Cotswold Outdoor Reviews 

2,750
TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

2.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 475 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Many people encountered significant problems with delivery services, frequently reporting delays, non-receipt of items, or next-day delivery promises not being met. Customers also faced considerable frustration with customer service, describing it as unresponsive, unhelpful, and difficult to reach for assistance. Additionally, some consumers received faulty or incorrect products, leading to challenging return processes and unexpected costs. Conversely, a small portion of people felt satisfied with the staff. Reviewers frequently praised the in-store staff for being knowledgeable, friendly, and exceptionally helpful, often providing excellent advice and assistance in finding suitable products.

What people talk about most

Product

Clients share ambiguous opinions on product quality and suitability, with many praising the great selection... See more

Staff

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of staff, frequently praising their knowledge, friendliness, and... See more

Customer service

Consumers find customer service to be ambiguous, with many reviewers expressing extreme dissatisfaction,... See more

Delivery service

Customers consistently note negative experiences with delivery services, frequently reporting significant... See more

Order

Customers had ambiguous experiences with order, with many reporting significant issues with delivery times... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Bought a chair from there earlier today. Customer lift does not go to the top floor, but they did offer to bring things down for me. The three members of staff I encountered were all helpful and fri... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Based on today's experience, disappointing. Two young women too busy chatting to deal with me. I was planning to buy a £70 gift voucher for a 70th birthday but 12 months to spend it was not enough... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

What a shambles and a far cry from the well respected company that Cotswold outdoors used to be. The product I bought is faulty and totally within the warranty period. I supplied all the photos an... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered with next-day delivery promised at checkout. One item was delayed — that happens. What followed doesn't. Four days of broken promises from their own agents, zero proactive contact, and no re... See more


Company details

  1. Activewear Store
  2. Climbing Club
  3. Outdoor Clothing and Equipment Shop

Written by the company

With nearly 50 years of experience, our mission remains to help you enjoy the outdoors. Every piece of advice and kit recommendation is rooted in personal experience – countless walks, daring climbs and stories shared around campfires. We’ve explored new trails, pursued the first light of day and braved the elements. So, count on us to guide your outdoor adventures with people who love the outdoors as much as you.


Contact info

2.7

Poor

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

3K reviews

5-star
4-star
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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 56% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

2.7

All reviews

(2,750)

447 reviews in the last 12 months

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Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My review looks like many here

My review looks like many here. But I want to give people a heads-up (see later) on how to manage the return of faulty boots if you are thinking of asking for a replacement.
This review is like the experience of others becasue my leaking Scarpa boots were returned to the Guildford outlet in March 2026 and now, Mid-May 2026 I am still waiting. Yes, I've made all the phone calls and have been given all the promises to no avail.
In fairness, the Meindl boots I returned a couple of years ago where refunded within a few weeks. As you see, I'm still waiting on the Scarpa boots.
HEADS-UP: Always ask for a refund and then if you buy your next pair from Cotswold, always use your credit card. If you add ten quid to the refund for a more expensive pair as I did and Cotwold manage the refund and purchase all in the one transaction you are NOT buying with the credit card and so have no protection. In my case only your tenner is covered. The larger remainder leaves you at the mercy of Cotswold...

11 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible experience overall

Terrible experience overall. I ordered a new pair of running trainers (at a very good discounted rate) with next day delivery. Not only did the trainers not turn up after 1 week of ordering, it was virtually impossible to contact the customer service team. After multiple dealings with the chatbot, emails and phone calls I finally got through to someone, only to be told that they had no update on my order or its whereabouts. I chose the refund option and will still have to wait 7-10 working days for this to come through!

7 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SHOCKING customer service

SHOCKING customer service. Received a faulty item and was told it would be dealt with within 14 days. Posted back to them (which I had to pay for), 2 months on I am still fighting for answers and any communication as to what is happening. Keep being told it’s being looked into but no updates. Cannot get through on phone lines, emails and call back requests ignored. Phoned back today to escalate my complaint, finally got through and asked to speak to someone who could deal with the complaint and was hung up on by the call handler. Will never shop with them again!

11 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cotswold Outdoor - failure of customer service

Cotswold Outdoor failed to respond in relation to a returned product. I ordered some walking boots online in December 2025. They did not fit well so I generated a return code through their website ("returns made simple") which offered Royal Mail as their preferred courier. The parcel was collected by Royal Mail but, when I did not receive a refund, I contacted Cotswold Outdoor by email twice with all the relevant return details and requested a refund and also spoke to their customer service twice. Both representatives promised to revert but did not and I have heard no further from them. I raised a complaint through PayPal which resulted in a full refund. I will not be purchasing from them again.

11 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No customer service (online store)

UPDATE - Still no response! They are deleting comments on Instagram too.
This is a week after my initial email to enquiries.
After reading these reviews I’m really concerned. I too have sent several emails, an Instagram message and phoned the number for customer service which just is a recorded message with no opportunity to leave a message. I ordered two Patagonia jackets only one arrived in what appeared to be a reassembled packet. The other more expensive £180 jacket was missing - no invoice. I’ve sent photos and complained to DHL too. I’ve never experienced such poor service so have had to resort to posting this review.

9 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We were helped by Paul who spent lots…

We were helped by Paul who spent lots of time with us making sure we got the right boots. He didn’t make us feel rushed and we really appreciated his expertise. There were also two very helpful women who gave us advice about coats but we didn’t get their names. The staff are what makes this such a great shop

9 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered awning for next day delivery…

Ordered awning for next day delivery only to be emailed at 5am to say delay on order. Cotswold knew delay when ordering so why stipulate next day when no intention of fulfilling. Will definitely not order from this company again.

7 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Non-delivery and then ignored

No response to my two emails regarding the non-delivery of a £170 jacket ordered more than two weeks ago. I will now be contacting my bank to initiate a chargeback.

Very disappointing customer service from Cotswold Outdoor. I would strongly suggest reconsidering the use of Evri as a delivery partner.

7 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Thieves and fraudsters

Thieves and fraudsters. Lied to me multiple times and have stopped responding to my emails even though they had said they could resolve my issue if i “just contacted them” when I got shipping information. I am out hundreds of dollars with no items that I ordered and they give zero f**ks. AVOID, DO NOT ORDER FROM THEM.

30 April 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful customer service.. Don't buy from this company!

They have taken my money for what should have been a next day delivery. A week on and I still haven't received my trainers. Despite calling customer services 3 times (with long periods on hold) I am no further on with receiving my purchase. Also £170 out of pocket..do not buy from this company. What a scam!!!

7 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A shirty review of a shirty company

Ordered a Patagonia shirt and paid £6.95 (!) for "next day delivery. The shirt arrived yesterday, 2 weeks later, loose in the postage envelope with no protective Patagonia packaging and no indication that this was in fact a new unused item. No response from customer service. I have never experienced any online service as bad as this. Customer service seems entirely absent or fictitious. Just noticed on here that there are lots of other negative reviews. Avoid avoid avoid.

7 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We had fantastic customer service today…

We had fantastic customer service today from your team in Watford High St. Both Steven and Jessica were so knowledgable, helpful and patient. They did not have to ‘over sell’ or be pushy. They were the perfect balance of good service. We ended up spending over £500 but we are so satisfied with the quality and design of our items. Please make sure to pass on our thanks.

6 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible Communication

06/05/26: Item not dispatched, calls and chat messages unanswered, and non-existent customer service when you finally get through to someone..

An email telling me "We ask that you please bear with us a little longer whilst we try to deliver your order" with no potential dispatch or delivery date, is not helpful.

Update 13/05/26: Item marked as dispatched after 10 days... Yippeee... But wait... Evri has provided a tracking number that 2 days later shows that they haven't been handed the parcel yet. Doubt it's even in the Cotswold Outdoor warehouse yet.. So much for next-day delivery!

Update 14/05/26: attempted to deliver (almost 2 weeks late) today via Royal Mail, unable to deliver as I wasn’t in and tracking wasn’t shared with myself.

My biggest issue with this company is the lack of information that causes mistrust, I really hope this is fed back to management.

6 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Was skeptical at first...

I was skeptical of buying from Cotswold Outdoor when I stumbled across the review on Trustpilot. However, I decided to give them a shot and my experience with them has been amazing.

The delivery was quick and in fact, earlier than the date that was promised to me!

5 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Zero Stars!!!

Bought Meindl boots (£165 in Jan 26) which split in 4 places after 58 days (only 125 miles)
Reported to online "customer service" 25th March and sent them back - have to go to manufacturer apparently
Meant I had to buy another pair to continue walking!!
Their issue but I'm the one losing out here - told no other way despite many photos sent showing the issue - no immediate refund or replacement
Anyway, 5 emails later and zero response from them - I have no idea what's happening - am I getting them back even?
So frustrating that this company can take/steal my money and my boots and not give me the courtesy of even acknowledging receipt of return or progress
I will never use this company again - I advise you not to too.
Does anyone have the email of their CEO?
I've worked in retail 35 years and this is some of the worst service I've heard of
Maybe I'll get a response to this - doubt it

5 May 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Pathetic honesty

Absolutely appalling company. One could be forgiven for thinking this company are just a bunch of crooks!! I have been waiting for my NEXT DAY DELIVERY for over 2 weeks now. Dont bother trying to send them emails because nobody gets back to you, If you are lucky enough that someone answers the phone in their customer service department you will be equally disappointed as they just try to pass the blame onto their delivery company which is Evri, who are just as bad as cotswoldoutdoor. ive sent 8 emails and have had no response at all. Ive spent countless hours on the phone trying to get hold of someone who can help me but i am literally being left in the dark here. I dont know what has happened to this company but going off of the reviews they have been receiving, its nothing good. I will be taking this further and seeking legal advice. You are pathetic.

15 April 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

THIEVES

Instore great. On-line is a major let down. Out of pocket as they have taken my money and now i am without my hiking boots. Evri are saying it's cotswold outdoors fault and cotswold outdoor are saying it's Evri's fault that my order has been lost!!!! I DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR EXCUSES!!! COTSWOLDOUTDOOR ARE THIEVES. AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COST!!!!!

4 May 2026
Unprompted review

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