Gloucestershire, in South West England, is the heart of the Cotswolds — a county where walking holidays and outdoor adventures are defined by rolling hills, golden-stone villages, and timeless rural charm. From Painswick and Winchcombe to the sweeping escarpments of the Cotswold Way National Trail, every path offers a mix of heritage and scenery.
Walkers can follow ridge-top trails with panoramic views, explore ancient woodland in the Forest of Dean, or trace the source of the Thames near Kemble. The county is home to the Cotswold Hills National Landscape and part of the Forest of Dean, both rich in wildlife and history. With its combination of escarpments, valleys, and villages, Gloucestershire is a place where English countryside walking feels at its most authentic.
Cotswold Way
A 102-mile National Trail from Chipping Campden to Bath, with escarpment views, Iron Age forts, and classic Cotswold villages.
Wysis Way
A 55-mile trail linking Monmouth to Kemble via the Forest of Dean and Severn Vale, joining the Cotswolds to the Thames Path.
Thames Path (Source Section)
Meadows and villages around the source of the Thames near Kemble, marking the beginning of this iconic National Trail.
Winchcombe Way
A 42-mile circuit from the walking hub of Winchcombe, crossing fields, woodlands, and historic sites.
Donnington Way
A pub-lover’s route linking all 15 Donnington Brewery inns via scenic countryside walking.
One of the county’s most famous walking bases is Winchcombe, known as a true “walkers’ town” with trails in every direction. Painswick, the “Queen of the Cotswolds,” offers charming streets and yew-filled churchyards, while the Forest of Dean provides woodland adventures and sculpture trails.