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Circular Walk around Gloucester

7.5 miles (12 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This famous cathedral city is located in a great spot for walkers close to the edge of both the Cotswolds and the Malvern Hills Walks. In the city itself there's nice waterside trails along the canal and river which skirt the city's eastern edge. There's also a local country park with woodland trails and an excellent viewpoint over the city.
This circular walk takes you to some of the highlights of the city, visiting the cathedral, the docks, the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and the River Severn.
The walk starts at the 11th century Gloucester Cathedral, just to the west of the train station. From the cathedral you head south to the Docks and the Main Basin on the canal. The docks are home to the National Waterways Museum where you can learn about the fascinating 200-year history of the docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. The docks are the most inland port in the country and include old dock buildings, designer shops and cafes. From the docks you can then follow the towpath south past High Orchard, St Pauls, Monk Meadow Dock and Hempsted Bridge. You then leave the canal to link up with the Severn Way and follow the riverside path back into the town centre.

Postcode

GL1 2LX - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Gloucester OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Gloucester Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Gloucester

Pubs/Cafes

At the docks you could stop off at Dr Foster's Waterfront Bar & Restaurant. There's a large conservatory with views to the water and a good menu here. You can find them at the Kimberley Warehouse with a postcode of GL1 2ES for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The canal and river trails make for a fine dog walk and Dr Foster's mentioned above is also dog friendly. The nearby Robinswood Hill and Highnam Woods are also popular dog walking spots near the city.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

On the southern outskirts of the city there's the splendid Robinswood Hill Country Park to visit. There's miles of woodland trails and a fine viewpoint with views over the city to the surrounding hills and countryside.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cotswolds Walks, the Malvern Hills Walks and the Gloucestershire Walks pages.

Photos

Cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 342235

Cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral. The cathedral is considered one of the greatest medieval religious buildings in the country. It includes grand Gothic architecture, a 225 foot high central tower that is visible across the city and the elaborate fan vaulting of the cloisters pictured here.

Gloucester Docks

Gloucester Docks at dusk

Gloucester, Monk Meadow Dock (other side) - geograph.org.uk - 1091372

Gloucester, Monk Meadow Dock (other side)

A boat and the River Severn, near Hempsted, Gloucestershire - geograph.org.uk - 942662

A boat and the River Severn, near Hempsted, Gloucestershire

Gloucester from Robinswood Hill - geograph.org.uk - 876167

Gloucester from Robinswood Hill. Part of the city centre, with the cathedral prominent. In the distance, about 20 kilometres away, are the Malvern Hills.

Gloucester, The Docks, Viking Boat - geograph.org.uk - 1097226

Gloucester, The Docks, Viking Boat

Westgate Street looking southeast - geograph.org.uk - 1432528

Westgate Street looking southeast

St. Michael's Tower, Gloucester Cross. - panoramio

St. Michael's Tower, Gloucester Cross.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Gloucester.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Gloucester.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)