What to do in an emergency on the Cotswold Way - 999 and 112, NHS 111, how to describe your location, and simple steps to stay contactable on the trail.
In a life-threatening emergency on the trail, call 999 (or 112) and ask for the service you need - ambulance, police, or fire. Stay on the line, say you are on the Cotswold Way if you know your stage or nearest village, and give the clearest location you can. Mobile coverage can drop in valleys and on open hills, so move to higher or more open ground if you cannot get a signal, or ask another walker to call for you.
For non-urgent medical advice in England, call 111 (NHS 111). For non-emergency police matters, call 101. Save these numbers before you set off, and tell someone your planned stages and overnight stops so they know when to expect you.
Build these habits into your packing and navigation plans - see what to pack and our maps page for tools that help you stay oriented and contactable.
