From wide open hilltops to gentle parkland and historic estates, Cheltenham is surrounded by some of the region's best walking. Whether you’re after a short family stroll, a pub-to-pub ramble, or something more challenging, there’s a walk nearby to suit you. This guide brings together a selection of the best walking routes in and around Cheltenham.
Best walk for views: Cleeve Hill
This circular walk around Cleeve Hill takes you to the highest point in Gloucestershire for breathtaking views over Cheltenham and out as far as Malvern Hills and Black Mountains in Wales on a clear day. It can be windy at the top though so take warm layers.
The route starts at Cleeve Hill golf course and loops around the top of the hill, an area of limestone grassland that's been designated a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) as the habitat of rare plant species like orchids and the purple milk-vetch. You'll often see sheep grazing on the hill so make sure to keep any dogs on a lead near them.
The circular walks ends back at the golf course, where you can treat yourself to an ice cream or visit the club café. Or stop off at the Rising Sun, a perfectly placed hilltop pub where you can linger over lunch with the same wide-reaching views.
- Walk details: 4 or 6 miles, 2–4 hours
- Starting point: Cleeve Hill Golf Club, which has a paid car park. Take the B4632 from Cheltenham towards Winchcombe. Or catch the Stagecoach W bus from Cheltenham to the Malvern View stop.
- Route information
Images feature Pittville Park, Sudeley Castle and Cleeve Hill
Best walk for families: Pittville Park
Dating back to 1825, Pittville Park is the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features the stunning Grade II-listed Pittville Pump Room. This popular green space is a lovely place to wander around, with wide, traffic-free flat paths which are suitable for pushchairs.
There are several playgrounds for the kids to enjoy, including a large one on the eastern side of the park, as well as a boating lake, tennis courts, BMX park and a pitch and putt golf course. Then why not refuel at the Central Cross or Boathouse Cafés, who sell freshly ground coffee, ice creams, homemade sandwiches and cakes.
Or if you're looking for a longer walk, you can join onto the Honeybourne Line, a flat, surfaced route perfect for walking, cycling or scooting which runs back towards the town centre.
- Walk details: Flexible (1–5 miles)
- Starting point: Pittville Pump Room, which has parking outside. Or you can catch a Stagecoach D, E or N bus from the town centre to Pittville Park.
Best pub walk: Stanton and Snowshill
Follow part of the famous Cotswold Way long-distance trail on this peaceful walk through the Cotswold countryside south of Broadway. The route includes two charming Cotswold villages, both of which have traditional country pubs for lunch – though make sure to book in advance on Sundays.
After a steady climb out of Stanton, honey-coloured cottages quickly give way to open hillside and sweeping views. The route runs through woodland to Snowshill where you can stop off at The Snowshill Arms or visit National Trust site Snowshill Manor and Garden.
The return route climbs up onto the Cotswold Edge, where the walking eases off and the landscape opens up. Then you descend back to Stanton where The Mount Inn and its panoramic beer garden awaits.
- Walk details: 6 miles/3.5–4.5 hours
- Starting point: Stanton village, where there is parking outside the Stanton Village Club. It’s 13.2 miles north of Cheltenham along the B4632. Or the Pulhams 606 bus stops on the B4632, a 20-minute walk into the village.
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Best walk for history: Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle
This circular walk to the north of Cheltenham blends rolling countryside with rich history. It starts in the historic town of Winchcombe and follows footpaths out towards Sudeley Castle and Gardens. This fascinating 1000-year-old estate with royal connections is open to visitors between March and November.
After climbing up along a stretch of the Warden's Way, a 13.5 mile route from Winchcombe to Bourton-on-the-Water, the walk passes St Kenelm's Well. This was built at a popular pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages, which is dedicated to the Mercian King Kenelm.
On the way back down to Winchcombe there are great views of the town and the castle. The route ends up back in the centre of Winchcombe, which is well worth exploring, with traditional pubs like The Lion Inn, or the Old Bakery Coffee and Wine Bar.
- Walk details: 3.7 miles/1.5–2 hours
- Starting point: Winchcombe war memorial. Follow the B4632 from Cheltenham to Winchcombe where parking is available in the Back Lane car park. Or the Stagecoach W bus from Cheltenham to Winchcombe takes 25 minutes.
- Route information
Images feature Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Cheltenham Circular Footpath and Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Best walk for art: The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Around 45 minutes to the west of Cheltenham, the Forest of Dean is an area of ancient woodland that was once a royal hunting forest. Today it's the location for one of the region's most artistic walking trails, the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail.
Founded in 1986, the trail connects 18 contemporary sculptures dotted around the forest. Some are permanent and others are temporary, designed by a range of different artists. They include Iron Road, with railway sleepers carved with different Forest symbols, and Cathedral, a giant stained-glass window hanging between the trees.
This dog-friendly route starts and ends at Beechenhurst Lodge, where there's a café for hot and cold drinks and snacks. Or the former hunting lodge turned pub and hotel The Speech House is a good spot for lunch.
- Walk details: 4.8 miles/2–3 miles.
- Starting point: Beechenhurst Lodge, where there's a pay and display car park. Take the A40 then A48 towards Cinderford, then follow Speech House Road.
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Best walk for wildlife: Slimbridge Wetland Centre
For a slower-paced, nature-focused walk, visit the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, 35 minutes southwest of Cheltenham. This 300-hectare wetland nature reserve is one of the UK’s best locations for birdwatching, with species changing through the seasons.
From May onwards, the centre's Summer Walkway lets you get up close to the birdlife, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies who live in the Severn Estuary. The path is wheelchair accessible too.
You can also combine time inside the reserve with longer walks along the nearby River Severn. Nearby paths run along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal towards Frampton on Severn where you'll find the Bell Inn and Three Horseshoes pubs. There's also the Kingfisher Kitchen at Slimbridge for hot breakfasts, jacket potatoes, soups, salads and sandwiches.
- Walk details: Various routes.
- Starting point: Slimbridge Wetland Centre which has free parking. Follow the M5 to Junction 13 then turn off onto the A38 into Slimbridge. You could also take a train from Cheltenham to Cam & Dursley then a taxi to the centre.
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Best walk for a challenge: Cheltenham Circular Footpath
If you fancy trying a more challenging walk, the Cheltenham Circular Footpath loops around the town in a 26-mile circuit. This waymarked route covers a varied landscape of woodland, farmland and hillside paths as it circles the town.
The route is typically walked over two-three days, but it can easily be broken into shorter sections and spread out over a longer period. The official start and finish point is in Pittville Park, but as it's a loop you can join at any point.
The walk is rated as moderate to difficult with some steep climbs, but the rewards are spectacular views over Cheltenham, and the chance to see a different side of the town.
- Walk details: 26 miles/10–15 hours
- Starting point: Pittville Pump Room, which has parking outside. Or you can catch a Stagecoach D, E or N bus from the town centre to Pittville Park.
- Route information
For more walking inspiration, see our guides to Cheltenham's best winter walks, best dog walks in Cheltenham and parks & gardens in Cheltenham.
