The Cotswold Way is one of many National Trails in Britain. There are many websites about it -- the official one being http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Cotswo...
The area is indeed of outstanding beauty. The path is (almost always) well signposted, although a map and/or a good guidebook are --as always -- a plus. There are many hotels/B&Bs/restaunts/pubs/shops in all the villages, so accommodation, as well as getting meals or provisions, is never a problem. In peak periods and over weekends, however, it is recommended to seek the assistance of the helpful TICs (Tourist Information Centers), who will gladly call around for you until you find an accommodation that fits your tastes (and budget). They are extremely professional and helpful.
It takes about a week to walk the entire 100 miles or so from Chipping Campden to Bath, but it is of course possible to walk just parts of the trail. For example, with only three and a half days (with additional transport time), you could walk about 60% of it as follows:
- Day 1: Fly into Stansted (or any other London airport) in the morning. National Express bus to Oxford, hence train to Moreton-in-Marsh. Try to get a connecting bus to Chipping Campden, but the service is infrequent, so you may have to take a cab. After visiting the village of Chipping Campden, start the walk to Broadway by way of the Broadway Tower. Overnight in Broadway.
- Day 2: Walk from Broadway to Cleeve Hill via Winchcombe (about 8 hours).
- Day 3: Walk from Cleeve Hill to Birdlip. Leave the trail there, walk a couple of miles down the hill to overnight in Little Witcombe.
- Day 4: Return to the trail, on to Painswick and Stroud (a few miles E of the trail itself).
- Day 5: National Express bus from Stroud back to London.
The walk does not require particular skills or equipment, other than a good pair of hiking boots (avoid sneakers or the like, as the path may get quite muddy and slippery). There are services that carry your luggage from one village to the other (for a fee). If you chose to travel light, a hiker's backpack weighing 5 or 6 kilos total (provisions for the day included) will be more than adequate for the hike.
Enjoy!
