Rodborough Common and The Stroudwater Canal

A walk that can be split in two halves, along Rodborough Common, with panoramic views over Stroud and the Severn Vale, then dropping down to a canal section in the valley below the common. Rodborough Common is managed by the National Trust and is renowned for its colourful array of wildflowers and butterflies. Cattle roam freely across the common and neighbouring Minchinhampton Common in the summer.

The walk starts by heading across the common, then down the hill to join the River Frome and canal that runs alongside it. You will join the canal at Capel's Mill, once associated with Stroud's textile industry, and the impressive arches of Brunel's viaduct. There is little evidence of the mill now, but the canal has been recently restored and re-routed through the viaduct, as there is now a road on its former route.

The route of the walk follows sections of both the canal and river as it heads along the valley below the common and will eventually climb back up onto the common. There are some quite steep sections back up again, but you are rewarded with home-made ice cream at the top, from Winstone's Ice Cream shop. There is also a choice of pubs along the route to choose from and you can also buy drinks, cakes and ice cream along the canal section of the walk from Stroud Brewery.

England - South West England - Gloucestershire - Cotswolds

Walkingworld members near this walk

Walk id: 8867

Walk grade

Moderate Walk

Length

6.4 Miles

Height gain

250 Metres

Duration

2 Hours 59 Mins

Average rating

Rated by 0 members

Dog rated by 0 members