The Food, Culture, and Châteaux of the Loire Valley

The Best of France - May 4 to 11, 2027

Learn more about the valley of the French Kings

May 4 to 11, 2027

Picture yourself waking to birdsong and walking each morning through the loveliest countryside in England, stopping for a picnic lunch, with evening dinner in a local pub or other /restaurant. Then settle down to sleep in an historic inn or bed & breakfast.

Now picture yourself again at the top of a gentle rise, looking out across rolling hills, stone-walled fields full of sheep and lambs, and flowering hedgerows.

This is what we have to offer on this memorable walk in the Cotswolds. This is an area that is both posh and unforgettably beautiful and one of the Brits’ favorite walking trails.

Welcome to the Cotswold Way.

If you like to walk, if you enjoy England, if you’re in love with the countryside, then this trip is for you..

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About the Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile walking trail in England, of which we’ll cover about 40. Portions of the path itself trace back thousands of years. Long before it was a hiking trail, people used this high ridge to travel and defend themselves.

If you walked the trail in its entirety, you would pass historical sites including ancient graves from the Stone Age, old hill forts from the Iron Age, and ruins left behind by the Romans. The trail also winds through beautiful, historic villages built with golden stone from the wealth of the medieval wool trade. The route also bears witness to medieval history, passing historic battlefields from the English Civil War.

The push to turn these ancient paths into one official, continuous walking trail started in the 1950s. Two local walking enthusiasts, Tony Drake and Cyril Trenfield, proposed the idea to connect existing paths so people could walk the whole distance. After years of planning and mapping, local councils officially opened the Cotswold Way in May 1970 to encourage people to get outside and enjoy nature.

Over the next decades, the trail became quite popular. Volunteers worked hard to keep the path clear and post signs to help walkers find their way. Because it was so loved, the government decided to make it an official "National Trail." After upgrading the paths to keep hikers off busy roads, the Cotswold Way was formally launched as a National Trail in 2007, complete with the famous acorn-shaped signs that guide walkers today.

Dates: April 20 to 28, 2027
Location: The Cotswolds, England
Cost: $4850 (see below for details)
Maximum group size: 14

More:

See below for full trip details and costs
Receive a $300 discount when you bring or refer a friend
Send us an inquiry about this trip
Read our FAQ

See below for more details about this workshop

Questions about payments, costs, our cancelation policy and more? Consult our Frequently Asked Questions.

Read the FAQ

The walking

We’ll be walking during English springtime, with an abundance of wild flowers and birds that have returned from the south.

Our distances will be relatively moderate. The trail is well traveled and well marked. The walking itself is through fields, along dirt roads, and through forests. The path itself may present some mud, potholes in the country lanes, and roots on the forest paths. There will be some hills as we make our way up to enjoy the view and then walk back down the other side. We will be walking (not hiking), and our route will not be overly demanding (but again, be prepared for some mud, roots, hills, small rocks, and small streams to cross).

There will also be styles used to cross fence lines. These require some dexterity to climb over.

As people say, you don’t visit England for the weather. April is not the wettest month by far, but there is still a good possibility of rain. You’ll need to bring full rain gear and proper, waterproof walking/hiking shoes and be prepared for occasional mud.

Generally, we’ll walk five to eight miles a day and of course we have all day to do it. This distance is achievable for anyone who walks regularly and can handle some hills and other small challenges.

We will not rush through our routes, though. We will stop to enjoy the views, visit important sites, talk with other walkers, eat lunch, and have a cup of English tea whenever it’s available.

Trip Details

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April 20 to 28, 2027 (8 nights - 9 days)
Total cost of the tour: $4850

Supplement for single occupancy: $675
Deposit required to reserve a place on the tour: $600

(Places in the tour are limited to 14 and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend that you reserve your place early!)
Payment schedule
$600 deposit is due when you make your reservation.
The remainder of the cost will be due in 4 installments on:
- September 1, 2026
- November 1, 2026
- January 1, 2027
- March 1, 2027
Each installment payment will be $1063. The cost of a single room is additional and will be due November 1, 2026. You can pay in fewer installments if more convenient for you.
Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel up to 90 days prior to the trip’s start, any payments you’ve already made will be held for you so that it can be applied to a future trip. If you are within 90 days of the trip’s start, we’ll have already incurred substantial costs related to your reservation and so we won’t be able to offer you a credit. Instead, you will need to file a claim through your travel insurance. More information is found in our FAQ.
If we need to cancel a trip for another reason, such as a natural disaster at the trip’s destination, the trip will be rescheduled. You will also have the option to apply the payments you’ve made to another trip.
** Receive a $350 credit on your next trip when you bring or refer a friend. Read More.
- A minimum of 1 walking guide each day. Often there will be 2.
- 8 nights lodging
- 8 Dinners and breakfasts
- 2 Cotswold picnic lunches
- Pickup and drop off at the designated airport at the designated time
- Local transportation by van and driver
- Transport of luggage between hotels
- Visits to special sites
What’s not included:
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Alcohol
- 6 Lunches
The inns and B&Bs where we’ll stay are exactly what you’d expect in the Cotswolds and you’ll know that you are in the heart of England.
The hotels serve you a hearty English breakfast to charge you up for the day’s walk. At one location, we’ll split the group between two large houses.
Here is a selection of places we will stay:
The hotels are along the Cotswold Way. We will stay two nights in each of two towns and one night each in the other hotels.
Some nights we’ll dine in local pubs on pub fare, from fish & chips to bangers and mash and mushy peas. At proper restaurants we can look forward to local lamb or beef, fish from the north Atlantic, or creative vegetarian dishes.
Breakfasts are generally at our hotels and if you’ve ever had a full English breakfast, you’ll know that you’ll not go hungry.
Some lunches will be picnics and for others we’ll stop at local cafes and other eateries.
To extend your trip, and take some time to catch up on your sleep before the walk begins, you may wish to arrive early in England, the UK, or elsewhere in Europe. This also protects against travel delays and missed connection. London is of course an option.
You can also extend your trip with a post-tour visit to Europe.
Yes, you may cancel your trip if you need. Up to 90 days prior to the trip’s start, any payments you’ve already made will be held for you so that it can be applied to a future trip. If you are within 90 days of the trip’s start, we’ll have already incurred substantial costs related to your reservation and so we won’t be able to offer you a credit. Instead, you can file a claim through your travel insurance.
Contact Us as soon as you know you must cancel and going forward, let us know what future trip you’d like to join and we’ll set it up for you.
You will not be responsible for any payments that have not yet been made.
Any credit you have with Travel Fever Tours may be applied to a different person’s account, if you like. Credits are valid for a period of three years.
You will be contacted once the trip reaches minimum enrollment so that you can proceed with purchase of your flights and make other travel arrangements.

Note: This is a walking tour and so we’ll walk. This trip is more challenging than other walking tours that we run. There are hills and the surfaces include mud, roots, and small rocks. This is still a walking trip (not hiking), but you should be reasonably fit and prepared to do the Cotswold Way.

Meet your guide, Sharon Hedges

Your guide through the Cotswolds will be Sharon Hedges, a Brit and a resident of the Cotswolds. Sharon is a big walker and familiar with the Cotswold Way and all of the villages along our planned route.

Sharon is also a global traveller, travel marketing expert, and digital nomad. She has run her own tour company taking people on safari all over Uganda.

She loves British pubs, a good pint of cider, good humour, the English countryside, the people, the history and architecture of the Cotswolds, sharing experiences, and making sure everyone is having the best time! We have no doubt you will enjoy her energy and her company.

Our hotels

If you picture where you might want to stay while walking across England, you’ll be pleased by the hotels we’ve selected for you. These inns and B&Bs are exactly what you’d expect and you’ll know that you are in the heart of England.

Some are connected to pubs, some offer fine dining, and all serve you a hearty English breakfast to charge you up for the day’s walk. At one location, we’ll split the group between two large houses.

Here is a selection of places we will stay:

The hotels are along the Cotswold Way. We will stay two nights in each of two towns and one night each in the other hotels. Your bags will be moved for you from town to town.

Where we’ll eat

England has long since shed its reputation for bland food. It now serves some of the most pleasing meals you’ll find anywhere.

Some nights we’ll dine in local pubs on pub fare, from fish & chips to bangers and mash and mushy peas. The Brits certainly know how to prepare fish & chips. And don’t overlook the curries, a true British national dish! At proper restaurants we can look forward to local lamb or beef, fish from the north Atlantic, or creative vegetarian dishes.

Breakfasts are generally at our hotels and if you’ve ever had a full English breakfast, you’ll know that you’ll not go hungry.

Some lunches will be picnics and for others we’ll stop at local cafes and other eateries.

Frequently Asked Questions

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No, we will take your bags from one hotel to the next. You only will need a daypack with rain gear, water, and perhaps a snack.
Generally not. We will not be in a position to pick you up and drive you to the hotel. However, in case of emergencies or when you just can’t walk any further, we’ll make arrangements for you. And in all cases, the distances are not great.
Yes, the English are quite tuned into special dietary needs and we’ll work with you in case there are specific needs.
Each day is different but expect to walk between five and eight miles per day. The longest day is eight miles. The paths are well traveled and well marked. There are a number of steep uphill climbs and descents, but the length of each hill is not overly long. There will be some roots, small rocks, and mud along some portions of the trail.

Is this trip for me?

The Cotswold Way is a popular walking path in England and it is generally agreed that anyone who is reasonably fit and walks regularly can handle it. However, that doesn't mean that there aren’t hills. There are a number of places where the ascent and descent can be fairly steep over short stretches.

You’ll find the path itself to be well traveled and well marked. We will be generally on dirt tracks, through fields, and on quiet country roads. You can expect to find some mud, roots, and small rocks on sections, as well as styles used to cross fences.

The daily distances are not that great, with the longest measuring in at about 8 miles, and we won’t be covering that distance as quickly, for example, as we do on the Camino in Spain. And we’ve kept the distances manageable to give us time to make stops along the way, as there is much to see.

Our itinerary

This itinerary offers a wonderful balance of walking, history, scenery, and authentic English experiences. We will enhance our walking with a variety of memorable activities and local highlights. There are far too many options to do them all, so we’ll make a selection based on the interests of the group.

Day 1:

Arrival from airport and orientation

Stay in: Chipping Campden

Welcome walk along one of England's finest medieval high streets.
Visit the iconic Market Hall (1627).
Browse independent galleries, bookshops, and artisan food shops.
Trip orientation and introductions.
Welcome dinner with local ales and classic English cuisine.
Visit the Little Oak Vineyard
See a show at the Cidermill theatre

Walkers particularly enjoy:

Honey-coloured limestone architecture.
Traditional pubs with centuries of history.

Day 2:

Chipping Campden to Stanton, Distance to walk 7.25 miles

Stay in: Chipping Campden

Initial climb out of Chipping Campden onto Dover's Hill, then rolling escarpment, woodland tracks and fields before descending to Stanton.

Highlights along the walk

Dover's Hill viewpoints.
Rolling Cotswold escarpment.
Dry stone walls and sheep grazing.

Optional excursion

Visit Broadway and Broadway Tower after the walk for panoramic views over 16 counties on a clear day.

Day 3:

Stanton to Winchcombe, 6.28 miles

Stay in: Winchcombe

Gentle farmland followed by climbs around Stanway and the approach into Winchcombe. Some uneven woodland paths.

Walking highlights

Ancient woodland.
Historic Stanway Estate.
Beautiful approach into Winchcombe.

Possible visits

Belas Knap Neolithic burial chamber.
Historic High Street.

Evening

Dinner in one of Winchcombe's historic inns

Day 4:

Rest Day in Winchcombe

Stay in: Winchcombe

Sudeley Castle

Magnificent gardens
Tudor history
Burial place of Katherine Parr (last wife of Henry VIII)

Steam Railway

Ride a heritage steam train through the countryside.

Village exploration

Independent cafés.
Antique shops.
Traditional tea rooms.
Winchcombe Pottery on the outskirts of the village.

Optional extras

Wine tasting.
Farm shop visit.
Local history tour.

Day 5:

Winchcombe To Cleeve Hill, 5 miles

Stay in: Cleeve Hill

Shortest distance but the biggest climb of the itinerary, ascending to Belas Knap and then up onto Cleeve Hill. Spectacular views but sustained uphill walking. Although short, this is one of the most dramatic walking days.

Highlights include:

Highest point on the Cotswold Way.
Spectacular views over Cheltenham and the Severn Valley.
Limestone grassland.
Possible sightings of wild ponies.
Views towards Wales on clear days.

Day 6:

Cleeve Hill to Cheltenham, 8 miles

Stay in: Cheltenham

The walk descends into elegant Regency Cheltenham. Mostly downhill from the highest point on the Cotswold Way, with woodland, open common and parkland. Can be slippery if wet.

Afternoon ideas: