Windrush Way

It's one of the most rewarding walks in the region, and you can break it into smaller sections depending on your energy and time.

The path winds through classic Cotswold countryside, passing through several appealing villages along the way. You'll get genuine riverside walking rather than road trudging, with the Windrush itself your constant companion as it flows through meadows and past stone villages. The terrain is mostly manageable, though it can get muddy after rain, so good boots are essential.

Bourton-on-the-Water makes an excellent end point—it's a proper working village with cafés, pubs, and shops where you can rest and refuel. If you're doing the full walk, you might want to arrange transport back to your starting point, or split it across two days with an overnight stay somewhere in the middle, perhaps in Burford or Withington.

The walk is best done in spring or early autumn when the weather is reliable and the light is clearer. You'll find genuine solitude here, especially on weekdays, and you'll see far more of the real Cotswolds than you would sticking to the main villages.