My Cotswold Way Packing List (And What I’d Do Differently)

**Note: This post was originally published on 16 May 2026, the day I departed for my walk on the Cotswold Way and it reflected everything I packed and what I considered essential. Now that I have actually completed the walk, I have updated the post to detail my experience and what I actually used…and didn’t use.**

If you’re planning to walk the Cotswold Way, one of the biggest questions is usually: what should you pack?

And honestly? The answer depends a lot on how you’re walking it and your own preferences.

Some people hike the Cotswold Way carrying everything they own on their backs in a tiny ultralight pack. I deeply respect those people…I am simply not one of them.

In May 2026, I walked the Cotswold Way using a luggage transfer service, which means I only need to carry a daypack while walking each day. That gave me much more flexibility to prioritize comfort, recovery, weather flexibility, and a few non-hiking outfits for my time in London and Bath before and after the trail.

After walking the Camino de Santiago a few years ago, I learned very quickly that long-distance walking is about much more than just “surviving” with the lightest possible bag. Recovery matters. Foot care matters. Dry socks matter. And personally, I also like feeling at least slightly like myself at the end of the day—not just a muddy hiking goblin surviving entirely on trail mix and caffeine.

This Cotswold Way packing list is specifically for:

• spring weather in England (I walked in May)
• walkers using luggage transfer
• people who want comfort
• and anyone who wants realistic advice from someone who’s learned a few lessons the hard way on previous long-distance walks

Two Notes About My Experience

Two things happened to me during my walk that greatly affected my thoughts on a packing list:

• My luggage was lost for six days (!), including the first four days of walking
• England experienced a heat wave (Several days ended up being hotter than anything I had experienced in Italy that spring, which is not what I expected when packing for England!)

More on both of those throughout the post.

What Losing My Luggage Taught Me

I certainly wouldn’t recommend losing your luggage as a packing strategy, but it was an unexpected experiment.

For the first several days, I had access to only a fraction of what I had carefully packed. Some items suddenly felt absolutely essential. Others turned out not to matter nearly as much as I thought they would.

And I was actually pretty lucky with what I did have on/with me. However, losing my luggage did teach me something valuable: most of us pack far more than we actually need.

When my suitcase disappeared, I quickly learned which items truly mattered:

• Comfortable shoes
• A few changes of clothes
• Toiletries
• Phone charger
• Navigation tools (which really was just my phone)

Everything else was either replaceable or less important than I had imagined.

As a result, this isn’t just a Cotswold Way packing list—it’s a post-mortem of what actually mattered after walking more than 100 miles.

My Packing Philosophy for the Cotswolds Way

As you may have guessed, I am not an ultralight hiking expert. There are people that can fit everything they need into a tiny backpack and survive with three shirts and one pair of socks, but I know I want more, I want:

• comfort
• recovery
• organization
• weather flexibility
• and having a few non-hiking outfits for city days

I also know from experience that little comforts can make a huge difference mentally after walking 10+ miles a day.

So yes, I packed extra socks.
Yes, I packed tea and cookies.
And yes, I packed a travel kettle.

No regrets.

What the Weather Is Like on the Cotswolds Way in May

Packing for the Cotswolds Way in May can be a little tricky because spring weather in England is…unpredictable at best.

From everything I’ve researched—and from friends who’ve walked sections of the trail—you need to prepare for:

• chilly mornings
• rain showers
• muddy trails
• occasional warm sunny afternoons
• and rapidly changing weather throughout the day

That’s a huge reason why I prioritized layers and waterproof gear in my Cotswold Way packing list.

I’d personally rather carry an extra layer I don’t end up needing than spend eight hours cold, wet, and regretting my life choices somewhere in the English countryside.

As mentioned, I ended up walking during an unusual heat wave, with temperatures climbing above 90°F (32°C) on several days. Some items that seemed optional during planning became incredibly important on the trail and it was reminder that I’m glad I prepared for it all and I actually wished I had packed more for warm weather days.

The 11 Things I Actually Used

When I first posted this, there were 10 things I said were essential, but I’ve added one more and put them in “order of priority” for me.

1. Body Wipes

There is something soooo satisfying about wiping off your feet, face, and arms in the middle of a long walk.

Whether you’re sweaty, muddy, overheated, or just feeling gross, body wipes are one of those small luxuries that can instantly improve your mood. I especially loved using them before stopping at a pub or café during the day or taking a break and cooling off my feet.

2. Portable Charger

I hadn’t originally included this one on my list because it’s one of my everyday travel essentials, so I hadn’t specifically thought of it for the walk…but I quickly learned it was a Cotswold Way essential.

Using the GPS to navigate, taking lots of pictures and videos, checking accommodation details, looking up restaurants, and listening to audiobooks/music while walking drains the battery on your phone pretty quickly, so I found myself needing my portable charger about halfway through the day each day.

I especially love this one because it has the cords already built in and can charge multiple items at once.

3. Oofos Recovery Sandals

After a full day of walking, there is almost nothing better than taking off your hiking shoes and slipping into recovery sandals.

I absolutely loved these on the Camino (shout-out to my friend Mandy for introducing me to them), and they were one of the first things I packed for the Cotswolds Way. They give my feet a break, help reduce soreness, and are also comfortable enough to wear around hotels, pubs, or even around town in the evenings.

If you’re debating whether recovery shoes are worth the luggage space, my answer is 100% yes. (They also come in a sliders version, but that’s just not my style.)

4. Two Different Pairs Of Walking Shoes

One of the best lessons I learned from walking the Camino is that rotating shoes can genuinely help reduce foot fatigue and prevent blisters.

For the Cotswold Way, I brought:

• one pair of New Balance Fresh Foam Running Shoes
• and one pair of Brooks Glycerins

Even changing pressure points slightly from one day to the next can make a huge difference during a multi-day walk.

That point was reinforced when I spent those first four days of hiking all in the same pair of shoes (and socks)—it really would have been much more comfortable to have another pair to switch out to.

I will also remind you to never wear brand-new shoes on a trip like this. Every pair should have already been broken in properly. (This is also why I didn’t buy new things even though my luggage was missing so long and I could have been reimbursed.)

5. Colorful Scarves, Bandeaus, and Head Wraps

This might sound silly, but my scarf became a bit of a talisman on the Camino. It added color to my outfits, kept me warm, wiped sweat, worked as a pillow on buses, and somehow just made me feel more like myself while traveling.

This walk on the Cotswold Way proved that the scarf was also helpful for keeping gnats at bay, protecting my shoulders from the rub of my daypack, and as a little cover-up when the sun was out.

I also brought bandeaus and head wraps because my hair tends to become increasingly wild and unruly in wind, rain, humidity, and long walking days. (Especially when I’m not traveling with MY hairdryer or full array of hair products). But I honestly didn’t use these as much as I thought I would.

6. A Good Travel Raincoat

England weather is unpredictable even in May, so a reliable raincoat felt like an essential part of any Cotswold Way packing list.

But to be honest: I never used it. Mostly because it only rained on the days that my luggage was missing and I didn’t have it with me—otherwise, it would have been very useful.

I wanted something lightweight and packable, but still genuinely waterproof—not one of those jackets that gives up after five minutes of drizzle, so this was the perfect choice.

7. A Foot Roller

This tiny little item makes such a difference.

Rolling out your feet for even five minutes at the end of the day can feel incredible after long miles, especially if you’re dealing with tight arches or tired muscles. It’s lightweight, easy to pack, and has become part of my evening recovery routine. (I even use this a lot at home after a long day’s work in dress shoes.)

8. IcyHot and Blister Kits

Knock on wood, I somehow made it through the Camino without major blister issues, but I still refuse to walk long distances without a blister kit.

I also always pack IcyHot or similar muscle relief products for sore calves, knees, and feet. It’s one of those things you may not need every day—but when you do need it, you’ll be very glad you packed it. And I did end up using it once—on my shoulders!

9. Packing Cubes (Or Your Own Version of Them)

Since I slept somewhere different almost every night, organization became incredibly important.

I use my own version of packing cubes (I’ve had them so long, I can’t even find them online anymore) to separate:

• walking clothes
• evening clothes
• pajamas
• electronics
• toiletries
• and dirty laundry

Being able to quickly find things without exploding your suitcase across a tiny hotel room every evening is a huge quality-of-life improvement.

I haven’t fully invested in a packing cube set, but the ones I have are from Natural Life and it looks like they’ve upgraded to true packing cubes and they’re beautiful!

10. A Travel Yoga Mat

Stretching matters. A lot. (Especially as you get older…)

After doing the Camino, I realized recovery is just as important as the walking itself. I like having a travel yoga mat so I can stretch at the end of the day without lying directly on questionable hotel carpets or hard floors. I wish it had a little more padding, but it still helps because even 10–15 minutes of stretching can make a huge difference the next morning and it doesn’t take up too much space in my suitcase.

I also didn’t use this as much as I originally thought I would, but it certainly would have been nice those first few days when I was doing yoga on those questionable hotel carpets where I just tried not to think about it.

11. Hiking Sandals

My brother absolutely makes fun of me for these and I do not care.

Hiking sandals can be wonderful on warmer days and also give your feet a break from enclosed shoes. I especially like having the option if my feet are swollen or tired. These are classic Tevas–I’ve actually had them for years and probably should upgrade sometime soon.

I definitely wore them, but only in the evenings and never actually on the walk itself because the terrain was just too unpredictable and I was too afraid of stinging nettles!

My Full Cotswolds Way Packing List

Here is what I ended up packing for the whole thing:

Clothing

• 3 hiking pants (including one fleece-lined pair)
• 3 long-sleeved hiking shirts
• 3 short-sleeved shirts/tank tops
• 10 pairs of socks
• 15 pairs of underwear (you can never have too many)
• 4 sports bras
• 1 sweatshirt
• 1 zip-up sweatshirt/jacket
• 2 post-walk outfits (including jeans and a dress)
• 3 sets of pajamas
• swimsuit (for my spa visit in Bath!)
• hat
• colorful scarf, bandeaus, and head wraps

Shoes

• 2 pairs of walking sneakers
• hiking sandals
• Oofos recovery sandals

Recovery & Health

• foot roller
• travel yoga mat
• IcyHot
• blister kit
• body wipes
• travel first aid kit
• sunscreen
• bug spray
• electrolyte packets

Tech

• laptop
• mini iPad
• phone
• Powerbeats earphones
• all chargers and cables, including my all-important portable charger

Trail & Daypack Gear

• hydration backpack with water bottle/bladder
• snacks
• tea bags
• cookies
• Slim Jims
• journal

Toiletries & Miscellaneous

• regular toiletries bag
• travel electric kettle
• packing cubes/organization bags
• umbrella

What I Never Used

There were three things I brought that I truly never used and wouldn’t pack again.

Umbrella

This was a bit of a last-minute grab as I was walking out the door, but I convinced myself I should have one just in case. And although it was one of the things I did actually have with me during those first few rainy days without my actual luggage, I still never used it. It just wasn’t practical and a lightweight waterproof jacket would have been more than enough for the occasional rain showers I encountered.

Extra Sweatshirt

I packed an extra sweatshirt as I thought I’d be looking for something warm and cozy in the evenings, but instead I was trying to figure out how to deal with the uncomfortable heat. But, even if there hadn’t been a heat wave, I think I would have been fine with just my zip-up fleece.

I also never used my fleece-lined hiking pants or shirt, but, I probably would have if I’d had them those first couple of days.

Electric Tea Kettle

I packed my travel kettle because I use it constantly while traveling (I love a cup of tea at night and these Korean coffee sticks are perfect for traveling). Then I arrived in England and remembered that every hotel room already comes equipped with a kettle. So I carried mine across two countries for absolutely no reason.

What I Wish I’d Packed

I actually thought I did pretty well with my packing considering the curveballs my trip ended up taking, but there were two things I wish I’d packed (one was a big one):

Trekking Poles

If I walk the Cotswold Way again, trekking poles won’t be optional—they’ll be one of the first things I pack.

This is the biggest change between my pre-trip packing list and my post-trip packing list. Before the walk, I deliberately left my trekking poles at home. I thought the Cotswolds were mostly gentle rolling hills and assumed I wouldn’t need them.

I was wrong.

Related: See my post on Cotswold Way Difficulty

After several days of steep climbs, descents, mud, and tired legs, another walker let me borrow a trekking pole for part of a day. Within minutes, I understood why so many hikers swear by them.

If I walk the Cotswold Way again, trekking poles will absolutely be coming with me.

More Warm-Weather Evening Clothes

I knew I would want to change out of my hiking clothes for the evenings, so I packed one pair of jeans and one dress for those evenings, but with the heat wave, there was no way I was putting on jeans for the evenings, so I ended up wearing the same dress almost every night.

My hiking clothes worked perfectly well during the day, but I found myself wishing I had packed a few more lightweight options for evenings in pubs, restaurants, and hotel gardens.

My Daypack Setup for the Cotswolds Way

Since my larger luggage was transferred between accommodations each day, I carried only a lightweight daypack while walking. For me, that setup felt like the best balance between practicality and enjoyment.

My daypack included:

• water
• snacks (protein cookies and Slim Jims)
• rain jacket
• body wipes
• blister supplies
• sunscreen
• valuables/electronics (and that portable charger!)
• and a few emergency medications

Why I Think Luggage Transfer Is Worth It

Some people love carrying everything they own on their backs for an entire trip. I support them emotionally from afar.

For me, paying for luggage transfer means:

• less stress on my body
• less worry about weight
• more flexibility with clothing
• and a more enjoyable experience overall

Especially because this trip also includes time in London and Bath, I wanted the freedom to bring a few nicer outfits and comfort items without worrying about carrying them 100+ miles myself.

I used Carryabag for this walk–it’s about 10 pounds a transfer and it was totally worth it. They were easy to book, responsive, and super supportive through my lost luggage fiasco.

My Biggest Packing Advice

If I could give future Cotswold Way walkers just three packing tips, they would be:

1. Train With Your Gear

Don’t wait until the trail to discover that your shoes rub, your backpack bounces, your rain jacket isn’t comfortable, or you don’t know how to carry your poles. (As mentioned, this was why I didn’t buy new clothes when my luggage was lost—I didn’t want to be trying new things!)

2. Pack for a Range of Weather

England can be unpredictable. Prepare for rain, but don’t assume cold weather is guaranteed.

3. Don’t Overpack

The Cotswold Way is challenging enough without carrying unnecessary weight or worrying about dozens of “just in case” items. Easier said than done, but bring what you need and leave the rest at home.

Final Thoughts

Long-distance walks are funny because you start out obsessing over gear, weight limits, weather forecasts, and whether you packed enough socks. But somewhere along the way, it becomes less about the stuff and more about the routines and rituals that help you keep going day after day.

For me, that meant:

• recovery sandals after long miles
• tea before bed
• stretching sore legs every evening
• rotating shoes to keep my feet happy
• and allowing myself a few small comforts that make the experience feel joyful instead of miserable

Overall, I was happy with most of my packing decisions.

The items that worked well worked really well.

The items I wish I had brought taught me useful lessons.

And, of course, losing my luggage reminded me that we often need far less than we think.

If I walk the Cotswold way again, my packing list would look very similar—but there would definitely be a pair of trekking poles attached to it!

More Cotswold Way Resources

If you’re planning your own Cotswold Way walk, these guides dive deeper into the topics I only touched on here:

• Walking the Cotswold Way: My Overall Guide

Planning & Preparation

• What is the Real Cotswold Way Difficulty? My Honest Experience After 102 Miles
• How I Trained for the Cotswold Way (And What I Would Do Differently)
• What I Packed for the Cotswold Way
• What the Cotswold Way Cost Me
• The Best Cotswold Way Apps, Maps, and Navigation Tools

Itinerary & Logistics

• My Cotswold Way Itinerary: Day-by-Day Breakdown
• Where I Stayed on the Cotswold Way
• Walking the Cotswold Way Solo

Food, Inspiration & Lessons Learned

• 16 Cotswold Way Tips I Wish I Knew Before Walking
• Food and Drink on the Cotswold Way
• Books and Movies to Read Before Walking the Cotswold Way

No matter where you are in the planning process, I hope these guides help make your own Cotswold Way adventure a little easier—and maybe convince you that those “rolling hills” deserve a healthy amount of respect! (And if I haven’t answered your question in one of the above posts, feel free to drop me a line with your specific question; I’m happy to share my experience!)