Cotswold Discovery Trail

Cotswold Discovery Trail

The COTSWOLD DISCOVERY TRAIL is a self guided private tour enabled by our beautifully designed maps and Trail Pack. There are 2 day long Trails to do. Avoid expensive tour guides, the map is your guide. Explore things on your own, at your own pace with the confidence you know where you are going.

The centrepiece of the Trail Pack is a fold out map. There is a Trail on each side, one for the North & South Cotswolds. The Trails are circular to complete in a car, structured around many stops where you explore on foot. There are many start points, so you finish where you start, which is the most convenient place for you.

The maps offer comprehensive directions, are packed full of interesting information and loaded with questions and clues to answer which illuminate further on your surroundings.

If you have a limited time in the Cotswolds this is the best way to see a lot of it.

Timings and Structure:

The recommended start time is 9.30am with an estimated finish time between 5-6pm. Make your way to one of the suggested start points indicated on the Trail maps. Each Trail takes a day long to complete with a total driving time of between 2-2.5 hours. The rest of the day will be you exploring on foot. A lunch stop is built in to these timings.

South Trail: 

Bibury - Regarded by many as the most picturesque village in England. 

Chedworth - A beautiful village hidden in a valley. 

Painswick Beacon - A short walk to stunning 360 degree views and the ancient remains of an Iron Age fort. 

Painswick - Known as the Queen of the Cotswolds, there is so much to discover here. 

Minchinhampton - A charming little medieval village. 

Badminton - Famous for the Horse Trials, the architecture is very different here to the rest of the Cotswolds. 

Sherston - An ancient market town with a wide thoroughfare. 

Tetbury - This little Cotswold town is brimming with charm and history. 

Source of the River Thames - Yes, the great big river in London has its source here. You can find it with a short 10 minute walk. 

Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre - The Romans left their mark all over the Cotswolds. This is the biggest example of it.

North Trail:

Burford - The view as you enter the town from the top of the hill is incredible. 

Bourton-on-the-Water - The River Windrush runs through the heart of the village setting a wonderful scene. 

The Slaughters - Picture postcard stuff. 

Stow-on-the-Wold - A bustling ancient market town with loads going on. 

Chipping Campden - Stunningly beautiful hughstreet with loads of interesting things to discover. 

Broadway Tower - A grand folly with spectacular views. 

Winchcombe - Another town with epic historical tales and architecture to match. 

Belas Knap - The oldest of monument on the Trails dating back 5000 years. It's a 10 minute rural walk to find it. 

Northleach - Much fascinating ancient and modern history to discover here. 

Mode of Transport: 

The Trails are designed to be completed by a car and on foot. Your own car or a rental suitable for your group size. 

Whats involved: 

Follow the directions on the maps to complete the Trails. Along the way you uncover loads of interesting information about your surroundings and have to keep you wits about you to answer questions as you move around and explore each location. Pack contains other goodies including pens paper, car stickers, additional challenges and activities for younger children.