Walks

Cheltenham and the surrounding areas have an abundance of walks for those seeking a gentle stroll or wanting to take on the Cotswold Way. Below are a few local walks that the immediate area.

Cleeve Hill is one of many that overlooks Cheltenham and probably one of the most well known being the backdrop to the Cheltenham Racecourse. The hill is not only a favourite for walkers with several routes that you can follow, it also hosts an 18 hole golf course with some spectacular views. Our recommendation should you wish to explore is to park at Cleeve Hill Common car park (Southam, Cheltenham GL52 3NF) as it is free to park here and the Pylons are a good reference point to head back to.  There is the Golf Course Car Park and the Quarry Car Park you can use also however these are chargeable or you can purchase something from the café/shop to validate your parking. 

Pittville Park located on the outskirts of the town centre this park is a lovely place for a weekday or weekend stroll.  There are 4 cafes/ coffee shops dotted around the park offering hot drinks, homemade baked goods and ice cream. Be sure to head to the Pump Room while here and try the waters that give Cheltenham its Spa name… word of warning it is an acquired taste.  Pittville park has a large playground, large boating lake, pitch and putt, tennis courts, wooden assault course, skate park and a smaller play park offering plenty for a lovely day out. - Prestbury, Cheltenham GL50 4SH 

Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common lie within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The main aspect of the hill is clearly visible from many parts of Cheltenham . Historical features on the hill include an Iron Age hillfort and long barrow. Old tramways criss-cross the hill from the days of limestone quarrying and the remains of kilns and quarries are still very much in evidence. Be sure to get a good view of Devils chimney! Parking at Daisy Banks Carpark is free and offers you a couple of routes up the hill. There are some steep bits but the views are worth it. 

Dowdeswell Reservoir, Lineover Woods  and Crickley Hill are also wonderful walks to enjoy more information on these walks are detailed in your welcome pack.

Places to Visit

Winchcombe (18 min drive)- Famous as a centre for walkers, Winchcombe has a wonderful timeless quality about it, with Cotswold stone cottages standing side by side with distinctive black and white half-timbered buildings. Independent shops include a wonderful deli, traditional retailers, boutique clothing, interiors and antique shops. Lose yourself in the narrow alleyways, stay or dine in the historic pubs, indulge in afternoon tea in a local café or while away the time browsing the local galleries and shops. This village is also the home of Sudeley Castle where the last of Henry VIII’s six wives, Katherine Parr lived and died in the castle. She is now entombed in a beautiful 15th century church found within the gardens. 

Bourton- on-the - Water (27 min drive)- This is a popular destination with gently flowing River Windrush running through the centre of the village and crossed by attractive little bridges. It can be really busy, especially at weekends and Bank Holidays during the summer. We would recommend visiting outside peak times.. There is much to see from Birdland Park and Gardens – home to a wide variety of exotic birds including penguins & flamingos; The Model Village – a 1/9th  scale replica of the centre of the village; the Cotswold Motoring Museum has seven unique galleries housing a collection of vintage cars, The village also has an eclectic mix of shops including Cotswold Perfumery, a jewellers and pottery giving a wide choice of unique and exciting gifts.

Tewksbury (24 min drive) - With a rich, vibrant history and a beautiful waterside setting, there is plenty for everyone to discover in Tewkesbury. You can take in the stunning scenery by taking a stroll beside the River Severn, or a boat trip along the Avon. Then head to Tewkesbury Abbey; an imposing feature of the town’s landscape for nearly 900 years. The Abbey is one of Gloucestershire’s most popular tourist attractions, alongside Gloucester Cathedral.  Throughout the year Tewkesbury has a full calendar of events, celebrations and festivals to enjoy including the world-famous Medieval Festival, popular Food & Drink Festival and Mop Fair. 

Broadway (33 min drive)- Often referred to as the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds', Broadway village lies beneath Fish Hill on the western Cotswold escarpment, in the county of Worcestershire and close to the border of Gloucestershire. The pretty High Street is lined with horse chestnut trees and includes a mixture of period houses & picturesque honey coloured Cotswold stone cottages which have lured visitors for centuries. Broadway Tower is an iconic landmark, on top of the beautiful Cotswolds escarpment, with beautiful views and has enjoyed a colourful history since its conception by Capability Brown over 200 years ago.

Stow on the Wold (32 min drive) - Stow is the highest of the Cotswold towns, located on the Roman Fosse Way and at the point where several roads meet. Stow is an important shopping centre and has many fine Antique shops, Art galleries, Gifts and Crafts and is a centre for Walking the Cotswolds countryside . A Farmers Market is held in The Square on 2nd Thursday of each month, 9am to 1pm. There is a wonderful choice of restaurants, bistros and tea shops to choose from including a wide choice of pub food. Our recommendation would be to visit the Old Butchers for some incredible food. 

Bibury (35 min drive)- Bibury is featured on many lists of most beautiful Cotswold villages, and even the most beautiful villages in the UK. .Bibury welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. Attractions and things to see in Bibury include Arlington Row, a row of weavers cottages built of local stone next to the River Coln, the Bibury Trout Farm and the Saxon Church, the Church of St Mary.  The River Coln flows through Bibury sandwiched between the main village street and an expanse of boggy watermeadow known as Rack Isle. With Arlington Row as a backdrop, it makes one of the most picturesque scenes you will find in the Cotswolds.

The Forest of Dean (45 min drive)- If you are here for a long weekend a day trip to the Forest of Dean would be recommended, the woodlands are vast and truly beautiful. There are many routes and places to stop but Mallards Pike is one of our favourites, it also has the opportunity to hire segway’s to take a spin around the forest along with Go Ape if you are feeling adventurous and fancy zip lining through the forest canopy.  - https://www.forestryengland.uk/mallards-pike