What to expect
Winchcombe
Discover quintessential English towns
Marriott Cheltenham Chase
Four-star hotel with leisure facilities
Varied walking programme
Experience the Cotswold Way
About this trip...
Discover some of the UK’s most picturesque landscapes and finest walking trails in the world-renowned Cotswolds – celebrated for its charm and natural beauty. Stay in a superb four-star hotel and enjoy expertly guided walks in the company of like-minded travellers on this ever-popular Solos walking break.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's included?
Twin/double room for single use with private facilities
Breakfast & 3 course evening meal daily with ½ bottle of wine
Welcome drink & information meeting
2 Full Day guided walks, including transfers
Experienced Cotswold Blue Badge walking guide-
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Passport & visas
- Insurance click here
Itinerary
- Arrival Day
- Cotswold Way & Ancient Mercia
- Cotswolds Woodlands & Grasslands
- Departure Day
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrival Day
Check in at leisure and perhaps enjoy the hotels facilities then meet your fellow Solos guests for the first evening dinner.
- Dinner included
Day Two: Cotswold Way & Ancient Mercia
Our first walk begins in the historic town of Winchcombe, often considered the capital of ancient Mercia—one of the original seven Saxon kingdoms. From here, the trail leads us through a peaceful pastoral valley before opening up to sweeping stretches of farmland, where you’ll likely see the region’s iconic sheep grazing in the fields. Along the way, we’ll visit several notable landmarks:
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St Faith’s Church – a historic site with roots stretching back to Saxon times.
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Farmcote Herb Garden – a delightful stop to take in the colours and scents of a wide variety of herbs.
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Hailes Abbey – a Cistercian monastery founded in 1246, rich in medieval history.
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Hailes Church – known for its striking medieval wall paintings and stained glass windows.
We’ll pause for refreshments at Hayles Fruit Farm, the perfect place to sample local treats. The walk concludes back in Winchcombe, where there’ll be time to unwind and enjoy a well-earned drink at one of the town’s cosy pubs or cafés.
- Transfer time: 30 mins approx
- Walking distance: 7.5 miles approx (Steep in parts with stiles)
- Breakfast & dinner included
Day Three: Cotswolds Woodlands & Grasslands
Today’s walk takes us on a charming route through scenic woodlands and open grasslands, carefully maintained to support diverse wildlife—including several orchid species and the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly. As we follow the trail, we’ll be rewarded with sweeping views: the rolling Painswick Valley on one side and the striking Malvern Hills on the other. On a clear day, you may even catch sight of the Severn Estuary, the Forest of Dean, and the distant Welsh hills.
We'll pause for a well-deserved break at the welcoming Edgemoor Inn, the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some refreshments before we continue our walk.
Transfer time: approx. 20 minutes
Walking distance: approx. 6 miles
- Breakfast & dinner included
Day Four: Departure Day
After a leisurely breakfast, check-out and say goodbye.
- Breakfast included
Accommodation
Four-Star Delta Hotels Marriott Cheltenham Chase
Surrounded by rolling countryside with a backdrop of the Cotswolds hills, this contemporary and well appointed hotel is a superb base for our Cotswold's walking break.
Facilities include
We can unwind after a days’ walking in the bar before dinner in the restaurant. Further facilities include a health club with indoor swimming pool, gym, spa jacuzzi and treatment rooms (charges apply).
Room includes
The comfortable bedrooms feature en-suite facilities, Wi-Fi, hairdryer, arm-chair, iron/ironing board, tea & coffee making facilities, small fridge and satellite LCD TV.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Location & Transport
The hotel is conveniently located a short distance away from the M4 and M5 motorways. Complimentary car parking is available.
Walking Programme
Two guided walks are included in the programme. The walking programme requires good physical fitness and you can expect to walk approx 7.5 miles on the first walk and approx 6 miles on the second walk. A coach will be used to transfer you to the starting point of the walks.
Walking notes Walking boots: Essential. It is recommended to purchase a snack and drink to take with you before each walk. Lunch on both days will be at own cost. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday.
If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking. You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it.
Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
What to wear
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort. The weather, even in summer, can be unpredictable. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses.
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £10. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% of the metered fare.
