Issue 55
July to December 2026
The 60th-anniversary celebrations culminate in a major event on August 15th, to which all trail users are invited.
Read moreCotswold Lion is the twice-yearly magazine from Cotswolds National Landscape - browse hiker-focused summaries of past issues covering arts, nature, and walking.
The Cotswold Lion is produced by the Cotswolds National Landscape team twice a year. It covers arts, culture, and history; nature, conservation, and environment; local enterprise; walking and exploring; and seasonal guided walk highlights - useful context for anyone planning or remembering a Cotswold Way journey.
Recent issues range from nature recovery and climate stories to quieter corners of the landscape, film and photography projects, farming, and walking highlights. Past editions have marked milestones such as 50 years of the Cotswold Way and the anniversary of the Cotswolds as a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Browse editions spanning from the late 2000s to the latest release. Where relevant, we include a short summary of content of particular interest to Cotswold Way hikers. Each issue is also available as a free PDF from Cotswolds National Landscape.
July to December 2026
The 60th-anniversary celebrations culminate in a major event on August 15th, to which all trail users are invited.
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January to June 2026
Marking the 60th year of the Cotswolds' designation as an AONB, this issue focuses on "Connecting with the Cotswolds".
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July to December 2025
The magazine catches up with filmmaker Tea Smart, who is documenting the landscape for the upcoming 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2026.
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January to June 2025
For hikers visiting the southern end, this issue highlights bicentenary celebrations for Jane Austen in Bath, noting the city's role as a backdrop for several of her novels.
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July to December 2024
A major development for hikers is the announcement of Defra's Access for All funding, used to remove physical barriers like stiles and narrow gates to make the trail more inclusive.
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July to December 2023
Hikers are introduced to the Bathscape project, which encourages communities to explore the wonderful surroundings of the trail's southern terminus.
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January to June 2023
This issue promotes "fresh air for everyone," with a strong focus on improving trail accessibility for all users.
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July to December 2022
As travel restrictions lifted, the magazine noted a boom in UK holidays and encouraged hikers to continue discovering "hidden gems" on their doorstep.
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January to June 2022
The magazine focuses on Stinchcombe Hill, describing it as a "local treasure" for hikers and exploring the work of wardens in maintaining the routes around Bath.
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July to December 2021
The Cotswold Gateways project is launched, offering hikers marked routes with special discs and downloadable GPX files that start from major trail towns.
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January to June 2021
This issue officially introduces the new name: Cotswolds National Landscape. Because of the ongoing pandemic, hikers are encouraged to use self-guided routes, and the magazine shares personal experiences of walking in...
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July to December 2020
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hikers were asked to follow government "stay-at-home" advice, and all Warden-led guided walks were temporarily suspended.
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January to June 2020
Significant plans were made for the 50th anniversary of the Cotswold Way (1970-2020), including public celebratory walks.
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July to December 2019
The magazine celebrates the "epic qualities" of the landscape, looking at the delicate grasslands and tunnels that hikers encounter along the trail.
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January to June 2019
Hikers are guided on a "Flower Foray" around Cleeve Common, specifically timed to showcase the wildflowers that bloom on the limestone scarp in June.
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July to December 2018
This issue provides information on the dark skies of the region, perfect for hikers who enjoy wild camping or stargazing near landmarks like the Rollright Stones, which received Dark Sky Discovery Site status.
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January to June 2018
Hikers could follow the Hare Trail, featuring moongazing hare sculptures dotted near trail towns to raise funds for the landscape.
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July to December 2017
This issue marks the 10th anniversary of the Cotswold Way achieving official National Trail status.
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Spring to Summer 2017
Outdoor expert Damian Hall reflects on the Cotswolds as England's "walking and exploring capital," emphasizing the trail's role in this designation.
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Autumn to Winter 2016/2017
This issue focuses on the "Bird's Eye View" of the landscape, offering hikers a different perspective on the terrain they traverse.
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Spring to Summer 2016
To mark the 50th anniversary of the AONB, the magazine features Painswick on its cover, identifying it as the charming mill town that serves as the halfway mark of the trail.
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Spring to Summer 2015
The "Save our Magnificent Meadows" project highlights the vanishing wildflower grasslands that are a hallmark of the Cotswold scarp.
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Autumn to Winter 2014/2015
Local journalist Damian Hall introduces a new walking guide featuring 30 circular hill and valley trails, 14 of which include sections of the Cotswold Way.
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Spring to Summer 2013
A landmark addition for "End-to-Enders" is the Cotswold Way Bath Marker, a large hand-carved limestone disc set into the pavement outside Bath Abbey to mark the southern terminus.
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Autumn to Winter 2012/2013
Hikers can enjoy the "On the Way" series, which features a moderate 5-to-7-mile walk starting at the Hailes Abbey car park, a significant historical site on the trail.
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Spring to Summer 2012
Attention is given to the northern terminus of Chipping Campden, a town famous for its "glorious eccentricity" and the home of the Cotswold Olimpicks.
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Autumn to Winter 2011/2012
The magazine distinguishes between the "western" character of the trail - visiting remote outlying hills like Cleeve Common - and the "eastern" heartland of hidden valleys and ancient manor houses.
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Spring to Summer 2011
A significant focus is placed on accessibility, with ongoing efforts to ensure the trail and surrounding landscape are easier for people with limited mobility to navigate.
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Autumn to Winter 2010/2011
This issue celebrates the 40th birthday of the Cotswold Way, which was officially designated in May 1970.
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Autumn to Winter 2009/2010
A major initiative was launched to create short circular walks (4 to 6 miles) designed to let hikers experience the 102-mile trail in manageable "bite-size" chunks.
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Spring to Summer 2009
Hikers should be aware of the "Wool, Paper and Silk" route, which utilizes a significant segment of the Cotswold Way to return to Winchcombe after ascending the scarp via Breakheart Plantation.
Read moreYou can also browse the full digital archive on the Cotswolds National Landscape Cotswold Lion page.
Cotswolds National Landscape also offers a newsletter with quarterly updates. For trail-focused community programmes on this site, see Community and expert guidance or return to the Community hub.
