Walking the Cotswold Way - Day 1

First day walking the Cotswold Way with my friend, Chris. After a bumpy start, forgetting my tent, we leave Bath for the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and my word, there were a lot of them! We try and get in as many miles in as we can in half a day, but we manage to find a great camp spot. Watch Day 2 to find out who's garden it was in.

[@pmeow55]

Ive lived in Bath for years and not walked into death and his dog...cool find 😊 Will definitely be following your steps on that route.

[@louispippie]

The start (and end, in my case) is a LARGE circular sign on the floor right in front of the Abbey doors

[@WestGoesEast]

I've recently learnt this. We were almost there!

[@1234Kulin]

Good memories!

[@WestGoesEast]

Good times

[@topcat8891]

Hi I looked you up on strava you have a new follower 😁 looking forward to following you on future trips 👍Another great hiking trip ,this one, you certainly enjoy pushing yourself out there 😁

[@TomJudson]

Hey, Phil! Largely inspired by this series, I’m going out next month to walk the Cotswold Way. (The opposite direction from yours.) Do you have any tips to finding wild camping sites? And, in the same vein, any tips to avoiding pitfalls when looking for those sites? Thanks for your great videos!

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks Tom. My advice is start looking an hour or two before sunset and out the way of site normally eg behind a Bush or in a forest but tbh I don't think anyone will disturb you even if you are in sight... You generally leave pretty early anyway. Its quite good to use Google maps satellite to look ahead to see if there are any wooded areas or fields to pitch up on route. And try to pitch up on flat ground...nothing worse then a wonky nights sleep! Hope that helps! Good luck

[@TomJudson]

That helps a lot, Phil! Thanks for the advice. Will definitely employ Google maps for an overhead view. Good thought. I appreciate the speedy reply. And looking forward to your next adventure.

[@TheHandystanley]

My wife, another couple, and I are flying into Heathrow in September 2023 to hike the Cotswold's. We are staying at lodging each night along the way...hey... we are 68..LOL...any hoot, what size pack would you recommend? Brand?

[@WestGoesEast]

It's a beautiful hike so I'm sure you will love it. Good time of the year to do it too plus staying in lodges is a great way to do it as you wont have to carry so much camping equipment and food. For that reason a regular size rucksack should do the trick. I have to carry more as I have my camping and filming equipment. Mines an OEX but at the end of the day a good comfy bag is all you need. Phoenix bags seem to be popular but I have no experience with those. Enjoy :)

[@HikingWithMartin]

you forgot your tent..... no words man, no words..... 🤣

[@WestGoesEast]

Yeah not my finest moment. But at least I realised sooner rather then later 😂

[@HikingWithMartin]

@@WestGoesEast your face said “I’m taking someone on their first trip and I’ve forgotten my tent” haha going to Enjoy the video after football, all the best

[@WestGoesEast]

Thanks for your message about the Cambridge video... I did see it but I reuploaded the video cos I noticed there was sound in the wrong place! No doubt Martha will join for more trips! 😝

[@HikingWithMartin]

@@WestGoesEast ahhhh i was going to post it again, you two make an entertaining duo for sure. both seem to have matching enthusiasm levels which isnt common and similar energy. good stuff.

[@WestGoesEast]

Ah thanks Martin. Kind of you to say so.

[@jonuk2640]

Great vid, what app did you use to find your way out of bath cheers

[@WestGoesEast]

All trails is a good app. Or check out thewalkingenglishman.com

[@michaelsimpson6404]

Why do you do these walks ? because you cant enjoy them your always trying to do them in the shortest time. try adding a extra days & enjoy the walks plus do some research then you might not take so many wrong turns plus rushing the walk doesn't help.

[@WestGoesEast]

I do enjoy them, very much! Some of the best experiences I have ever had and I have done a lot of things travel wise. They maybe a struggle sometimes but I get a kick out of that and it makes them all the more rewarding. Yes, perhaps taking longer to do them would be a luxury but in the case of the Cotswold Way we had to get to our end point in time to catch our lift home. Logistically they are not always the most convenient. I also have to fit them in between work which means unfortunately most of the time I have to do them fast with little time to research. Getting lost is part of the fun of it for me too! I'm not one for planning and like to live for the moment. It's not in my DNA to settle for just a few miles either therefore I prefer to crack on. One day I may do a slow one..who knows! :)