Walking the Cotswold Way

Enjoying the English Countryside on a Budget

When you think of the UK, one of the first scenes that likely pops into your mind is the wonderful rolling hills of jolly old England. The patchwork of crops and greenery are such a part of the British identity that they have been featured on billboards, biscuit tins, and even in ads to sell war bonds during World War II.

One of the most beautiful places for such scenery is an area known as the Cotswold – a region of England set about 2 hours SW by train from the hustle and bustle of London. Famous for its traditional thatch-roofed stone houses and quaint little towns, the Cotswold exemplifies all that is beautiful in rural England.

The best way to experience this magical place is by walking it, and the best trail to walk it is the Cotswold Way, a national trail that stretches from the charming town of Chipping Campden to the former Roman City of Bath.

Check out the video below from the good people at Walker Creative to get a great overview of the Way.

Discover England’s Great Walking Trails – The Cotswold Way – YouTube

Looks amazing doesn’t it?

If you are into walking, then there is no better way to do such a trip then in the UK. However, as most people know, England can be an expensive place, especially when everything is in British Pounds. But, never fear, after having down such a trip myself, I wanted to give you some helpful tips on how you can enjoy the Cotswold Way without hurting your pocketbook too much.

Many of these tips are not specific to the Cotswold Way, and can in fact be used for other trips, especially international ones.

Below, I’ve broken up the tips into the 3 main phases of any travel: Before, During, and After.

BEFORE you go on your trip, it’s a good idea to plan things out, especially if you want to save money.

Planning the best time to is important. For my Cotswold trip, I chose a time when no major festivals or events were going on, that way things are less likely to be booked up and are often cheaper.

Once I planned out my UK trip, I searched numerous airlines, flight paths, and times to optimize the best time to go. It takes time, but it’s worth it.

From there, I thought about what I absolutely needed to pack, especially considering this would be a walking trip. I not only wanted to save money and time by not having to check in a bag, but knew I would literally carrying everything I needed on my back. The less I had to carry, the easier it would be physically. If my back was too heavy, then I would be forced to pay for an expensive service to have my bag carried forward by a company and walk without it.

DURING my trip to the Cotswold, I knew I had to save money wherever I could. One of the best ways to do this, was to buy food on the cheap. No site was more fortuitous then a bright red Tesco sign. For those not in the know, Tesco is the major grocery store brands (basically the Walmart of the UK).

Here you could get a great lunch deal – a sandwich, plus a drink, and a snack for only a few pounds. It wasn’t the best quality mind you, but it filled you up and ensured you weren’t paying an arm and a leg like at a sit-down restaurant.

Another great way to save money during a trip is to stay at reasonably priced accommodations. One of the best options for this in the UK is by staying at a pub. Many rural pubs, like in the Cotswold, would have rooms you can book and are nicely priced. Nothing fancy, but you had a place to lay your head, and you could also eat relatively cheap at the pub as well. Try not to drink too much though, that can add up!

AFTER the walking was done and I had completed the Cotswold Way. I still wasn’t done trying to save money. My flight out of London was coordinated so that when I was done the walk, I could grab a train to London, and catch the flight home without paying for an extra night’s stay. Sometimes, timing is the best way to save money.

When I got back home, I thought about my trip, looked at my budget and was happy to see I spent less then I had planned. Thanks to all my efforts, I could use the money I saved up for my next big trip. So, I tucked away my remaining Pounds for another day.

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