Routes
INTRODUCTION​
There are two Cotswold Discovery Trails, one in the north and one in the south Cotswolds. You receive both in your trail pack.
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The trails are written and designed as circular routes that take a day long to complete, allowing you to finish close to where you begun.
Each trail has 5-6 designated start points around the route making each trail easily accessible form anywhere in the Cotswold.
Each route brings a balance of town, village, countryside and historical monument for you to discover on each. The trails traverse the 4 historic counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, but they are not just a journey across the Cotswolds they are a journey through time, allowing you to discover the full depth and rich history of the Cotswolds as well as its stunning beauty.
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Click on the location markers on the maps below for the postcode so you can calculate the distance to you closest start point.
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North Trail
NORTH COTSWOLD DISCOVERY TRAIL
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The north Cotswold Discovery Trail snakes its way around the countryside stopping at many of the most famous and historic towns the Cotswolds has to offer.
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The major stops include the medieval market town of Burford, the famous
Stow-on-the-Wold, the beautiful Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water with its charming bridges, the incredible Upper & Lower Slaughters, Winchcombe and the historic Sudeley Castle, amazing views at Broadway Tower, the Stone Age monument of Belas Knap and the ancient market town of Northleach
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TAKE A QUICK TOUR ON THE NORTH TRAIL
South Trail
DID YOU KNOW
Minchinhampton has an entry in John Lloyd and Douglas Adams famous book 'The Meaning of Liff'.
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It is given the definition "The expression on a man's face when he has just zipped up his trousers without due care and attention".
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If by some strange chance you happen upon this circumstance when in Minchinhampton be sure to try and get a photo and let us know.
SOUTH COTSWOLD DISCOVERY TRAIL
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The south Cotswold Discovery Trail brings you to:
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A Roman Amphitheatre near Cirencester, the picture postcard village of Bibury, the delightful ribbon village of Chedworth, an Iron Age fort set upon the Cotswold Escarpment, Painswick; the Queen of the Cotswolds, the charming village of Minchinhampton,
Badminton with its famous sporting connections, the delightful village of Sherston, the historic town of Tetbury
and the source of the River Thames.
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Post Script
FINDING SOMEWHERE FOR LUNCH
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There are loads of options to choose from for lunch. At this time we have not chosen to list and or review them as there are so many and we couldn't possibly do it justice.
However, be assured of a plethora of choice as you move around the Trails. All major 'town' stops on the Trails have lots of choice and there are numerous quality cotswold country pubs on the routes you will discover as you drive around.
THE ROADS
The Cotswolds is blessed with fantastic countryside that's largely easily seen from the car so as you journey around the trails you are blessed with being able to see far and wide.
The roads along the entirety of the routes are suitable for any car. There is a mixture of winding country roads which offer fords to drive through and stunning views to major A-roads which get you from place to place nice and quickly.
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