Tortworth walks

This is a circular walk starting in the Cotswold village of Hillesley. The route takes you up the Cotswold escarpment, over fields, through quiet lanes and valleys, to the villages of Alderly and Wortley, before returning to Hillesley. The Cotswold's are a range of hills that rise from the Severn Valley. The “Wolds,” or rolling hills, is an AONB in the west country of the UK. Here the past is evident in the many honey-coloured stone villages and farms.

This circular walk starts from the National Trust car park at Newark Park, Wotton under Edge. On leaving the estate, the route makes its way downhill towards Ozleworth Park, down into Ozleworth Bottom, before climbing up Hen’s Ridge and linking up with the Monarch’s and the Cotswold Way, before returning to Newark Park.

This Gloucestershire circular walk with ascents and descents explores Dursley countryside and surrounding hills with superb views using a section of Cotswold Way. On a clear day, you can even admire River Severn and the Brecon Beacons in Wales from several tops!

An easy Gloucestershire walk that takes you along the Severn Estuary. The walk uses paths and lanes including sections of the Severn Way and Jubliee Way.

This circular walk set in the southern end of the English Cotswold, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The walk is a mixture of open fields, quiet country lanes, with one section of the walk using pathways within the National Arboretum at Westonbirt. The walk passes through two Cotswold villages : Tresham and Leighterton.

This circular walk from Newington provides a good way to discover two quiet valleys along Ozleworth and Marlees Brooks.

This Gloucestershire walk from Horsley explores surrounding woods using well-marked paths and bridleways.

This peaceful circular walk in Oakenhill Woods uses paths and tracks in this preserved area where you could see wildlife.

Follow the path above limestone cliffs where peregrines nest, to the lost medieval village of Lancaut and the ruins of St James’ church.

This circular walk from Mallards Pike Lake provides a good way to discover preserved Staple-edge Hill using tracks and paths in Staple-edge Wood.

This circular walk uses well-marked paths and track across the Forest of Dean where you will discover a beautiful lake and an old colliery site on your way!

A figure of eight walk centred on the delightful village of Brockweir. The walk is mainly level along the Wye Valley on old railway tracks, the riverbank and minor roads, part in Wales and part in Gloucestershire.

Contoured walk with a focus on 18th century historic features in semi-ancient woodland.

Hilly, with extensive views over and beyond the park landscape, mainly on open land.

Doynton is a village situated at the southern end of the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, approximately 14.5km (9.0) miles from Bath. The walk starts from the Holy Trinity Church, Doynton, and takes you up the Cotswold escarpment, over fields, through quiet lanes and valleys, to the village of Dyrham, before returning to Doynton

A climb to Wickridge for views of Stroud, followed by a level section and then descent with further fine views to Painswick. After climbing to the town, the return is along the stream and then on a mostly level path along the valley. The walk can be extended to Painswick House and gardens.

A circular walk on either side of the Painswick Valley, visiting the villages of Pitchcombe and White’s Hill.

After a level stroll above the Painswick Valley, this route drops to cross the stream then climbs to the popular Edgemoor Arms. It then joins the Cotswold Way for an extended promenade along the wooded escarpment, including a visit to the fine viewpoint of Haresfield Beacon.

A short, one-way stroll down into Stroud for sightseeing, shopping or to visit the Farmer’s Market. Return the same way, or by car or taxi.

Passing by Goram’s Chair, Tarn Lake, Beech Cathedral, Lily Pond, Rhododendron Walk, Rustic Lodge, Woodman’s Cottage.

Walk passing by Iron Age Hill Fort, Echo Gate, Arbutus walk, Kingsweston Down and wildflower meadows.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin dates back to 1093, with various rebuilding over the years until an extensive refurbishment in 1878. Look out for two notable graves; an obelisk memorial to the Egyptologist Amelia Edwards and coloured head and foot stones of ‘Scipio Africanus’, a negro slave.

Built in 1795 for John Scandret Harford by William Paty. A solid, simple design placed on a rise so as to appear bigger. Harford was responsible for commissioning landscape architect Humphrey Repton and thereafter, architect John Nash who designed the Orangery, Dairy and nearby Blaise Hamlet. More ornate additions representing a Greek classical influence were made to both the exterior and interior of the house from 1832-3 by C R Cockerell on instruction from J S Harford Jnr.

The gorge is at its deepest below Lover’s Leap. You can see massive cliffs of steeply tilted white Carboniferous Limestone. It is difficult to see exactly how the Gorge was formed. It would have been directly influenced by the most recent Ice Age up to 100,000 years ago.

This circular walk in the forest of Dean provides a good way to discover paths and tracks along a section of Gloucestershire Way and Woorgreens Nature Reserve.

Starting at Mile End in the Forest of Dean visit the magical old quarries that have been reclaimed by nature. If you mooch about here you may find an old WW2 firing range used by the home guard. Continue down the valley where you may see old mines, then turn sharp right by a high old stone wall. The narrow path takes you back up to Perch Enclosure with magnificent pine trees. Take the loop around, past the old campsite and back onto the track where you started.

A moderate walk suitable for a family with older children but unsuitable for wheels. Takes you through quieter parts of the Blaise estate and Henbury gold course.

It is 150 years since The Clifton and Durdham Downs (Bristol) Act, 1861 secured the Downs as a place of recreation for us all – forever. This trail and a second trail exploring the Promenade and Observatory Hill celebrate this anniversary and explore the rich and fascinating history of the Downs.

The outward route is the quickest and easiest route to Symonds Yat. The return is more adventurous, seeking out the impressive King Arthur’s Cave and secret viewpoints over the Wye Gorge.

Featuring the impressive Suck Stone and Near Hearkening Rocks, two medieval churches, a lengthy section along the Wye, the Yat Rock viewpoint and a quiet stream valley, this walk offers an in-depth introduction to the landscapes of the Forest of Dean.

The most straightforward route to and from Symonds Yat, featuring an old mine, a significant riverside stretch and of course the classic viewpoint of Symonds Yat. Look out for Peregrine Falcons and Goshawks overhead.

It is 150 years since The Clifton and Durdham Downs (Bristol) Act, 1861 secured the Downs as a place of recreation for us all – forever. This trail and a second trail exploring Durdham Down celebrate this anniversary and explore the rich and fascinating history of the Downs.

Dramatic cliffs, superb views and riverside walking with a wrapping of internationally protected woodlands and sprinkling of industrial ruins.

A steep descent and ascent from the car park at Yat Rock to the River Wye at Symonds Yat East.

Follow in the footsteps of the Wye Tourists down to the Wye. Cross the river at the Biblins visiting Little Doward Hillfort, King Arthur’s Cave and New Weir Forge. Return on the hand ferry at Symonds Yat West.