Posted on April 09, 2026
As the air begins to warm and the sun hangs in the sky for a little longer, nature's coming out to play and it’s the perfect time to put on your walking boots and wander through the beauty of The Cotswolds.
We've pulled together a shortlist of wonderful spring walks full of epic views, honey-hued cottages and blossoms will entice you out for a ramble on the Wolds over the coming months.
Slad Valley
The grey stone village of Slad and its surrounding valley is known around the world for Laurie Lee’s novel Cider with Rosie and it’s a beautiful place to explore on a bright spring day.
Walk in the footsteps of Laurie Lee as you explore the glorious Slad valley on the circular walk which starts in the centre of the village. Follow various footpaths and country lanes to the Wysis Way long distance footpath towards Piedmont. While there, make sure you visit the Snows Farm Nature Reserve with its limestone grasslands and wild flowers which include early purple orchid, fragrant orchid and pyramidal orchids.
Plan your walk around the Slad Valley right here.
Broadway Tower
A little walk with huge views, the popular circular walk from Broadway village to Broadway Tower has fantastic views over the Severn Valley and beyond.
The route follows a short stretch of the 100-mile Cotswold Way National trail along historic paths that lead to the tower that stands 312 metres above sea level with a visual panorama stretching for 62 miles across 16 counties. Set among 50 acres of woodland in Broadway Tower Country Park, the tower itself is the highest castle in The Cotswolds and a great destination to experience true English heritage.
Find out where to eat, stay, play and more on a trip to Broadway in our Broadway Area Guide.
Blossom Trail of Evesham
The riverside market town of Evesham welcomes spring each year from late March to early May with dazzling displays of blossom. Pink cherry and apple blossom interspersed with white pear and plum blossom line the roadsides of the Vale of Evesham and its surrounding areas for a dreamy escape in The Cotswolds.
Spring walks don’t get more picturesque that this and you’ll also enjoy the local farm shops, roadside stalls, pick-your-own centres and farmers’ markets along the way.
Find out more about Evesham's beautiful blossom trail on Visit Evesham's website.
Dyrham Park
The 270-acres of parkland at Dyrham Park are great for exploring the great outdoors with far-reaching views across to Wales. For those looking for the colours of spring, the garden bursts to life each year with a wonderful display of colour and scent.
Following the snowdrops that line the drive, you reach the gardens and terraces where daffodils and pear blossom brighten up the orchard while purple and cream-coloured crocuses, hyacinths and primroses pop up around the garden.
In March the scent of wild garlic starts to fill the air while its white flowers mingle with the bluebells that begin to emerge in April.
Plan your walks around Dyrham Park's 270-acre parkland over on the National Trust website.
Bibury to Coln St Aldwyns
For honey-coloured buildings, swathes of green hillsides and unbeatable country pubs, why not take a circular walk from the town of Bibury and follow the River Coln through to Coln St Aldwyns and back?
Take in the cottages along Arlington Row in Bibury, arguably the most photographed houses in The Cotswolds, before traversing ancient route ways towards Coln St Aldwynn. A quieter village, this is the perfect stop for food at The New Inn Coln, a beautiful 16th-century coaching inn that’s a local favourite to eat and drink with great cocktails and burgers on the menu.
Plan your circular walk between Bibury and Coln St Aldwynn here.
Grafton Flyford Hairstreak Butterfly trail
The Hairstreak trail will guide you around the beautiful countryside of east Worcestershire, home to the rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly. The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation work together to maintain Grafton Woods, the centre of the only colony of brown hairstreak butterflies in The Cotswolds.
The trail leads you through fields of grazing cattle and sheep towards the woods filled with fine trees and wild flowers that attract many species of butterflies including the Brown Hairstreak butterfly. A perfect combination of nature and rural villages, the trail passes through Himbleton and Earls Common, perfect places to stop for lunch or a refreshment!
Download your leaflet to the Grafton Woods Hairstreak Butterfly trail here.
Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold Circular
Enjoy classic Cotswolds scenery on this 15.1km loop trail, as you make your way through the farmlands between Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
Starting by crossing Greystones Nature Reserve where there are a number of archaeological sites to take in, before heading through the farm fields and passing the River Eye on the way to Stow-on-the-Wold. Here you can enjoy some refreshments, after which the trail continues over the farmlands, passing the equestrian centre and Low Slaughter and returning to the start. There may also be livestock along the paths so please be aware when crossing the fields.
Plan your circular route here.
River Windrush and The Slaughters
This is an amazing 12km trail with green rolling hills, woodland valleys, crystal clear streams and glorious toffee-coloured villages. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas so you can bring your four legged friends on a day out, however there can be livestock on some parts so keep aware.
This trail follows the River Windrush between Bourton-on-the-Water and Naunton, passing through a historic stone dovecote, climbs a wedge of high ground, and descends, through a wooded valley, to the timeless riverside scene at Upper Slaughter which lead on to the old mill and footbridges at Lower Slaughter – one of Gloucestershire's most photogenic locations. There is road-side parking at the trailhead however it can fill up quickly.
Plan your route here, and if you’d like to plan more days out this spring with your dog in-tow, here’s some great pub spots to take them too.
Castle Combe and Nettleton Mill
Enjoy this beautiful 6km route, which begins in the village of Castle Combe which is particularly picturesque, and known as one of the most beautiful villages in England, before you go through an immaculate parkland golf course before joining a beautiful stream-side path that leads you past the former buildings of Nettleton Mill and then crosses an ancient clapper bridge. On the return leg, you will pass through stunning sections of beech woodland, swimming with wild garlic in the spring months.
You will need to negotiate a few footbridges, some steps, gates and kissing gates plus one stile, that has a large gap alongside that should be easy for most dogs to pass through. There is a total of about 1200 metres walking along the edge of quiet country lanes, so take care of traffic on these stretches.
Plan your walk here, and if you’re looking for other gorgeous villages to visit, plan to visit this list here.
Painswick Beacons
Enjoy beautiful Cotswold scenery as you make your way from Painswick, across the farmlands and through the woodland pockets, passing the stunning Rococo Gardens and Painswick Beacon.
There are some lovely views and chances to spot wildlife along the way so take your time along this scenic trail. Although along this 8km hike, there are rougher sections where care is needed as well as stretches of roads where you will need to be aware of vehicles.
Plan your trail here. For some more great places to see wildlife in the Cotswolds, read our guide here.
The Daffodil Way, Dymock Woods, Kempley
Spanning over 500 hectares, Dymock Woods offers a quietly captivating landscape that evolves beautifully with the seasons, though it is in early spring that it truly comes into its own. The woodland floor, orchards and surrounding meadows are brought to life by swathes of wild Daffodils, their vibrant yellow hues creating a striking contrast against the soft greens of new growth, a gentle yet unmistakable sign that Spring has arrived.
This circular walk invites you to explore the peaceful countryside surrounding the village of Dymock, guiding you through a mix of open farmland, orchards and shaded woodland paths within the Forest of Dean. As the season progresses, Bluebells begin to emerge beneath the trees, while Butterflies drift through sunlit clearings, adding to the sense of quiet, natural beauty that defines this route.
Plan your walk here.
Foxholes Nature Reserve, Burford
Set within ancient woodland and managed by the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, Foxholes Nature Reserve offers a quietly enchanting setting for a circular walk. The landscape gently slopes towards the River Evenlode, where dappled light filters through the trees and the changing seasons bring a constant sense of colour and life. It’s a place defined by its stillness, a natural retreat that feels both restorative and timeless.
Just a short drive from the characterful town of Burford, this walk is perfectly suited to those seeking a slower, more immersive experience of The Cotswolds. In spring, the woodland floor comes alive with primroses, violets and early-purple orchids, while by May, a carpet of Bluebells transforms the reserve into a sea of soft colour, a fleeting yet unforgettable display.
Plan your circular route here. And if you’re looking to stop in Burford, find our area guide here.
Chedworth to Chedworth Roman Villa
Tucked within one of The Cotswolds’ most quietly unspoilt villages, this circular walk from Chedworth offers a gentle immersion into both landscape and history. Beginning near the village church, the route unfolds through peaceful countryside, following quiet lanes and footpaths that wind through rolling hills and secluded valleys. Along the way, the sense of stillness is unmistakable, a slower, more reflective pace that feels far removed from everyday life.
The highlight comes with the arrival at Chedworth Roman Villa, one of the grandest examples of Roman Britain, where intricate mosaics, bathhouses and ancient ruins sit within a beautifully sheltered valley. The combination of natural beauty and rich heritage makes this walk particularly rewarding, offering not just scenery but a genuine connection to the past.
Plan your walk into history here.
Bath Skyline Circular
For those drawn to sweeping views and a sense of elevation, this Bath Skyline walk offers a striking contrast between countryside tranquillity and historic cityscape. This circular route climbs gently out of Bath, weaving through woodland, open fields and quiet ridgelines, where glimpses of the city appear framed by rolling hills.
It’s a walk that feels both expansive and intimate, with ever-changing perspectives and plenty of places to pause along the way. Particularly in Spring, when the landscape softens with new growth, the route offers a refreshing balance of nature and heritage, all within easy reach of the city itself.
Plan your circular walk here. And if you decide to pop into Bath here, discover more to do here.
Moreton-in-Marsh & Longborough Circular
Beginning in the charming market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, this circular walk offers a wonderfully varied introduction to The Cotswolds’ rural character. The route leads you out into open countryside, where wide views stretch across gently undulating fields, interspersed with traditional dry stone walls and quiet country lanes.
As you continue towards Longborough, the landscape becomes softer and more pastoral, with a sense of calm that defines this part of The Cotswolds. It’s an easy-going yet incredibly scenic walk, ideal for those looking to experience the region’s quieter beauty at a relaxed pace.
Discover more about this route here.
Heart of England Way, Stow Circular
Centred around the quintessential Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold, this circular walk follows sections of the Heart of England Way through a landscape of rolling hills and timeless countryside. Leaving the historic market square behind, the route quickly opens out into wide, peaceful stretches of farmland and gently winding paths.
It’s a walk that captures the essence of The Cotswolds, unhurried, scenic and quietly captivating. With its combination of classic views and charming starting point, it’s an ideal choice for those wanting to pair a countryside ramble with the character and charm of one of the region’s most beloved towns.
Get a better understanding of the circular walk here.