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Cotswold Hunt
Last day's hunting - Sat. 21st March 2026
Grand National Sweepstake Draw is on Weds. 8th April 2026.
Online tickets available at the link below:
https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/grandnationaldraw
Physical tickets available at each Meet.
The Cotswold Hunt prides itself in the ability of our hounds to hunt a trail.
Laid in a natural way that so closely replicates the more old-fashioned ways of hunting, you wouldn’t know the difference. This provides an exciting day for everyone of all abilities.
The Cotswold Hunt country is mainly within the Cotswold hills and stretches from Cheltenham, in the west, to Northleach in the east and from Toddington, in the north, to Stroud in the south. Records of hunting in this area dates as far back as 1772 - with the first meet of the Cotswold Hunt held on 1st November 1858.
Trail hunting with this historical pack over the beautiful Cotswold hills includes crossing the fabulous estates that host the Team Chase, the Scurry, hunter trials and more. If you’re looking for the thrills and spills of a day’s hedge-hopping or a more gentle day watching hounds and enjoying the Cotswold countryside you will enjoy your day. Rates and flexible ways to pay can be discussed with our Secretaries.
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Contact Joint Secretaries Ellie Isaac Email: eleanor@drdawn.com / Tel: 07500 059007 or Richard Merrett Email: office@cotswoldhunt.co.uk, leaving your name and contact number and they will give you a call.
If you don’t have a horse and want to ride, the Secretaries can provide you with contact details for reputable local hirelings and you may wish to visit -(https://dgequine.com, http://www.cotswoldsriding.co.uk/).
We welcome children always and hold specific Children's Meets throughout the season making it extra fun and enjoyable for them.
If you are a newcomer to trail hunting don’t be nervous about dress code or etiquette, there’s plenty of information on this website and our Secretaries will help with any questions you may have.
If you don’t fancy getting on a horse why not join our Cotswold Hunt Supporters Club. Enjoy the day on foot or in a car. (CHSC Membership)
The hunting community is a unique and warm society who, as well a passion for trail hunting, hounds and the countryside, enjoy a great social life. Many of the social events held throughout the year can be found on this website. (Tickets & Events)
1859 to 1871 Cregoe Colmore Esq
1871 to 1873 Sir Reginald Graham, Bart
1873 to 1885 Capt A Sumner
1885 to 1893 W F Hicks Beach Esq
1893 to 1899 Major E H G do Freville
1899 to 1903 Algernon Rushout Esq
1903 to 1904 E Boyce Podmore Esq
1904 to 1919 Herbert Owen Lord Esq
1919 to 1922 M W Muir Esq (Died 9 Feb 1922)
1922 to 1924 Major L A Jackson
1924 to 1928 Capt T Colville
1928 to 1932 Arthur Mitchell Esq and Vice Admiral Sir Francis Marten, CB, CMG, CVO
1932 to 1934 Capt H A Jaffray and Vice Admiral Sir Francis Marten, CB, CMG, CVO
1934 to 1937 Major L A Jackson and Lt Col C Heber-Percy, DSO, MC
1937 to 1941 Lt Col C Heber-Percy, DSO, MC
1942 to 1946 Hunt Committee
1946 to 1948 The Misses V and M Wilson
1948 to 1952 Capt R E Wallace
1952 to 1959 Sir Hugh Arbuthnot, Bart
1959 to 1964 Sir Hugh Arbuthnot, Bart and Mrs J Brutton
1964 to 1966 R D N Phillips Esq and Mrs J Brutton
1966 to 1967 R D N Phillips Esq, Mrs J Brutton and T H Unwin Esq
1967 to 1968 Capt B R W Bell, Mrs J Brutton and T H Unwin Esq
1968 to 1971 Capt B R W Bell and Mrs J Brutton
1971 to 1974 T H Unwin Esq and Mrs J Brutton
1974 to 1977 T H Unwin Esq and Miss J D Stevens
1977 to 1992 T H Unwin Esq, Miss J D Stevens and Major M T N H Wills
1992 to 1995 T H Unwin Esq and R G Cooper Esq
1995 to 1998 T H Unwin Esq, T W Bailey Esq, J P Bosley Esq, Mrs M C Houghton and Mrs R J Stafford
1998 to 1999 T H Unwin Esq, T W Bailey Esq, Mrs M C Houghton and Mrs R J Stafford
1999 to 2003 R G Cooper Esq and Mrs B A Brickell.
2003 to 2005 R G Cooper Esq, Mrs B A Brickell and Lady Blyth.
2005 to 2006 R G Cooper Esq, Mrs B A Brickell and Mrs S P George.
2006 to 2009 The Hon. Mrs M W Vestey, D B Jones Esq, Miss S J Rooker and Mrs R J Stafford.
2009 to 2010 The Hon. Mrs M W Vestey, Mrs R J Stafford, T Bellamy Esq and J E Chamberlain Esq.
2010 to 2014 The Hon. Mrs M W Vestey, T W Bellamy Esq, J E Chamberlain Esq and Mrs. M A Abbatt.
2014 to 2015 J E Chamberlain Esq, T W Bellamy Esq and C J Adams Esq.
2015 to 2016 J E Chamberlain Esq, T W Bellamy Esq, C J Adams Esq, and Ms J Gwillim-David.
2016 to 2017 Ms J Gwillim-David, T W Bellamy Esq, C J Adams Esq, and Mrs R Bliss.
2017 to 2018 Ms J Gwillim-David, Mrs E Costley-White, Mr D David, Mr R Inglesant, and Dr C Levinson.
2018 to 2021 M R Little Esq, T W Bellamy Esq, Mrs R Bliss, and Dr C Levinson.
2021 to 2023 M R Little Esq, Mrs R Bliss, Dr C Levinson and R Bellamy Esq.
2023 to 2024 The Hon. Mrs M W Vestey, T W Bellamy Esq, Mrs K Charlton, Mrs S de Rouet, and Mrs S Williams.
2024 to 2025 The Hon. Mrs M W Vestey, Mrs K Charlton, J Lomberg-Williams Esq, and Mrs S Williams.
2025 to 2026 Mrs K Charlton, Mrs S Williams, R Gaussen Esq, M R Little Esq.
The Cotswold Hounds, proudly kennelled in Andoversford for over a century, represent a deep-rooted tradition in the heart of the English countryside. This historic farm, nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, provides a home for the hounds, the huntsmen, and generations of supporters.
Although the sport has evolved significantly over the years, the Cotswold Hunt remains an important cultural institution, with the hounds now trained for trail hunting. For trail hunting, an artificial scent is laid across the countryside in advance, allowing the hounds to follow the scent in a way that replicates the thrill and skill of the historic chase, but without involving live quarry. This method preserves the athleticism of the hounds, the horsemanship of the riders, and the community spirit of the hunt, while complying with the Hunting Act of 2004. The continued presence of the Cotswold Hounds in Andoversford represents a lasting commitment of conservation, heritage, and the careful adaptation of country traditions in a modern age.
The Cotswold Hunt prides itself in the ability of our hounds to hunt a trail. Laid in a natural way that so closely replicates the more old-fashioned ways of hunting, you wouldn’t know the difference. This provides an exciting day for everyone of all abilities.
The British Hounds Sports Association Sports Association (BHSA)
The BHSA is the Governing Body of the Cotswold Hunt. They promote and support the welfare and conservation of all hound breeds and the infrastructure of the Hunt which nurture them. As a supporter or subscriber to the Cotswold Hunt we strongly advise you to become members of the BHSA (https://bhsa.org.uk). Before hunting with us, whether mounted, on foot, or on an ATV, please refer to the BHSA website to answer any initial queries.
The Cotswold Country, which is wholly within the County of Gloucestershire and mainly on the Cotswold hills, stretches from Cheltenham in the West to Northleach in the East, and from Toddington in the North to Stroud in the South.
To the North
Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt
To the North East
North Cotswold Hunt
To the East
Heythrop Hunt
To the South East
V.W.H. Hunt
To the South
Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt
To the South West
Berkeley Hunt
To the West
Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt
1. Contact the Secretary - Richard Merrett todiscuss your cap (payment for the day or a subscription) and when you would like to come out.
2. Register – on our website – this gives you the relevant information of where the upcoming Meets are, where to park exactly and you can be informed if there are any last minute changes due to weather etc.
3. Dress code: Be clean, tidy and presentable.
Generally for both sexes for Autumn Hunting and end of seasonhunting (after the Cheltenham Festival), a ‘Ratcatcher’ (tweed jacket) and necktie.
For the Opening Meet and the rest of the season Ladies – a blue hunt coat with buff/beige breeches, long blackboots, black hat, hair in a net and tied up neatly. A silk or white cotton stock to be worn with a stock pin attached horizontally.
Gentleman – Black (or Scarlet if you are a Master or Hunt Staff), hunt coat with black buttons (until Hunt buttons are awarded), buff/beige breeches, long black boots, black hat.
Children – Typically in Ratcatcher (or similar warm tweedcoat if cold!), a checked stock or hunting tie and body protector, beige breeches, boots with or without chaps (if necessary), blue, brown or black hat and dark gloves.
NB. Hunt buttons, and for ladies the green velvet collar, are awarded to subscribers who have made outstanding contributions of help and effort for the Hunt.
4. All subscribers, visitors and family are assumed to have arranged adequate personal insurance (including Third Party Insurance) before coming out with us and understand that both they and their family, who follow the Cotswold Hunt (whether mounted, on foot or by vehicle) do so entirely at their own risk and will have no claim against the Hunt or any officer or Master of the Hunt or any Landowner in the event of an accident, or any damage or loss of property.
5. Horses – An appropriately-bitted bridle, saddle with brown, or black numnah. For hunting, horses’ manes are plaited smartly – with an odd number up the neck and he poll plait making it even. For autumn hunting the mane can be left unplaited.
6. If your horse is prone to kick you MUST wear a red ribbon in the tail and stay towards the back of the Field; it is your responsibility if it kicks out. If your horse is young or new to hunting then a green ribbon must be worn and it must be kept towards the back.
Ideally get to park up early. Our Meets usually start at 10.45am and sometimes you may need to hack to the Meet from your lorry or trailer parking. Try not to obstruct a highway or field gate. On arrival ask who is the Hunt Secretary, and approach them, any questions you may have can be answered. Please enjoy the hospitality of the host at their meet. Familiarise yourself with the Fieldmaster – he / she is incharge! Please do as asked throughout the day, go where requested and stay with the Field. If you need help from other riders who are out that day – they will be happy to guide you
Always face your horse with his head towards Hounds both at the Meet and during a hunting day to avoid kicking a Hound. Stand still and quiet when a Huntsman is casting his Hounds or riding past you. Don’t ride too close to Hounds and be aware if a hound is behind you or others in the Field, let members up ahead know that a Hound is coming through with a ‘Hound Please’ or ‘Hound behind’. Take care when jumping, make sure the way is clear of Hounds both in front and behind the jump.
Listen to instruction when going through a gate or staying in close away from crops or on wet land and pass on instruction where necessary. Always close a gate if you cannot see anyone behind you –there may be livestock or horses in the field and raise an arm to note that the gate needs to be shut if other members of the Field are a way back behind you. When closing a gate please assist the person closing it, do not gallop off leaving them alone. You may need to assist in helping with electric wire or temporary fencing so be ready to dismount if necessary. Please do not gallop up behind sheep or cattle as to drive them to disrupt Hounds. We cross Farmers’ land so we must be respectful at all times. Try to avoid riding on mown grass, verges or unnecessary damage to crops. When on the roads, please thank passing vehicle drivers and those waiting. Smile, say thank you and show good manners when representing the Hunt.Always let vehicles and other road users pass and notify the Fieldmaster if there are vehicles waiting to pass if the Field is on the road.
A hip flask for Dutch courage! Put your favourite tipple in it.
Mobile phone, medical card (if you have any notable medical conditions), food, pen knife, bailer twine and handkerchief.
At all times keep behind the Fieldmaster. If you not jumping ask who you should follow. Do not open a gate next to a jump when people are jumping. Know your horse’s capability, if you are unsure stay toward the back of the Field. If your horse refuses then come out of the way quickly. Be straight into a jump so as to not impede others from the side or take anyone out. If you break or damage a fence or jump please inform the Fieldmaster, Master or Secretary. If someone falls, please stop to help if you can and inform someone to get help or notify a quad bike for assistance.
When you are ready to go home it is traditional to always say ‘Goodnight’ to the Fieldmaster. Make sure you know the way back to the Meet or area where you parked and be sure to cross land that you are allowed to go on. Pat yourself on the back and give your horse a big pat – you survived! You hopefully had immense fun and want to come back again very soon!
