The Christ Church Memorial Gardens Photo: Kasey Holwerda

Speaking of a holiday in the Cotswolds will most likely conjure up images of bucolic idyll: strolling through endless countryside dotted with honey-coloured cottages, enjoying visits to grand manor houses steeped in richly layered history and meandering through exquisitely designed traditional English country gardens. Whilst the Cotswolds is indeed the epitome of fairytale country life, there is so much more a Cotswolds walking holiday has to offer.

Beyond its outstanding natural beauty and perfectly preserved historic villages, the Cotswolds is home to one of the most iconic cities in England, Bath, and is ideally placed for a visit to the prestigious university city of Oxford.

Combined with a tour through wonderful countryside, exploring these iconic cities at a leisurely pace will leave nothing further to be desired.

With the vast array of things to see and do in each city, it would be easy to get carried away. Our Oxford to Bath walking and cycling tours perfectly combine the peaceful outdoors with the buzzing cultural life of these cities without overloading the senses. The perfect mix of ancient and modern and surrounded by unspoilt countryside, both Oxford and Bath are excellent starting points to a Cotswolds adventure. To celebrate the grandeur of these cities and help you truly savour the experience once you visit, we have collated our favourite photos taken by our clients on our tours featuring Oxford and Bath.

The Radcliffe Camera, an Oxford landmark and a working library
Photo: Kasey Holwerda

Oxford
Photo: Kasey Holwerda

Author J.F.Penn at Godstow Abbey near Oxford
Photo: J.F.Penn

A well-deserved cup of tea and cakes at the Maytime Inn in Asthall, on the way from Oxford to Bath
Photo: Kim Price

Cycling on quiet country lanes from Oxford to Bath
Photo: J.F.Penn

Coln St Aldwyns
Photo: Kim Price

Wonderful countryside walking from Castle Combe to Bath

Dramatic views on the Cotswold Way walking towards Bath, near Cheltenham
Photo: Chuck and Carole Carpenter

The Royal Crescent in Bath
Photo: Kasey Holwerda

Pulteney Bridge, Bath

The beginning or end of the Cotswold Way at Bath Abbey

Husband and wife team Andrew and Elizabeth Guppy lead Cotswold Walks, specialising in customised self-guided and guided walking holidays in the Cotswolds. Living and working in the Cotswolds is an essential part of what makes their company special. As avid walkers, they can often be found walking the routes with their dog Indie. Andrew and Elizabeth are passionate about what they do. They strive to take you on a tour that showcases the best of the Cotswolds, from iconic gardens and fabulous local food, to sweeping vistas over the emerald green countryside dotted with honey-coloured cottages. Through careful planning and attention to detail, the mission of Cotswold Walks is to ensure you have complete peace of mind, so you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the Cotswolds and create lasting memories. Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France, England and other European countries.