Overview
This journey through the Cotswolds, whose name comes from the Old English for “sheep hills,” combines beautiful walking with time to explore the villages that make this region so special. We will begin the trip in Bath, one of the most beautiful historic cities in England, famous for its natural hot springs, as well as Roman origins and Georgian architecture. Bath is also known for its literary ties, as authors like Jane Austen and Marry Shelley both lived in Bath. The small city has a number of excellent, independent bookshops known for their extensive and well-curated selections. We'll have time to explore the historic center's architecture, lovely parks and riverfront, as well as bookshops and cafes. To decompress after traveling to Bath, we will also enjoy soaking in a thermal bath in a private session just for our group. After enjoying the vibrant city of Bath, we will then head to the quieter countryside villages in the heart of the Cotswolds. We begin our walk in the historic market town of Chipping Campden and continue through some of the most charming villages in the region, including Broadway, Stanton, Winchcombe, and the hilltop village of Painswick. Over several days, we will walk some of the most scenic sections of the Cotswold Way, following well-maintained footpaths that wind through rolling hills, along the Cotswold escarpment, and across open farmland that has looked much the same for centuries. We'll cross through fields with grazing sheep and the occasional horses or cattle. Each day’s walk is intentionally relaxed, typically between four and seven miles, leaving plenty of time to wander village streets, browse local shops, step into independent bookstores, and enjoy cafés and historic pubs along the way. For those who would like the option to walk further, one of the trip leaders will continue on the Cotswold Way after lunch along with anyone who wants to join while the other trip leader will head to the village we're staying in that evening. This is a trip for people who enjoy walking, reading, and discovering the charm of small places at an unhurried pace.
Curated for you
The Best of the Cotswolds
We've chosen boutique hotels that are welcoming, full of character, and well-located within each village. By staying two nights in most locations, we'll have time to settle in, explore at a relaxed pace, and enjoy the walking experience without packing up and moving every day.
Hotel #1: 2 nights
Hotel #2: 2 nights
Hotel #3: 1 night
Hotel #4: 2 nights
The Experience
Walking
For those of you who love active holidays, this is the trip for you! It is an active experience and we will plan on walking 4-7 miles each day. The trails are well-maintained and typically grass, dirt or gravel so you can walk easily in sneakers or trail runners or choose to go with hiking boots if that's your preference. We'll stop as a group for lunch and you will have the option to either get a transfer to the accommodations and have more time to explore a new village and read in the afternoon, or continue walking further along the Cotswold Way after lunch. If you choose to keep walking after lunch, the total daily distance will be in the range of 10-12 miles. If you'd prefer to skip the walking on any particular day, that also works. You'll then have more time to relax and explore the beautiful villages. If it is a transfer day, we will help you book transportation to the next stop.
Reading
In Bath and Broadway, there will be opportunities to visit incredibly well-curated independent bookshops. We'll meet several times during the trip for book club discussions for books shared with the group prior to the trip. We will also have a few book-themed surprises along the way. The books selected for this trip will center around long distance walking or hiking adventures, historical fiction relevant to the area and books set in this region.
Pre-Retreat Virtual Book Discussion with Anna from AllTooWellRead
Reading the same book before we travel gives us a shared starting point, sparks conversation before we even arrive, and adds another layer to our time together as we explore the landscapes and villages that inspired the journey. As with everything, you choose whether you'd like to participate. You'll help choose the book by voting from a curated shortlist. About four months before the retreat, we'll mail a copy to your door. Then, about two months before departure, you'll join Anna, creator of @alltoo.wellread, and the rest of the group for a virtual book club discussion. While Anna won't be in England during our trip, we enjoy connecting with her before heading to the Cotswolds.
Balance
The pace of the trip is designed to balance time on the trail with time to slow down and take in the character of these villages. Some stops might be for a bookshop, others for a bakery, a milk vending machine, a garden, or simply a scenic bench that invites you to sit for a while. Once in the village for the afternoon / evening, there is plenty of time for reading, relaxing, having a pint in a local pub or exploring the charming golden stone villages.
Meals
Meals are a highlight of this experience. We have taken great care to select stops along the way that have flavorful food and will also make a few stops off the Cotswold Way to visit some of the best gastropubs in the region. We'll be eating in old historic pubs with lots of character that also take pride in farm-to-table eating and locally sourced ingredients. From morning to evening, you’ll be well fed in every sense of the word.
Luggage Transfer
For those of you worried about carrying a heavy backpack each day - don't worry! Nobody needs to carry a heavy backpack on this walk. We will have a luggage transfer service included for each day we are walking to transport your larger luggage. That means you will only need to carry the essential items you need for the day, like water, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen and layers.
Logistics
Point-to-point walks can be complex in terms of logistics. You don't have to worry about any of this - leave the details to us and rest assured that we will get you seamlessly from village to village along the way. We'll take care of all hotel bookings, restaurant reservations and taxi transfers so you can just show up and enjoy the scenery and company!
What Makes Away Retreats Different?
Do you love walking and hiking, but don't want to do a trip like this solo? We'll curate a diverse and interesting group of individuals so you have the best company while walking and discussing books. Our team has also walked the entire Cotswold Way and picked the highlights, as well as some not-to-be-missed spots just off the Cotswold Way. When you travel with us, you can avoid the less exciting parts of the trail and skip the busy and stressful road crossings and the stretches with no food or drink options along the way.
Itinerary
Previous
Next
Bath (Days 1-2)
Day 1: Arrival into Bath, get settled, free afternoon in Bath, group welcome dinner.
Day 2: Free morning in Bath to explore, go on a walking tour, soak in the history of the city, check out some of the well-curated independent bookshops and enjoy the local cafes.
In the afternoon, the group will have a private session in one of the nicest thermal baths in the city. Later on, we will have our first book club discussion.
To offer maximum flexibility before we head to smaller villages, you are free to have lunch and dinner on your own in the city on Day 2. We'll happily give you recommendations for our favorite spots!
Cotswold Way (Days 3-5)
Day 3: Drive from Bath to Chipping Campden, stopping in a few scenic villages en route, leisurely lunch at one of the best farm-to-table gastropubs in the Cotswolds.
Day 4: First day on the Cotswold Way! Walk 6 miles from Chipping Campden to Broadway, enjoying the scenery and stopping to take in the views and a cup of tea at Broadway Tower before heading down into Broadway, known for its wide streets and central green.
Day 5: Walk from Broadway to Stanton, one of the prettiest villages on the trail. We'll have a delicious group lunch at a pub with scenic views over the town before a transfer or walk to the next village. The Sudeley Castle is located just on the outskirts of Winchcombe, so castle and garden enthusiasts may want to plan a visit with the free afternoon.
Broadway-Stanton is 4.5 miles and those that choose to walk to Winchcombe after lunch can go up to 12 miles today.
Painswick (Days 6-8)
Day 6: Walk through active farms from Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill, the highest point on the Cotswold Way. From Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill, we'll cover around 6 miles. After taking in views from the area and seeing some of the most clear views of the escarpment formation, the group will get a transfer to Painswick.
Day 7: Free morning in Painswick, afternoon walk of around 2 miles to the nearby Slad Valley for dinner at a local gastropub.
Day 8: Departure Day. Away Retreats will organize all airport transfers, so all you have to worry about is packing and saying your goodbyes!
What's included
What's Included
Pre-trip & Logistics Support
All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Roundtrip transportation between London Heathrow (LHR) and the Cotswolds
Thermal Spa in Bath
7 nights Accommodation (between 4 different hotels)
Book Clubs and other bookish events throughout the week
Luggage transfer for 1 bag on walking days
Gift bag
2 Away Guides
Donation to non-profit in England
Transportation between villages on the Cotswold Way if opting for a half-day walking or no walking day
What's Not Included
Roundtrip airfare to London Heathrow (LHR)
1 lunch & 2 dinners (it's fun to explore and we will help you)
Any meals during traveling that take place before or after you meet the group
Specialty drinks (smoothies or alcoholic beverages)
Travel insurance (required). We have recommendations for you to explore
Additional Activities or Spa Services
Transportation to areas outside of the scheduled itinerary
Hosts
Our retreats are led by a small, collaborative host team that combines subject-matter expertise with thoughtful, on-the-ground support. Together, we create an experience that feels well organized, welcoming, and easy to settle into. Your guides for this retreat will be Amy, along with another Away Retreats instructor (to be announced).
Amy Heinemann
Amy is an avid traveler and loves hiking and other outdoor adventures, food and architecture. She grew up doing long road trips with her family to explore national parks in the US and Canada and has carried this excitement about wide open spaces into adulthood. Her favorite way to discover new countries and cultures is through their culinary traditions, markets and natural landscapes.
After prior careers in the environmental field and finance, she decided to take a break from her corporate job in NYC and has been traveling around the world - mostly organizing solo adventures and trips with friends. In total, she has visited 142 countries.
She walked the full Cotswold Way with her parents in May 2026 and is excited to revisit the most scenic parts and highlights with this group!
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Reviews
FAQs
What is the cancellation policy?
Deposits are refundable for 7 days.
If cancellation occurs more than 120 days prior to the retreat start date, you will receive a 50% refund, less the deposit.
Cancel 90-120 days prior to retreat start date and receive a 25% refund, less the deposit.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations that occur 90 or fewer days before the retreat start date.
However, we CAN apply your deposit to a future AWAY retreat!
We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover issues related to cancellation.
What is the payment policy?
A 25% deposit is required to reserve your spot on the retreat.
The remaining balance is due 120 days before the retreat start date.
Please reach out if you'd like to chat about a payment plan that might work better for you.
Is everything really optional?
Yes! This is your trip. Every scheduled activity is available to you, and you are in no way pressured to join any or all of them.
There is freedom in doing what you would personally like to do, each day.
Can my dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes! There are options for vegetarians, pescatarians, omnivores and carnivores alike.
Gluten-free diets can be accommodated as well.
Are vaccinations recommended or required?
You may read about the current CDC recommendations and guidelines here.
Is there WIFI?
Yes. While it’s nice to unplug from the outside world, many of us have lives at home that require some communication.
There will be WiFi at all the accommodations and there is good cell service throughout the walk, as well.
Why do you require travel insurance?
As experienced travelers who’ve learned to expect the unexpected, we require travel insurance.
Travel insurance helps protect your investment in the retreat and provides coverage for unexpected events such as illness, injury, family emergencies, travel delays, lost luggage, or trip interruptions.
Because retreat payments are subject to our cancellation policy, we require all guests to carry travel insurance so they have protection if plans change unexpectedly. It's best practice to purchase a policy shortly after booking (and we provide a recommended insurance provider in your confirmation email).
What will the weather be like?
The weather can sometimes be a bit moody in the English countryside, but we will plan to proceed rain or shine. Don't worry - we'll share all the details about what to bring in our packing list so you can stay dry, comfortable and fully enjoy the experience!
Expect daytime temperatures in the low 60s to mid 70s °F (15-25 °C), with cooler mornings and evenings where you will want a warm layer.
What is on the packing list?
You'll receive a packing list which will include things like:
✔ Activewear for walking days
✔ Rain jacket and rain pants
✔ Lightweight fleece
✔ Sun hat
✔ Closed-toed shoes
We'll provide all of the details well in advance of the trip!