In this guide, we look at some walks that are well suited to toddlers and pre-schoolers ( 1- 4 years).
Walking with younger children can be hard work, to put it mildly! They don’t like to walk in a straight line, they want to stop every 5 seconds to pick up rocks, they have no sense of danger or personal safety and often they won’t even walk at all! ( My biceps were never bigger when my boys were toddlers with all the endless “pick-ups, and carry meeeeee’s!”)
They are all walks that you can make as long or as short as you like; complete the suggested trail or just roam free in the beautiful scenic surroundings. We have only selected walks that have no steep ridge lines or deep bodies of water making it a little bit easier to keep your little ones safe when chasing after them! the suggested routes are all 1 – 3k as well making it manageable for little legs.
We were really keen to get our young ones outside a lot as soon as they could walk; to get them used to walking, to let them be immersed in nature and all the benefits that brings for them and also for us! I desperately needed to have some days with my boys that weren’t at a playgroup, soft play or the local playground (as nice as all those things were).
As parents, we have always loved the great outdoors and didn’t want that to stop now we had small kids. In fact, we wanted MORE nature, more adventures, and more uninterrupted bonding time.
With this in mind, we’ve created a list of short, easily accessible walks, that your little ones will be able to manage so they can explore some more of the great outdoors with you!
We’ve started off with the free walks on public land, followed by some equally lovely walks for your toddlers and pre-schoolers through National Trust properties where entrance fee is chargeable (Free for members)
Free Countryside Walks
These walks are all in county country parks, common land, or along public footpaths. A small charge for parking is normally required but apart from that, all you need is yourselves, a drink and some snacks!
Broadway Tower
In a nutshell:
- Close to the car park
- Café and toilets
- Panoramic Views
You can just wander the stunning grounds of the Estate if you wish, or complete the well signposted Broadway Tower Circular Walk
Cleeve Common Bluebell Walk
In a nutshell:
- Woodland Walk
- Bluebells and Wildflowers
- Countryside Views
Cleeve Common is the highest point of the Cotswolds with many walks and beautiful views. It also an excellent place for kite flying and I’ve seen many families flying a kite on a breezy day! Either park up at Cleeve Common Car Park (GL52 3NF) for a general wander on top of the common or click the link below for the guide through the Wardens Wood.
Coaley Peak Loop
In a nutshell:
- Close to the car park, which opens up on to magnificent views of the Cotswolds and the Severn Valley.
- Neolithic long barrow site
- Abundant butterflies and birds in the spring and summer
- Perfect for picnics
Dover’s Hill Loop
In a nutshell:
- Close to the car park
- Sweeping Views of the Vale of Evesham and Beyond
- Large opens fields and pretty wooded areas
Roborough Common
In a Nutshell:
- Sweeping views of the surrounding Countryside
- Beautiful meadow with wildflowers and butterflies
- Stop for an ice cream at the wonderful Winstone’s on Rodborough Common
Crickley Hill
In a nutshell:
- Café and toilets
- Explore the site of the Iron Age Hill Fort
- Stunning Countryside Views
Tinkley Gate
In a nutshell:
- Short walk from the car park to an open field with grassy areas and slopes to play and explore
- Café with kids corner and toilet facilities
- Lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
NATURE RESERVES
These natures reserves are beautiful spots in the Cotswolds that are free to explore with your toddler or pre-schoolers.
Frith Woods
Frith Wood Nature Reserve is a beautiful woodland of beech trees, set on a ridge above Stroud with views overlooking the Slad Valley and Painswick Valley in the Cotswolds. It is a great place for a walk with your toddler or pre-schooler.
Its a great location for exploring the woodland, and there are beautiful bluebells here in the spring.
PARKING: Free parking is available, put in the nearest postcode, GL6 7QS, this which will direct you to the northern entrance to the Nature Reserve, you will pass the lay by for free parking before you reach the entrance, the layby is located at the Bulls Cross intersection (Slad Road and Yokehouse Lane) along the B4070.
Laurie Lee Woods
Laurie Lee Woods are located on Knapp Lane, Stroud (nearest postcode is (GL6 7LA) Your toddler’s and pre schoolers can wander along the woodland paths through the trees and enjoy bluebells, wild garlic or violets through the year.
PARKING: Parking is free in laybys on Knapp Lane although there are only a small amount of spaces.
Snow’s Farm
Snows farm is a beautiful grassland at the head of the Dillay Valley in the Cotswolds. Take your young children for a lovely walk with views of the Cotswolds and meadows full of wildflowers, butterflies and birds in the summer.
PARKING: There is free parking in layby near the entrance to the nature reserve ( Enter postcode GL6 7QE). To find the entrance, drive along the B4070, driving along the narrow fork that will take you in to Slad Village. Follow this road down to the end of Steanbridge Lane to find the laybys that are used for parking.
To find the entrance to the nature reserve, walk along the road on your right, then walk through Snows Farm Gate on the public footpath, past the front of the farmhouse and over the stile in to the field. Walk down to the brook and you will see the nature reserve entrance gate marked with Gloucester Wildlife Trust signage.
Swift’s Hill
Swifts hill nature reserve is a beautiful spot with stunning views of the Cotswold landscape and the Slad Valley that stretch as far as the welsh border. It is a grassland nature reserve home to lots of birds, butterflies and wildflowers.
PARKING: The nearest postcode is GL6 7LA. Swifts hill is close to Laurie Lee Wood and parking is in the same layby on Knapp Lane. Parking is free in laybys on Knapp Lane although there are only a small amount of spaces.
National Trust Walks
These walks through National Trusts estate and park lands usually charge an entrance fee (free for members) or parking charges apply.
Hidcote Manor Gardens
Entrance fee applies, please check website here for details
Follow a well marked trail through the stunning floral gardens of Hidcote, including wooded area, grassy lawns, and a pretty fish pond. There are lawn games, croquet and tennis on the courts in the summer.
Newark Park Estate
Entrance fee applies/ please check website here for details.
Follow the winding path from the house and lawns down through the gardens on a hillside to the wide open space of the play field below.
Dyhram Park
Photo courstesy of Helen Feild, National Trust
Entrance fee applies, please check website here for further details
Visit the impressive Dyrham Park Estate and walk down the lime tree drive to the the old lodge playground.
Snowshill
Entrance fee applies, please check website here for details.
From the Visitor Centre, follow the paved path down through the wooded area, discover the wooden theatre and sculptures hidden in the woods and then carry on to the Manor house where you can relax or picnic in the gardens or have a look a the model village.
Toddler friendly places to walk near by;
These are places technically outside of the Cotswolds, but very close and a great option for a toddler walk!
Beechenhurst
Beechenhurst is a lovely spot in the forest of dean just on the outskirts of the Cotswolds. There is a nice play area, café and sculpture trail through the forest path. There are many way marked trails through the forest to choose from and maps from the visitor centre. Its a great place to take the kids for a day out in the woods.
There is also the Stick Man Trail and the Glade Trail at this Foresty England location (As well as other forestry England run areas throughout the country, check out there website here for details).
Beechenhurst (ForestryEngland), Speech House Rd, Coleford GL16 7EJ
Robinswood Hill
Robinswood Hill located in the heart of Gloucester, is a beautiful country park, with stunning views, plenty of wildlife and lots of walking trails on offer with a map at the visitors centre. There is also really nice café here to stop for a drink or a treat!
Robinswood Hill Country Park, Reservoir Road, Gloucester, GL4 6SX.
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Cotswold Little Explorers 
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