From: Berlin, Germany
Started: 20170602
Finished: 20180608
Dear Cotswolds Way team, Cotswolds Way walkers and Hall of Fame members!
Nearly one year after we finished the Cotswolds Way we finally found some free time to share our experiences with all Cotswolds Way walkers. We had a nice stay for two days in Bath and did the Cotswolds Way the other way round as we walked the Bristol-Bath Railway path first, directly after we arrived in Bristol. We started our adventure at the 2nd of June and finished at the 8th of June. On our way we rested at small B&B’s in Old Sodbury (Dogs Inn) and Dursley (best stay ever!) as well as in a nice apartment in Moreton-in-Marsh with the family, who picked us up once on the journey and released us at the same spot of the path again after a day off.
We enjoyed the scenic walk, the landscape and panoramic views from the hilltops but sometimes (really just very short periods of time) cursed the muddy slippery path, steeper slopes or the rain (unfortunately we had lots of it), but kept on walking.
We had impressive moments on the 160 km walk from Bath to Chipping Campden where we finished our walk in the evening (9pm). Unfortunately this late arrival hindered us to get our walk confirmed, but we decided to make a picture in the city centre instead. The walk was really worth it. Not only due to the sights like Tyndale Monument, long barrows (e. g. Belas Knap) or the small towns and churches in the countryside, but also because of the nature which was really stunning and other people we met on our way and had a chat with.
Our daily trips had between 30 and 42.2 kilometres in length and due to the weather conditions on two days we decided to have a day off, relax and visit other sights of the Cotswolds. One important lesson we had to learn on our way was, that you really shouldn’t underestimate the ups and downs of the route (when you come from a very flat place on earth) and that you should always be prepared for changing weather conditions.
We would like to thank the Cotswold Way team for keeping the trail in a very good condition. Especially the signs which tell you where to go were really helpful, although we had the two books (which were worth having as well) dealing with this Way.
Thank you very much for this experience!
Best regards from Berlin, Germany