Walking

From a short stroll to a day long walk, there are plenty of paths to explore within and around the Cotswold Water Park, both Western and Eastern sections.


Walking in the Water Park

  • Lakeside walks
  • Access to birdhides & nature reserves
  • Free car parks
  • Canal tow path route
  • Wonderful wildlife
  • Short and long routes
  • Wheelchair routes
  • Pubs and cafes nearby!

Walk Routes

There are many footpaths and waymarked routes around the area, and a good starting point is the Gateway Centre where you can collect an Access Map of the whole Water Park. Footpaths, bridlepaths and cyclepaths are marked on this map, along with stiles and routes suiatble for wheelchairs.
For those who like more detail the Ordnance Survey Explorer map 169 covers the Cotswold Water Park area.


Thames Path

The Thames Path National Trail is one of only 13 National Trails in England. It follows the River Thames as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds along 184 miles (294 km) of well managed paths through some of Britain's finest countryside, finishing at the Thames Barrier in London. Easy to reach by public transport, the Thames Path can be enjoyed in many ways, whether for an afternoon's stroll, a weekend break or a full scale, but relatively gentle, trek of its whole length.
For more information go to Thames Path website


Cotswold Canals Towpath

The Thames and Severn canal, along with the Stroudwater Navigation, was built to join the Rivers Thames and Severn in 1789. The disused canal runs alonside the Gateway Centre, the main information point for the Cotswold Water Park. Abandoned by 1933, the canal is now undergoing a phased restoration, beginning with a 7 mile length between Stonehouse and Brimscombe, near Stroud.

You can explore the towpath heading North for 3 miles from the Gateway Centre to Siddington, or for 2 miles South from the Gateway Centre to Latton. With care, you can reach Eysey Manor, just over a mile beyond Latton. These tow paths give excellent opportunities for seeing some stunning wildlife such as bats, water voles, dragonflies, butterflies, glow worms, and various songbirds such as reed bunting, reed warblers and blackcap.

For more information about the restoration progress, visit the Cotswold Canals Project website www.cotswoldcanalsproject.org

External Links

Hot Topics

Events
The Cotswold Water Park Society runs an annual programme of events including guided… View Topic Events
History
There is clear evidence that people have been living in this area for the past 6000… View Topic History
Information Centres
Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre Why not call into the Gateway Centre just off… View Topic Information Centres
Swimming
There are lakes within the Cotswold Water park where it is legal and safe to swim - read on! View Topic Swimming

News

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