Castles and countryside

Where

London, Oxford, The Cotswolds, York, Edinburgh

Pace

Full. Five bases in about eight days, with long rail legs; trim a stop if you want slack.

Best season

Late spring to early autumn for the hill walks; some castles reduce hours in winter, so check each one.

Suits

History lovers, Walkers, Photographers

• Step-free access reported at 2 of 17 stops
• No stops marked family-friendly in our guides

Step-free and family flags come only from data we hold (OpenStreetMap contributors or the venue's own access page) and are not a full access check. Contact each venue before you go.

1. Day 1 · London

   London: the Tower

   Overnight: London

   1. 1

      Crown Jewels

      Attraction · The City & Tower

      The Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.

      Show on map
   2. 2

      Leadenhall Market

      Market · The City & Tower

      

      A Victorian market nearby.

      Show on map Our guide to The City & Tower

2. Day 2 · Oxford

   Oxford: castle and colleges

   Overnight: Oxford

   Getting from London to Oxford. By train: under an hour. Chiltern Railways says services from London Marylebone take under an hour. Source: Chiltern Railways, Oxford destination page (opens in new tab).

   1. 3

      Oxford Castle and Prison

      Historic site · Jericho, the Castle and Port Meadow

      

      A historic site in the city.

      Show on map Our guide to Jericho, the Castle and Port Meadow
   2. 4

      Carfax Tower

      Landmark · High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford

      

      A tower in the middle of Oxford.

      Show on map Our guide to High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford
   3. 5

      Magdalen College

      College · High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford

      

      By the river.

      Show on map Our guide to High Street, Magdalen and East Oxford

3. Day 3 · The Cotswolds

   Broadway Tower and Dover's Hill

   Overnight: Chipping Campden or Broadway

   Getting from Oxford to the Cotswolds. By train plus a local bus or taxi. Plan rail plus a bus or taxi, or hire a car. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 6

      Broadway Tower

      Tower · Broadway

      

      A hilltop tower.

      Show on map Our guide to Broadway
   2. 7

      Dover's Hill

      Viewpoint · Chipping Campden

      

      A viewpoint.

      Show on map Our guide to Chipping Campden
   3. 8

      Cotswold Way start

      Walk · Chipping Campden

      

      Start of the Cotswold Way.

      Show on map Our guide to Chipping Campden

4. Day 4 · The Cotswolds

   Cirencester Park

   Overnight: Cirencester

   1. 9

      Cirencester Park

      Park · Cirencester

      

      Parkland walks.

      Show on map Our guide to Cirencester
   2. 10

      Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre

      Roman site · Cirencester

      

      A Roman site.

      Show on map Our guide to Cirencester
   3. 11

      Corinium Museum

      Museum · Cirencester

      

      Roman finds.

      Show on map Our guide to Cirencester

5. Day 5 · York

   York: the castle keep

   Overnight: York

   Getting from the Cotswolds to York. By train plus a local bus or taxi. A long journey with changes: plan on National Rail. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 12

      Clifford's Tower

      Castle keep · Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate

      

      A castle keep.

      Show on map Our guide to Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate
   2. 13

      York Castle Museum

      Museum · Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate

      

      Beside the tower.

      Show on map Our guide to Castle, Fossgate and Walmgate
   3. 14

      Multangular Tower

      Roman tower · Station and Museum Gardens

      

      Roman tower in the Museum Gardens.

      Show on map Our guide to Station and Museum Gardens

6. Day 6 · Edinburgh

   Edinburgh: the castle

   Overnight: Edinburgh

   Getting from York to Edinburgh. By train. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 15

      Edinburgh Castle

      Castle · Old Town & Royal Mile

      

      Book ahead.

      Show on map Our guide to Old Town & Royal Mile
   2. 16

      Arthur's Seat

      Hill · Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

      

      A hill with city views.

      Show on map Our guide to Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill
   3. 17

      Salisbury Crags

      Cliffs · Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

      

      Cliffs below the hill.

      Show on map Our guide to Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

Rail times vary by day and operator, so only times from an official page are shown. Opening hours, prices and tickets change: check each official site. This route is independent and unofficial.