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An older couple smiles at the camera while hiking on a path through the countryside in England.
England

Hiking the English Countryside: The Cotswolds and Cornwall

Program No. 18730RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
29 meals ( 13B, 3L, 13D )
3 expert-led lectures
19 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
13 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Orientation. 5:00 p.m. The Group Leaders will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with two Group Leaders, who will accompany us throughout the program to lecture, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics, as well as dealing with logistics. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leaders will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure to unpack, relax, and prepare for the program ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1 hour. The walk from Chipping Campden to Broadway is approximately 5.5 miles, with two steady hill climbs totaling approximately 650 feet (200 meters) of ascent; paved streets, grass and earth paths. Extent of walking and other activities during time for independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board a motorcoach and ride into the Cotswolds to the delightful town of Chipping Campden. A local expert will lead a walk and suggestions for places to visit during time for independent exploration
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leaders will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Afternoon:
We will regroup and walk from Chipping Campden to the village of Broadway, via the iconic Broadway Tower, led by our Group Leaders. We’ll navigate spectacular hills and be rewarded, weather permitting, with glorious views out across the Cotswolds. Broadway Tower itself stands like a monolith atop Dover’s Hill, the second highest point in the Cotswolds, and is an example of what the English affectionately refer to as a “folly” – an extravagant building constructed for no real practical purpose. We will then return to the hotel by motorcoach.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, approximately 3 hours. The Oxford city walk is approximately 1.5 miles on flat ground; paved streets, some cobblestones. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice. Please note Christ Church was changed to New College due to restricted access for groups, but you are more than welcome to visit Christ Church with your free time in the afternoon.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and travel to Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires. Once there, we’ll take in the grandeur of New College. Founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, as The College of St Mary of Winchester in Oxford, New College is one of the oldest colleges in Oxford. Within, you can discover an original section of city wall within its confines, the oldest college dining hall, a beautiful chapel, gardens and filming connections such as Harry Potter.
Lunch:
Your choice of lunch with provided vouchers.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leaders will be happy to offer suggestions. We will receive information packs with maps, directions, historical notes, and suggestions for things to do. We will return to the hotel by motorcoach for dinner.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At the hotel, we'll enjoy a presentation by a Cotswold AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Ranger on the history of farming in the Cotswolds and the conservation movement in rural England.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 75 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. The Duntisbourne Valley walk is approximately 6.5 miles on largely flat ground; paved streets, grass and earth paths.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board a motorcoach and ride to Cirencester, a quaint market town and an important early Roman fort. Here we will enjoy a visit to the Corinium Museum, where we will explore the excellent exhibits detailing Cirencester’s Roman history together following an introductory talk.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Cirencester.
Afternoon:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the Duntisbourne Abbey to begin a walk led by our Group Leaders. Duntisbourne Valley is home to numerous beautiful small villages and some wonderful views. Our final destination is Miserden village, stopping en-route at Miserden Park. We will return to the hotel by motorcoach after our field trip.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 55 miles, approximately 2 hours. The Quenington via Coln St Aldwyns to Bibury walk is approximately 6 miles on largely flat ground; paved streets, grass and earth paths.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the picturesque village of Kelmscott. Upon arrival we’ll walk through the village to Kelmscott Manor — home to both William Morris and the hugely influential Arts & Crafts movement — where we’ll enjoy an expert-led exploration of the house and gardens.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We will board the motorcoach and ride to Quenington. From there, we will walk to Coln St Aldwyns, a charming hamlet on the banks of the River Coln, before continuing our afternoon’s walk with our Group Leaders. Our route will take us through the many picturesque villages of the Coln Valley, passing peaceful and unspoiled riverside, before ending in the Cotswold village of Bibury, once described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England.”
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. The Naunton to Bourton walk is approximately 6 miles with a moderate 1100-foot (333-meter) ascent; paved streets, grass and earth paths.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board a motorcoach and ride to the picturesque village of Naunton, from where we’ll explore some beautiful British pastures and riversides as we walk to Bourton-on-the-Water led by our Group Leaders. On the way, we’ll pass through Upper and Lower Slaughter, an interestingly named pair of villages that have been inhabited for over 1,000 years.
Lunch:
A packed lunch will be provided.
Afternoon:
A short transfer from Bourton brings us to the picturesque hill-top town of Stow-on-the-Wold. Free time to explore Stow. Stow was the scene of the final battle of the English Civil War and also boasts an unusual literary connection. We will return to the hotel by motorcoach for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we will enjoy a special treat tonight with a light main course followed by one of the famous “Pudding Club” evenings for which the hotel is renowned, tasting a selection of traditional British desserts and voting for our favorites.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 210 miles, approximately 5.5 hours. Extent of walking and other activities in Wells according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer by motorcoach to Cornwall, in the South West of England. En route, we will pay a visit to the cathedral city of Wells. One of the smallest cities in England, Wells is packed with fascinating history and architectural splendor. Our Group Leaders will orientate us to the area before we have some free time to explore at our own pace.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Wells.
Afternoon:
Our transfer to Cornwall continues, with a lecture aboard the motorcoach on the history and cultural significance of the landscape through which we’ll be riding, and a late afternoon arrival and check-in to our next hotel. We will relax over a pre-dinner drink as a local expert gives us an introduction to the local area at the hotel
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 2 hours. The walk from Pentire Farm to St Enodoc Church is approximately 6.5 miles. There are several short, but sharp ascents and descents; gravel, grass and earth paths, sandy beach.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board a motorcoach and ride to Pentire Farm to begin a walk through stunning Cornish landscapes, led by our Group Leaders. We’ll make our way along the coast to St Enodoc Church, marveling at the breathtaking views across the Camel estuary, followed by sandy beaches and wildlife-rich dunes. We’ll stop in Polzeath in the late morning for some free time to explore the town.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a packed lunch.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue from Polzeath to complete our journey to St Enodoc Church. Laurence Binyon wrote “For The Fallen” whilst sat along this route, and Sir John Betjeman is buried in the churchyard at St Enodoc. We then travel onwards by motorcoach to Port Isaac for an afternoon of independent exploration. Port Isaac is a busy coastal port first established in the Middle Ages, where narrow, winding streets bordered by picturesque cottages give way to a delightful marina stretching out into the sea. Eagle-eyed fans of British television will also be able to spot the home of popular character Doc Martin, perfectly positioned above the village looking out over the bay. We will return to the hotel by motorcoach for dinner. Prior to dinner we'll be entertained with stories from a local story-telling company
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 115 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. The walk from St. Ives is approximately 3 miles, with a gradual ascent of 330 feet (100 meters); gravel, grass and earth paths, paved streets with many cobblestones.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We will depart by motorcoach for the seaside town of St Ives. Those of us who want an active morning may join the guided walk around the harbour & St Ives' Head before exploring St Ives independently. Those who prefer a slower pace may instead explore the town for longer. Its cobbled streets are full of history, legend, and tradition. The town is also home to the Tate Gallery, the Cornish arm of the world-famous London gallery.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
After our time in St Ives, we’ll board the motorcoach for a field trip to King Edward Mine, which finally closed it's operation in 1875. We will return to the hotel by motorcoach for dinner.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 40 miles, approximately 2 hours. The walk from Harlyn to Padstow is approximately 7 miles, with an ascent of 460 feet (140 meters) and several short, sharp descents; gravel, grass and earth paths, paved streets with some cobblestones.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We will drive by motorcoach to Padstow, where we will have two choices. Our Group Leaders will lead a walk from Harlyn Bay to Padstow, via Trevone Head and Hawker’s Cove – a magnificent stretch of rugged coastline and a stunning tidal estuary. Those of us who would prefer a quieter morning may explore Padstow independently for fuller exploration of its charms.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We'll take the Blacktor Ferry from Padstow to Rock, then travel onwards to a local family-run microbrewery close to the village of Delabole. We will return to the hotel by motorcoach for dinner.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 65 miles, approximately 3 hours. The walk from Dodman Point to Mevagissey is approximately 6.5 miles, with ascents totalling 100 feet (300 meters) over three main climbs; gravel and grass paths, paved streets.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out by motorcoach to explore the Cornish Riviera, with two choices for us to enjoy this picturesque part of the county. Those who prefer a slower pace may pay a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a world-renowned botanical garden, for an expert-led visit to the North Garden and time for independent exploration. Those of us who want an active morning can join our walk from Dodman Point to Mevagissey – a superb promontory with sweeping views along the coast in both directions, picturesque fishing villages, and sandy coves.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We’ll all meet in Mevagissey this afternoon, where our Group Leaders will lead us on an exploration of this bustling fishing village, packed full of history, crafts and – of course – fresh fish! We will return to the hotel by motorcoach for dinner.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles, approximately 3/4 hour. The walk from Boscastle to Tintagel is approximately 4.5 miles, with an elevation gain of 1100 feet (335 meters) split across three climbs; paved streets, gravel and grass paths. The extension to Trebarwith Strand is a further 2.5 miles.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and ride to Boscastle, a beautiful village at the head of a fjord-like natural harbor. It was scene of a terrible flood in 2004, and is a good illustration of how topography contributes to natural disasters, how communities recover, and the effects of climate change. We’ll negotiate the spectacular Rocky Valley as we walk from Boscastle to Tintagel with our Group Leaders, following a wild coastline with imposing cliffs and ancient rock formations, before taking in a dose of English mythology at Tintagel. Set high on the rugged North Cornwall coast, Tintagel Castle is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
The day continues and those who prefer a slower pace may continue to explore Tintagel. Those of us who want a more active afternoon can continue our walk onwards to Trebarwith Strand. We will then return to the hotel and take some time to reminisce on our walking adventures in Cornwall.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 265 miles, approximately 5.5 hours. Extent of walking and other activities in Salisbury according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board the motorcoach for our transfer to the London airport hotel, with a visit to the city of Salisbury en route. We’ll have time to independently explore this ancient city that has been welcoming visitors since 1227.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Salisbury.
Afternoon:
After rejoining the motorcoach, our transfer continues, with a late afternoon arrival and check-in to our last hotel.
Dinner:
Dinner included at the hotel. We’ll share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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