Hawkesbury Upton to Tormarton

Weather Forecast for this Section (Next 7 Days)

Section Overview

This is a quieter and more expansive-feeling stretch of the Cotswold Way, crossing open farmland, rolling hills and patches of woodland as the trail gradually approaches the southern end of the Cotswolds.

The walking is generally steady rather than steep, with long, gentle undulations replacing the sharper escarpment climbs found further north. With fewer large settlements along the way, this section can feel remote and peaceful.

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Leaving Hawkesbury Upton

The trail heads south from Hawkesbury Upton across open fields and farmland. The countryside here feels wide and exposed, particularly in windy weather, with big skies and far-reaching views in multiple directions.

Gradients are steady but rarely severe, making this a consistent and rhythmical stretch of walking.

Rolling Cotswold Countryside

Much of this section follows field paths, farm tracks and quiet lanes. Dry stone walls and hedgerows line the route, and livestock grazing is common.

There are occasional wooded stretches that provide shelter, but much of the walk is across open ground. Underfoot conditions are usually good, though sections can become muddy after prolonged rain.

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Approaching Tormarton

As you near Tormarton, the trail gradually descends and the landscape begins to feel slightly less elevated than the high escarpment stages earlier in the route.

Tormarton sits close to the M4 corridor, though the village itself remains small and rural in character.

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Tormarton

Tormarton is a small village with limited facilities, so many walkers plan transport or accommodation in advance. It serves as a convenient staging point before the final stretch towards Bath.

The sense of progression is strong here — you are now well into the southern third of the Cotswold Way.