Overview

The Cotswold Way Association (CWA) is dedicated to enhancing accessibility on the Cotswold Way, its circular routes and other major trails of the Cotswolds.  Our goal is to ensure that these beautiful trails can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. This involves:

• Replacing Stiles: Converting stiles to pedestrian gates for easier access.
• Installing Self-Closing Gates: Allowing easy use by child buggies, mobility scooters, and wheelchairs.
• Improving Trail Surfaces: Enhancing trail surfaces for better usability by wheeled vehicles.

To check access conditions at specific locations along the Cotswold Way click HERE.

Accessibility car parks

There are several car parks along the Cotswold Way that accommodate the offloading of mobility vehicles, buggies or wheelchairs. View a list of Accessibility Car Parks on the Cotswold Way

Miles without Stiles

Over the past decade, significant efforts have been made to remove stiles and replace them with gates. As a result, the trail is nearly stile-free, with only a few remaining due to landowner preferences, these are:

• One stile at Penn Hill Farm (north of Weston)
• Two stiles near Grenville Monument, Lansdown
• Three stone stiles just north of Tormarton
• Three stiles south of Horton
• One stile between Kilcott and Hawkesbury Upton.
• Two stiles between Cam Long Down and Uley Bury.
• One stone stile south of Randwick
• One stile between Winchcombe and Hailes Abbey
• Two stiles north of Stanton

Accessibility Trails

We are committed to developing trails specifically for mobility scooters, child buggies, and wheelchairs. Two such routes are already established and more are planned:

Leckhampton Hill Accessibility Trail

• Location:  Edge of the Cotswold Escarpment above Cheltenham.
• Features:  Scenic views across the Severn Valley.
• Funding:  Supported by HF Holidays, CNL, Gloucestershire County Council, and Cheltenham Town Council.
• Access Point:  Hartley Lane Car Park.

Here is a map of the Leckhampton Accessibility Trail

Lansdown Accessibility Trail

• Location:  Starts at Bath Racecourse, extends along the edge of the Cotswold Escarpment at Hanging Hill.
• Features:  Views over Bristol to the Welsh hills.
• Funding:  Supported by CNL, DEFRA, and B&NES Council.
• Access Point:  Bath Racecourse car park.

Here is a map of the Lansdown Accessibilty Trail

Future Accessibility Trails

Plans are underway for additional accessibility trails at:

• Stinchcombe Hill
• Haresfield Beacon
• Dover’s Hill