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 a free map of the whole Water Park. Footpaths are marked on this map, but for more detail the Ordnance Survey Explorer map 169 shows all the footpaths, permitted paths, cycleways and bridlepaths.
The Cotswold Water Park Society has produced a leaflet with details of 6 circular walks around the Western Section of the Water Park.
All of the routes are less than 6 miles in length, are suitable for moderate fitness level, and can be accessed easily from free car parks ( all except Walk 6, starting at Keynes Country Park).
Walk 6 is suitable for wheelchair users and mobility buggies.
The leaflet is available to purchase from the Gateway Centre
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?s 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
