Oxford to Bath Walk

Oxford to Bath Walk

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Oxford to Bath Walk

10 Days Starting in Oxford and ending in Bath

Visiting: Oxford, Woodstock, Witney, Burford, Bibury, Cirencester, Tetbury, Castle Combe, Bath

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W09OX

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Low, Medium, Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

12 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Visit some of Oxfords treasures from the Ashmolean to Bodleian Library before setting off along the Shakespeare Way to your first stop at Woodstock, home to Blenheim Palace. Follow the River Windrush into the heart of the Cotswolds to explore 'wool' towns before arriving in Cirencester (Corinium), the second largest town in Britain during Roman times. Enjoy a visit to the Bathurst Estate, created in the 1700s as a deer park by the first Earl Bathurst before following the disused Thames and Severn Canal through a landscape of gently rolling hills to arrive in Tetbury, and a chance to visit Highgrove Royal Gardens. Continue through the bucolic landscape to Castle Combe to admire the picturesque high street lined with former weavers' cottages that was used as the film set location for War Horse. The final stretch of your walk continues through countryside and along the canal to your final destination, Bath.

Highlights

  • Walk between some of the most scenic Cotswold villages in the southern Cotswolds, including Castle Combe, the film set location for War Horse

  • Visit Blenheim Palace, Highgrove Gardens and the Bathurst Estate

  • Gentle walks through wooded valleys and along canals and rivers

  • Discover historical Oxford, Cirencester and Bath

Places You'll See

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Oxford
Location: Oxford
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals

Arrive in Oxford. Spend time visiting one of the many historic buildings,
colleges or museums.

Day 2 : Oxford To Woodstock
Location: Oxford, Woodstock
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Kings Arms or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today's walk follows the River Thames before joining the Oxford Canal and the
Shakespeare Way to Woodstock. You'll have sweeping views back to Oxford
across the flood plain meadows. You'll pass a derelict nunnery and the church
at Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is laid to rest, before ending up in
the picturesque town of Woodstock where you can visit Blenheim Palace.

Day 3 : Woodstock To Witney
Location: Woodstock, Witney
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Corncroft B&B or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast

A chance for another visit to Blenheim Palace before setting off through
Capability Brown's wonderful landscaped grounds towards the village of Combe,
set on a hill above the Evenlode Valley. Continue on through the lush green
Oxfordshire countryside to the busy town of Witney, the largest market town
in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, once famous for its blankets.

Day 4 : Witney To Burford
Location: Witney, Burford
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Highway Inn or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today follow the River Windrush into the heart of the Cotswolds. The route
passes Minster Lovell and your walk ends in the bustling medieval town of
Burford, where the High Street sweeps downhill towards the River Windrush,
its three arched medieval bridge and its impressive 'wool' church.

Day 5 : Burford To Bibury
Location: Burford, Bibury
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cotteswold House B&B or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Your route today passes through the quiet hamlet of Holwell, through part of
the River Leach valley and follows the Roman road into Gloucestershire to
Hatherop. Follow a trail along the River Coln to Bibury, described by
designer William Morris as 'the most beautiful village in England'.

Day 6 : Bibury To Cirencester
Location: Bibury
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Prince of Wales or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Head through the village of Barnsley, past Barnsley House where the garden
was designed by its former resident, Rosemary Verey. Cross pasture and arable
land to Ampney Crucis before heading to the Roman town of Cirencester. Visit
the Abbey or stroll in the grounds of the nearby Bathurst Estate.

Day 7 : Cirencester To Tetbury
Location: Cirencester, Tetbury
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Alma House or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast

From Cirencester head through the grounds of the Royal Agriculture College to
follow the disused Thames and Severn Canal. After walking through a landscape
of gently rolling hills you'll reach the small town of Tetbury, with its
independent specialist shops and the Prince of Wales's original 'Highgrove
Shop'. Possibility of visiting Highgrove Royal Gardens - pre-booking is
essential.

Day 8 : Tetbury To Castle Combe
Location: Castle Combe
Meals Included: breakfast

Skirt the edge of the Highgrove Estate and follow the Monarch's Way through a
typical Cotswold landscape and through the National Arboretum at Westonbirt.
Walk through charming Cotswold villages and into Wiltshire to drop down into
Castle Combe, with its pretty high street used as the film set location for
War Horse and Stardust. Stay overnight at Castle Inn or similar.

Day 9 : Castle Combe To Bath
Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne
Location: Bath
Meals Included: breakfast

Walk through wooded valleys to the old market town of Marshfield. From
Batheaston follow the canal to Bath for a triumphant entrance to the city,
finishing up at the steps of Bath Abbey. Stay overnight at Apple Tree
Guesthouse or similar.

Day 10 : Leave Bath
Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne
Location: Bath
Meals Included: breakfast

Depart after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Route directions and maps

  • Luggage transfers

  • All accommodation

  • All Breakfasts

  • Meals

    9 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.

  • 9 BreakfastsAll accommodationRoute directions and mapsLuggage transfers

What's Not Included

  • Visas & vaccinations

  • Transfers to and from hotels

  • Hotel upgrades

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

  • Travel insurance

  • Hotel upgradesTransfers to and from hotelsTravel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)Visas & vaccinations

Food

Enjoy the local cuisine in quintessentially British pubs, cafes and delicatessens - local delicacies include Cerney Ash or Stinking Bishop cheeses, Crackleberry Farm eggs, Cotswold Cream liqueur and the local ales - try the Yubby beer from the Yubberton Brewery Co. There's also the archetypal English Cream Teas that go down a treat with a nice hot cup of tea!

Accommodation

A range of accommodation is used on this tour including B&Bs and Inns, many of which are in historic buildings. All offer a friendly Cotswolds welcome and full English Breakfast daily.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.