Walkers are Welcome
Walkers are Welcome towns and villages are places which have something special to offer walkers.
The historic market town of Winchcombe was the first in the Cotswolds to achieve Walkers are Welcome status in 2010 which means that your stay in Winchcombe is likely to be a very pleasant and memorable experience.
You can base yourself in Winchcombe to walk a variety of long distance routes such as the Cotswold Way, Winchcombe Way, Wardens Way and Windrush Way. The circular Gloucestershire Way also passes through finishing at Tewkesbury.
The newly created 42 mile Winchcombe Way featured recently on BBC TV and radio, passes through a constantly changing landscape.
Find out more about Winchcombe...
Longborough, (best kept village winner in 2001) a delightful small Cotswold village over-looking the Evenlode Valley and surrounded by lovely countryside, was the first Cotswold village to be awarded Walkers are Welcome in 2010, celebrated at a launch event with Christopher Rodrigues CBE, chair of VisitBritain in May 2011.
The village has a shop, two pubs and its 12th Century Norman Church is a focal point for several miles. It is perfectly situated if you are looking for a peaceful country retreat, yet is within easy driving from popular Stow on the Wold with all its shops and restaurants and Moreton in Marsh – both 3 miles away. Walkers will enjoy the footpaths leading from the village and its fabulous and far-reaching views across the valley.
Find out more about Longborough.
Stroud - Walkers are very much welcome in Stroud! The town council supported a successful application for Stroud to become a national Walkers are Welcome town. The status helps ensures that footpaths and facilities for walkers are maintained in good condition.
Stroud hosts a popular annual walking festival in September which has become an important fixture on Stroud's events calendar and includes an impressive array of events across the valley for walkers of all abilities.
King’s Stanley and Leonard Stanley have been awarded the status of communities where “Walkers are Welcome”. The Stanleys are blessed with good local pubs close to free car parking for those planning a day’s walking. “The Bell” by Selsley Common is close to the Cotswold Way and the famous Arts & Crafts church. “The King’s Head” is also close the Cotswold Way and local shops. “The White Hart” is at the lovely historic centre of Leonard Stanley. For longer walks there is “Guiseppe’s Gourmet” at the glider club on the way to Woodchester Park. The Stanleys have much to offer walkers. The Stanleys and their environs offer a microcosm of all that is attractive in the Cotswolds.There is impressive architecture, miles of woodland, limestone pastures with wildflowers and butterflies, wonderful views, and the industrial heritage of the canal, mills, and Arts and Craft movement.
To help walkers enjoy the best of the Stanleys, a series of downloadable walks are available from the King's Stanley Parish Council website.
Bradford on Avon near Bath joins the list of Walkers are Welcome towns in the Cotswolds and has become the first Walkers are Welcome town in Wiltshire.
This was made possible by the support and funding of Bradford on Avon Town Council, Wiltshire and Swindon Ramblers and the Bradford on Avon Area Board (Wiltshire Council), in conjunction with Bradford on Avon Chamber of Commerce, Bradford on Avon Information Centre and Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon.
Set in the beautiful Bristol Avon Valley and on the edge of the Cotswold AONB, the historic town of Bradford on Avon is the perfect place for a walking holiday, with walks to suit all ages and abilities.
The MacMillan Way and the Kennet and Avon Canal pass right through the town.
Bradford on Avon is very well served by train and bus links, including Bath, Bristol and London.
Find out more about Bradford on Avon
