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Looking for a walk? Here are a whole host of circular walks provided by Stroud District Council. There are some real crackers in here, not in terms of length, some are only a few miles.....
"Here's a list of some of our favourite circular walks to give you some inspiration on where to go. Please note that these documents are awaiting revision and that some features may now be absent. We advise that these walks are undertaken in conjunction with maps 168 and 179 of the Ordnance Survey Explorer Map series."
NB: to be a little confusing some are NOT circular (Daneway to Stonehouse along the Golden Valley being one)
Providing quality electric bike rental and tours of the Cotswolds. Cycling the lanes and trails (inc 2 Sustrans routes) around the Heart of the Cotswolds is made a whole lot easier with ebike hire and delivery to your accommodation. The best way to explore this beautiful part of the world. Slow enough to take in the sights and sounds yet fast enough to cover some serious ground.
Abbey Home Farm, Cirencester, GL7 5HF
The mission: “The preservation, maintenance in good order and improvement of canals, navigable rivers and inland waterways for the use of the public” with the objective to restore the canals from Saul Junction at the western end to Lechlade in the east so linking the two great rivers of Thames and Severn. This will provide navigable links to the wider UK canal network”.
You can volunteer, donate, support, take a boat ride or just walk, jog or cycle the tow path and marvel in the engineering, countryside and beauty of the route.
There are lots of videos about the canal, try this one from 2015. What's interesting is how much work has been done since then.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSPUZTgjxhU&feature=emb_rel_end
Wallbridge Lock, Stroud, GL5 3JS
With 102 miles of magical walking, long distance views from the Cotswold escarpment, journeys through picturesque villages and past famous ancient sites.
Passing through the Stroud Valleys, up the escarpment or along the Edge, it's ideal for a gentle stroll or a longer hike. Just follow the yellow markers.....
Mountain biking in the Cotswolds, it's as simple and dramatic as that! Based on the Cotswold Edge, Tim will guide you along some of the best wild trails around without having to go "into the wilds". Build this mtb cycling adventure into your weekend or holiday, you might even rent an e-mountain bike too.
Ham Lane, Coaley, GL115AS
This iconic group of trees, planted in 1888 overlooks Wotton-under-Edge and is on the Cotswold Way. There are far-reaching views across the Severn Bridges and Wales, and even the distant Brecon Beacons on a clear day.
Leave the car in Wotton and follow the Cotswold Way signs for a rewarding walk up the edge (or drive up Old London Road and park at the top (where the road widens) then it's an almost flat walk. Take the flat path into the woods, turn left either just inside the field (it's very easy to spot), or go a little further and go left along the woodland path. They both meet a kissing gate. Pass through and drink in the view.....
Click on the QR code for more Wotton Walks....
Extend the walk to Brackenbury Ditches and all the way to Tyndale Monument on Nibley Knoll. It's 126 steps up the tower for a rare 360 degrees bird's eye view.
See the Video on youtube for a" reverse" of this route with music by the Hypthetics, a local band. It's the intro to their first single, "What do you see?".
Old London Road, Wotton Under Edge, GL12 7PS
Opened in the 1860’s as a freight line to shift goods being produced in the Nailsworth Valley such as cloth, timber, dyes, arms and ammunition to name but a few. It was abandoned in the 1960’s.
The route from Nailsworth begins in a lovely wooded valley and follows the delightful Nailsworth stream, it makes a very pleasant easy walk or cycle. It links Nailsworth, Stroud and Stonehouse and is part of Sustrans route 45. A good place to start is the ex goods yard, now the car park for Egypt Mill hotel.
You can join it all along it's route of course, but in the Centre of Stroud it starts just South West of the "double roundabouts" or via a tunnel on the other side of the Sainsburys roundabout, near the Cotswold Way.
Stroud Rd, Nailsworth, GL6 0AE
This 4 mile walk, graded Easy apparently and which can be extended, explores the picturesque village of Painswick, the breathtaking Painswick Beacon and the charming Painswick Valley. Country paths, lush fields and enchanting valleys and woodland. It follows parts of both the Cotswold Way and the Wysis Way during this circular walk. Stunning.
Start at Stamages Lane car park, Painswick
Stamages Lane car park, Painswick, GL6 6UZ
Also known as the Ship Graveyard. Ships, barges and other craft were sunk on the river bank between the Severn and the Ship canal between 1909 and 1965 to protect the shipping route to Gloucester. Now an important historical site and an easy flat walk, though beware going in poor weather and the trail can get muddy.
Please don't try to park over the bridge, there isn't room and it's not fair on those who live here. Please use the Purton Car Park (the postcode will take you to it) and then walk over the bridge and turn left to the Hulks.
It can be a there and back walk or perhaps a loop too. Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL14
Purton, BERKELEY, GL13 9HS
Sat 14 May 2022
January 2022 update: the trail is here again in 2022. Click through to the web site for for lots of information. 14th / 15th and 21st / 22nd May and 18th / 26th June 2022.
Select Arts is a Gloucestershire based arts organisation. They support local and national artists in curated and artist-led exhibitions, events, talks, and educational opportunities. They work to raise the artist’s profiles and support their creative journey. with a successful annual Select Trail Open Studios and Select Festival annually.
Walk in the footsteps of Cider with Rosie (which we recommend) author, Laurie Lee, as you explore the glorious, tranquil & hidden Slad valley. The Laurie Lee Wildlife Way is a beautiful 5-mile walking route, Countryfile Walk from 2018, or / and stop for lunch at much-loved The Woolpack Inn.
The Woolpack Inn, Slad, GL67QA
Rated Moderate this is a charming 11km walk in and around an area often overlooked. Delightful village, wooded valleys, hidden canal and 2 cracking pubs (The Bell is foody and snug, The Daneway, older in character and good pub grub).
You can extend it by diverting from the Daneway up to mouth of the Sapperton Tunnel.... spooky, hidden and mysterious (perhaps overplaying it a bit, but a fab echo if you like that sort of thing.) Head East along the canal path by the bridge and you'll find it.
OR stay on the canal path and head further West towards Chalford, grab a cuppa at the Lavender Bakehouse and then double back to the route.
Sapperton Church, GL7 6LQ
Walking from the village: To get to the top of this ancient fort from the village, walk from beside the pub on the main road through Uley. Cross the road and take the narrow footpath to the right of the church. Fork right before the first house and follow the path up towards the kissing gate. Enter the field and head for the edge of the woods to pick up the path towards the gate at the top. Enter the woods and continue straight uphill along the higher path to emerge at the foot of Uley Bury.
By car: drive north out of uley and as the road climbs it passes through woodland. When it opens out again there is parking on the left and an easy pedestrian entrance onto Uley Bury.
Uley Bury is the long and impressive flat-topped Iron Age hill fort dating from around 300 B.C. It commands spectacular views from the Cotswold escarpment over the Severn Vale.
The fort’s double line of ramparts are more than a mile in length overall. Aerial photography has revealed extensive crop marks suggesting that there were once numerous dwellings in the interior of the hill fort. The walk around its ramparts is flat, through woodland rich in Ash, Beech and Oak, carpeted with calcareous grasses and wild flowers.
It was locally once known as the "maiden" hill, since it was said never to have been captured and indeed so steep is the hill it is hard to imagine it being taken unless by surprise at the narrow neck that unites it with high land to the east. Another interpretation is that the name 'maiden' comes from Celtic words for 'great hill'. Occupation seems to have ceased from 100 AD, by which time the Romans had conquered all of England.
Uley, GL11 5TL
The arboretum is home to 2,500 different species from the far corners of the globe and 5 national tree collections. Discover the perfect place for you to escape, relax or have an adventure! Take a journey up into the canopy on the STIHL Tree Top Walkway, go on a guided walk around the arboretum and stop by the café for a tasty treat.
Westonbirt, Tetbury, GL8 8QS
Just off the B4066 near Nympsfield and Coaley Peak.
Discover a "moderate" 3.5 mile woodland trail through the secluded valley of Woodchester Park. It's home to the remains of an 18th- and 19th-century landscape park, a Victorian mansion, a chain of five lakes fringed by woodland and pasture, and an abundance of wildlife.
Take a picnic, though the Mansion cafe may be open, or book a tour of the Mansion as we... See their listing here too.
Woodchester Park car park, grid ref: SO797012
A biannual weekend of wonderful Spring gardens including nationally significant local gardens not usually open to the public. Several open artists studios are incorporated in the programme as well as garden sculpture. Refreshments available.
The Chipping, Wotton under Edge, GL12 7AD
A group of young adults from Wotton-under-Edge and its surrounding villages working closely with the Wotton Chamber of Trade to help the local economy. The project celebrates the unique ecosystem of Wotton.
"We've installed a set of beautiful waymarker posts in our local woodlands to show you the natural beauty of our home". Using a mobile phone, all ages can learn the creative story about our town and the landscape it sits in.
Chipping Car Park, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7BD
Whether you are road riding, cycling with a group for fun, using the Sustran Trails, using a guide or self guiding, there is a lot of cycling and mountain biking around here.
Head out into the Severn Vale on your road bike or tackle the hills and lanes of the Edge. Explore the woodland, meadow and trails on a mountain bike for a trails that are great for beginners and still testing for the experienced.
Try our local trail centre, Flyup417 or book a half day with Tim of Cotswold Mountain Biking.