as taxi and luggage transfers, as well as the lack of solo traveler discounts at many hotels in the Cotswolds and Cornwall.

Single Rooms

If your party, requires single rooms, we will make every effort to accommodate your request. However, this is subject to availability and typically incurs a substantial single supplement. Hotels in the Cotswolds and Cornwall rarely offer discounts for single occupancy of their rooms.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning and consists typically of a continental buffet with tea and coffee, fresh fruits, yogurt, cereals, eggs and bread with jams. Often also on the menu are cooked options like freshly made porridge or a traditional cooked English breakfast (Bacon/Eggs/Sausage/Beans). This of course varies depending on what hotel you are overnighting in. We don't include lunch and dinner, so you are free to choose from the available options. As you walk along the trails you will see our recommendations on the Macs App. It shows the locations of convenient lunch, dinner, coffee, or pub stops – Expect a mixture of traditional English pubs, cozy tearooms or fine-dining restaurants. If you wish to go somewhere in particular for your evening meal, we recommend checking opening times and reserving yourself a table well in advance before your visit to avoid disappointment.

Navigation What's Included

Included

Overnight accommodation in Hotels and B&B
Breakfasts
Luggage transfers as noted in the itinerary (excludes Day 6)
Taxi transfers (as noted in the itinerary)
Train journey from Bath to St Ives on Day 6
Detailed information pack, route notes and maps
24/7 telephone support

Excluded

Travel to starting point/from finish
Lunches, dinners and snacks
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Personal equipment
Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)
Guided trip to Stonehenge

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the walk

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

This tour starts in Moreton in Marsh. There is regular direct service from London (Paddington Station) to Moreton-in-Marsh train station, with a journey time of approximately 1.5 hours.

London is well-connected to all major UK transport hubs across the UK and has several large train stations - your arrival station depends on your departure point. If your connecting train doesn't directly go into London Paddington, you will likely need to use the super-efficient London Underground. For international travelers arriving at London Heathrow, the Heathrow Express Bus offers a quick, direct route to London Paddington in just 15 minutes. If you're arriving at London Gatwick, you can take the Gatwick Express Train to London Victoria Station (about 30 minutes), then transfer to the Victoria Line on the London Underground, which will take you to Paddington in around 20 minutes.

The London Underground (commonly referred to as "the tube") may seem intimidating at first, but it’s very straightforward to navigate once you get the hang of it, and staff are always on hand to keep you right!

Getting from the End

This tour ends in Marazion. For your onward travel plans, the most convenient option is to depart via Penzance train station to London Paddington (6-8 hours journey). Penzance is around a 10-minute taxi journey (or 20 minutes by bus) from Marazion. There are direct trains, but in some cases, you might need to connect via other major train stations, such as Reading or Bristol Temple Meads. When arriving in London, you can connect via rail, bus or airplane to most other major UK cities or transport hubs.

For those flying internationally, from London Paddington Station, you can easily connect to London Heathrow Airport via the Heathrow Express Bus, or if you're leaving from London Gatwick, you can take the London Underground eastbound to London Victoria Station (15 mins). From London Victoria Station, hop on the regular Gatwick Express Train directly to Gatwick Airport (30 mins).

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation.  Please keep in mind that you’ll be carrying your overnight bags with you on public trains (specifically within the itinerary on Day 6 from Bath to St Ives and on your arrival and departure days), so we recommend packing as light and compact as possible for your own convenience.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of just 1 bag per person of up to 18kg/41lbs per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

Info & FAQ

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Can I book extra nights? What happens if I can’t hike a stage? What personal equipment do I need for a self-guided hiking adventure in the Cotswolds and Cornwall? Why can I not start this tour on a Friday? What is involved if I want to visit Stonehenge? Can I start this tour on a Saturday? Can I book both of the Discovery England trips together to create one longer trip? What is the best way to book train travel in England? What train tickets are included in this tour?

Why Macs

Reasons to believe in Macs Adventure:

The Biggest Choice

Self-guided hiking & biking is all we do - we have hundreds of tried & tested trips.

Founded in 2003

We’re still founder led & the world’s number one self-guided operator with mountains of experience.

23,000+ Customer Reviews

Plus, with a Feefo Platinum Service Award & British Travel Awards, you know you're in good hands.

B Corp Certified

We’re proud to be B Corp certified, reflecting our commitment to sustainable travel that supports communities and upholds the highest social and environmental standards.