Are you looking to immerse yourself in the beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds, but you are worried about accessibility? It can be so frustrating when you need to take the pushchair or pram with you but find it hard to think of anywhere to walk in our stunning landscape that is pushchair friendly.

In this post we have curated a list of picturesque walks tailored for families with pushchairs, so families can enjoy the charm of the Cotswolds while not having to worry about inaccessible routes. Although I have not tested these routes with a wheelchair, a lot of these walks should also be suitable for wheelchair users.

The distances in the walks are just a guide and generally you can walk as much or as little as you like.

Free Walks

These walks are free for the public, normally along public footpaths, parks and common lands. There is sometimes a charge for parking but apart from that are free to access.

Gloucester and Sharpness Canal Route

Perfect for pushchairs and wheelchairs, this walk offers plenty of variety along a mix of paved and gravel flat paths, this is a beautiful level access walk in the countryside.

Length: The full linear route from Gloucester Docks to Sharpness in Berkeley is 16 miles (Walk as much or as little as this as you want).

Parking: I would suggest completing this walk section by section. If starting from Gloucester Docks, parking is at Southgate Moorings Car Park, The Docks, Gloucester GL1 2DB

If Starting from Saul Junction, parking is at The Canal Trust Visitor Centre GL2 7LA

If starting from Sharpness, parking is at the Canal and River Trust car park at Sharpness Viewpoint, GL13 9UF.

Description: This long, flat and pretty walk along the canal starts at the historic Gloucester docks, taking your through lovely scenery of the Cotswold Hills and the Severn estuary. It is abundant with wildlife and beautiful view points. Points of interest include Saul Junction, Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Purton Ships Graveyard and the former site of the Severn Railway Bridge.

Eat/ Drink: There is the Stables Café at Saul Junction to stop for refreshments.

Stonehouse to Nailsworth

Walk from the Gloucestershire town of Stonehouse in the district Stroud, through beautiful scenery with views of Selsley and the River Frome. Pass through Dudbridge at the foot of Selsley and finish the walk in the town of Nailsworth (also on the outskirts of Stroud, Gloucestershire).

This is largely good surface but there are some mild gradients. Should be fine in a pushchair but some wheelchairs may struggle; we advise to check it out with a companion first.

Length: 8k / 5 miles

Parking: High Street, Stonehouse, GL10 2NG. Long stay car park (which includes disabled parking). Car park is currently free for 23 hours.

Description: Start in Stonehouse, (the east end of Regent Street). From the car park, walk down Regent street to Bristol Road. Cross the Bristol road and find the trail head. For the OS map of this route click here. The route takes you through a lovely wooded valley and follows the old midland railway route that was abandoned in the 1960’s. Throughout the journey you will see the River Frome, the Stroudwater Canal and the Nailsworth Stream. It has lovely countryside views towards Selsley along a flat path that has been resurfaced recently making it excellent for wheels!

Eat/Drink: Try the Egypt Mill Hotel in Nailsworth near the end of the track, or try one of the restaurants or cafes in Nailsworth. However we always bring a picnic so we don’t fall short, and the kids don’t get hangry!

Cotswold Water Park

Length: 6k

Parking: Free parking at the Visitor Centre GL7 5TL.

Description: Cotswold Water Park is the name given to this area of 180 lakes, wetlands, paths, and conservation areas. It is free to visit and has a number of brilliant walks to explore that are perfect for wheels. (Not to be confused with the Cotswold Country Park and Beach, which is located within the Cotswold Water Park but it charges an entrance fee).

The visitor centre is open from 10am -3pm, March to November, and has leaflets of the walking routes available. Click here for further details.

Walking route 5 is suggested as an accessible flat walk without stiles. There is a large gate designed to accommodate bikes/ buggies. This route takes you along the Thames path, around beautiful lakes and the flagship Cotswold Water Park nature reserve.

Eat / Drink: There are lots of options for places to eat and drink set with the 42 square miles of the water park. Click here for further details. We like the Gateway Café, which is located near the car park and information centre.

Tip: Check conditions before you go, as this route is prone to flooding.

Honeybourne Line

This fabulous walk in the heart of Cheltenham feels like you are in the middle of the Countryside. Its a local hidden gem that is great for families wanting to experience nature and wildlife which is perfect for walking with wheels.

Length: 2.5k

Parking: Cheltenham. The Cheltenham Railway station car park is at the start of the trail, GL50 2NE.

Description:  The Honeybourne Line Walk in Cheltenham is well known to locals as a great walk for parents with prams/ pushchairs. It runs from Cheltenham Spa Station to the Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham.  Not being local to Cheltenham, I hadn’t heard of it and stumbled upon it online and went to check it out. It is a disused railway track now turned into a path perfect for prams as it is totally flat and paved. It’s a short, sweet walk in the middle of Cheltenham through tunnels, bridges, and nature with playgrounds along the way. 

For more information on the Honeybourne Line walk, check out this great blog post from Cheltenham Rocks.

Eat/drink: The Green Coffee Machine Café near Cheltenham Spa Station, GL50 2RT

Crickley Hill Circular

Length: 3.9 k

Parking: Car park at the Visitor Centre (chargeable) GL4 8JY.

Description: The beautiful Crickley Hill Country Park has stunning views for miles, a lovely café, and the circular route is suitable for all terrain pushchairs and the website says that most of the route is suitable for wheelchairs. There are also ‘tramper’ off road mobility scooters available for hire at the visitor centre.

Click here for more details on the website as well as a online map of the guided walk.

Eat /Drink: Fab little café at the visitors centre.

Bradford on Avon Canal Walk

Length: 3km / 2 miles

Parking: Station Car Park, BA15 1DQ (chargeable).

Facilities: Public toilets at the train station in Bradford on Avon or the Tithe barn along the route.

Description: From the station, turn right on to Frome Road. Continue along to the canal, turning right past the canal tavern, on to the tow path and keep walking along until the Cross Guns pub at Avoncliff.

Retrace your steps back, as far as the bridge, then turn left down a track that takes you to Barton Farm Country Park. follow the path by the bridge past Barton Farm, and then the beautiful Tithe Barn. Keep following the track to Pound lane, when leads back to Frome road and back up to the station/car park.

Eat/ drink: The Cross Guns, Avoncliff, or in the village of Bradford on Avon there are various cafes and pubs.

Stroud to Stonehouse Canal Walk

This trail on tarmac and stone tow paths along the pretty canal side is perfect for pushchairs, however there is one section with 6 steps. To the side is a moderately steep slope and will also need extra care when pushing the pram. This route has no gates or stiles however due to the slope may not be accessible for wheelchairs.

As this is a one-way trail, you will need to either take the train back to the starting point of the walk. On this trail, the start and end points are both located next to rail stations and the kids love a train ride as well which just adds to the fun!

Length: 5.5 k

Parking: Park at Cheapside Car Park, Stroud GL5 2AD

Description: Starting point is the car park which is directly outside of the railway station. Walk towards the railway office and then turn right on to the access road (marked Cheapside). At the mini-roundabout go left (on to the no through road – Wallbridge). When you come to the Cotswold Canals Trust visitor centre, turn left along the towpath, and with the canal on your right, follow the tow path to begin the walk.

Eat/ drink: Various options in Stonehouse or Stroud.

Tetbury to the Trouble House

Length: 3.2km

Parking: Old Railyard Car park, GL8 8DG .

Description: This walk follows an old railway track from the charming Cotswold town of Tetbury to The Trouble House’ pub. It’s an easy walk on a flat level crushed stone path, taking you through quite areas teaming with wildlife and there’s also a park surrounding the peaceful area.

The trail starts at the Old Railyard car park. Follow the tree lined footpath along to Newton Hill Road, and continue to follow the flat track until you reach the trouble house pub. When you are ready to return simply turn around and retrace your steps back to the car park.

Eat/Drink: The Trouble House serves food and is a great place to stop for something to eat or drink after your walk.

Wychwood Wild Garden

Visit the website here

Parking: Park on Dog Kennel Lane, post code.

Description: This is a bit of a hidden gem, with beautiful gardens nestled between woodlands, with the path taking you beside beautiful ponds and a canal weaving through the trees. There are lots of ducks to spot in the area, and as well as a lovely walk, and there is plenty of den building opportunities for the little ones. It’s a beautiful community garden which is a great place to explore with the pushchair or pram.

Dogs: On leads

Eat/ drink: Lots of options in the nearby villages of Burford and Shipton under Wychwood.

Walks with an Entrance Fee

These walks are through beautiful scenery spots, parks and gardens that are open to the public for a entrance fee.

Cirencester Park

This park used to be free. However, from spring 2024  an entrance pass is now required. Please see the website here for details.

Length: To walk around the whole park is about 8k but you can walk as much or as little as you like.

Parking: Old Kennels Car Park, Cirencester Park, GL7 1XU. There is direct access to the Park (the Windsor Walk) from here. Parking is also available in the town itself (a short walk from the town in to the grounds). There is also limited free parking at the top of Cecily Hill, GL7 2EF

Description: On this perfectly pushchair friendly walk, explore the beautiful and grand Cirencester Park, which is part of the Bathurst Estate. The park itself is vast and is located in the heart of Cirencester. There are some magnificent views along the Windsor Walk of the mansion, and the paths within the park are paved and perfect for pushchairs and wheelchairs. There are also some gravel path through some woodland areas.

Eat/Drink: There is a nice café in Cirencester Park. Small informal picnics are also allowed.

Westonbirt Arboretum

Entrance fee applies, click here for details.

Length: The walk around the whole arboretum is 4 km on paved, mainly flat paths with some mild inclines.

There are a variety of trails on offer from the visitor centre including there discovery walk and self led sensory walk. Explore the beautiful tree collection, woodland and groves. We love spotting the cool mushrooms and fungi in the woods too, as well as different birds and squirrels. There is a lovely café and playground, as well as a treetop bridge walk (also suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs). Its stunning all year round but especially so in the autumn for the magnificent colours of the Acers trees and maple groves.

Eat/Drink: Several coffee and snack vans at the entrance as well as a lovely cafe in the middle of the arboretum with a great play area for the little ones.

Batsford Arboretum

Entrance fee applies, click here for details.

Length: 3.2k

Description: A lovely arboretum in the North Cotswold Area, this little gem is a great place for walks with a pushchair or wheelchair. The main walk through the arboretum is paved with some mild inclines. Most of the other paths should be ok for pushchairs as they are gravel, however it might be more challenging in a manual wheelchair. Its very pretty and although not as vast as the larger Westonbirt, it is quieter and still has a great collection of beautiful trees including giant redwoods, there is a swamp and a very pretty Japanese garden.

Eat/ Drink: Lovely Café, garden centre and play area attached to the main arboretum.

Sudley Castle

For admission information, click here.

Length: The gardens cover an area of 15 acres with various paths around the grounds and different gardens.

Parking: Free parking at the Castle.

Description: Walk around the beautiful grounds of Sudley Castle, which includes 10 award winning gardens. There is also a great adventure playground and play Fort for children. There are a couple of steps into one or two of the gardens, but on whole, it is flat and level for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The circular route around the Castle is wheelchair friendly, but there are a few deep gravel paths in some of the gardens that could be more of a struggle.

Eat/ Drink: The pavilion café within the castle grounds, or a short 10 minute walk to Winchcombe High Street for a variety of options.

Pushchair Walks near the Cotswolds

These walks are located near to the Cotswold area of outstanding beauty.

Sculpture Trail – Forest of Dean

A short drive away is the beautiful Forest of Dean, a great location for getting the little ones out in the pushchair. this walk is also described by forestry England as wheelchair accessible.

Length: 3.2k/ 5k/ 7k depending on which route you chose.

Parking: Parking is chargeable at Beechenhurst (Forestry England) GL16 7EL.

Description: Take the alternative start as detailed on the map here, which is more pushchair and wheelchair friendly. The walk is very easy to follow from the way marker posts. There are 18 sculptures to discover through the forest, it is a delightful walk through beautiful woodland. There is also a playground located at Beechenhurst.

Eat/ Drink: There is a café located at Beechenhurst Visitors centre at the start of the trail.

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