Join a 20-year tradition tucked away in the heart of the woods.
Somewhere in Dyrham Wood sits a small message box and book where Cotswold Way walkers leave notes for those who follow. It is one of the trail's quietest traditions - and one of its most personal.
You will find this "hidden gem" in Dyrham Wood, approximately 12 miles north of Bath. The Cotswold Way passes Dyrham village and climbs through the woods on the southern stages of the trail - see Hawkesbury Upton to Tormarton for the nearby stage. Keep an eye out for the box as you walk.
Since its placement about two decades ago, the Dyrham Message Book has allowed walkers to record real-time reflections and personal stories: wet days, shared jokes, hard climbs, and the relief of nearing Bath. Each entry adds another layer to a living archive of the trail.
The Cotswold Way Association occasionally shares recent entries from the book online, so the wider community can read the raw experiences of fellow walkers. You can browse sample pages covering 13 February to 2 March 2023 and 3 to 21 March 2023.
