Stroud - Painswick - Pitchcombe - Stroud

Sean Meek

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The walk starts from Stratford Park, on the outskirts of Stroud, which is well worth a visit in its own right. The 56-acre park contains within its grounds an arboretum, an ornamental lake with plenty of ducks and swans, the 'Museum in the Park', a Victorian bandstand, a miniature railway, a leisure centre with outdoor and indoor swimming-pools and a large children's play area.

After leaving the park the walk heads up the side of Painswick Valley, which is one of five valleys converging at Stroud. On reaching the small Cotswold town of Painswick, the walk follows the river which flows down the valley, eventually crossing it at a small waterfall, then heads back to Stroud along the other side of the valley via the ancient village of Pitchcombe.

There are excellent views both up and down the valley throughout the walk, both of Stroud and the hills which enclose the town and of Painswick, known as 'Queen of the Cotswolds', dominated by its church with its high spire.

England - South West England - Gloucestershire - Cotswolds

Features

Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Museum, Play Area, Public Transport, River, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

3/7/2022 - Sharon Marshman

A wonderfully varied walk with fabulous views and several hills. A little muddy in places but overall a fantastic walk. We measured it at around 7 miles over 3 1/2 hours.

3/28/2021 - John Merrick

A lovely walk with plenty of stunning views across the Painswick Valley as you go. A slight correction is required at the end of Waypoint 5 because an agricultural 'commune' has erected a high fence around their plot and across the footpath. So, look out for a new gate in this fence line, enter, turn left then right around the perimeter of this plot to access the road crossing described in Waypoint 6.

8/8/2015 - Peter Newman

We completed this walk today and the instructions/ directions are spot on and easy to follow. Stunning views throughout the walk, even in the country park! The only thing I would say is that neither of us considered it an "easy walk" due to some steep climbs up the fields. The route is easy but a good deal of "uppage" involved and particularly tiring on a sunny day as little shade in those parts of the walk! Perhaps it should be mentioned about the steep climbs.....I know it mentions the 200m height but we hadn't realised how steep the climb would be.....both ways. Didn't spoil the walk though....and well done for the very accurate directions, the best we have ever followed ....didn't go wrong at all! Thank you Sue