Best walks in the Cotswolds

Stretching around 100 miles from Bath to Chipping Campden, the Cotswold Way was created in 2007. It is a designated National Trail and closely follows the Cotswold Edge escarpment. With its breathtaking views, the Cotswold Way is exactly what you've been looking for all along. It covers typical landscapes and passes through several quaint market towns. While it takes around ten days to complete the entire route, the trail can be easily divided into smaller walks. Explore the scenic Cleeve Common with its wildflowers and limestone grassland or visit charming market towns such as Winchcombe and Snowshill.

The Gloucestershire Way is amongst the most beautiful Cotswolds walking trails. Starting at the Welsh-English border, this 94-mile trail runs through the Forest of Dean and links up to the Worcestershire Way in Tewkesbury. The walk was devised by the Ramblers Association and Tewkesbury Walking Club. The route can easily be broken up into smaller sections or circular routes. You'll get to explore some of the Cotswolds' most iconic villages.

This outstanding route was created by the Ramblers' North Cotswold Group, a local walking association, to mark its 60th anniversary in 1995. Covering 65 miles, the Diamond Way owes its name to its distinct diamond shape. It passes through the rolling hills and deep valleys in the heart of rural Gloucestershire. Its easternmost outpost is the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Dubbed the "Venice of the Cotswolds", Bourton-on-the-Water is a popular holiday destination. The Diamond Way typically takes around a week to complete.

This 40-mile hiking trail is best explored in spring when the cherry and apple trees lining the way are in full bloom. Expect beautiful canopies of white, pink and purple tree crowns. The Blossom Way passes through the spectacular Vale of Evesham. Due to its exceptionally fertile land, it is an agricultural production hub. Be prepared to find bustling villages with farmers' markets, small independent shops and numerous cafés where the local fare can be sampled. You can also take a detour and visit Worcester, Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon.

This spectacular five-mile-trail is part of Shakespeare's Way which passes through parts of the Cotswolds and the Chiltern Hills before merging with the Thames Path into London. The route starts in Chipping Norton, a quaint market town in West Oxfordshire, and will take you to the mysterious Rollright Stones. The Rollright Stones were designated a historic site in 1882. They are split into three different formations, one of them being the standalone King Stone. The King's Men is a stone circle composed of 77 individual stones of varying heights, with the tallest of the stones standing at nearly 10 ft.

Originally unveiled in 1977 to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee, the Wychavon Way was revised in 2012. The new route starts in Droitwich Spa, a popular spa town on the River Salwarpe. It crosses Bredon Hill and ends at Broadway, a stunning village located in the far southeast of Worcestershire. Overlooking Broadway is Broadway Hill which is very popular with hill walkers. Plan ahead if you want to hike the entire trail, as the route is 42 miles long. You will come across several stunning towns and villages where you can enjoy a hearty meal or stay the night.