Estimated walking time: 1–1.5 hours (longer with kids, dogs, or photo stops)
Starting in Brimscombe
We began this walk right from our house in Brimscombe, taking the steep, narrow footpath that winds down toward the valley. It’s one of those classic Stroud‑valley paths — leafy, a bit slippery after rain, and steep enough that you naturally lean back as you descend. At the bottom, we crossed London Road and headed toward The Ship Inn.
From here, turn down the small lane that leads past the Cotswold Canals Trust Charity Shop and The Long Table. This little cluster always feels like a community hub, and it’s the easiest access point to join the towpath.
Joining the Thames & Severn Canal Towpath
A few steps beyond The Long Table, the lane opens onto the Stroudwater Canal Path. Once you step onto the towpath at the Brimscombe end, the canal feels tight and slightly wild — a narrow, overgrown stretch edged with hints of the valley’s industrial past and present. The water moves quietly beside you, leading you along and setting the pace for a gentle stroll toward town, where the landscape gradually opens and the walk begins to feel broader and more settled.
This walk is straightforward: simply follow the towpath west toward Stroud.
What You’ll See Along the Way
This stretch of canal is full of small, satisfying details — the kind that make a simple walk feel special.
Stone Bridges
You’ll pass under and alongside several beautiful old stone bridges, each with its own shape and character. They’re wonderfully photogenic and a reminder of the canal’s industrial past.
Stroud Brewery & Noni’s Coffee
As you get closer to Stroud Brewery, the atmosphere shifts again — the quiet of the towpath giving way to the low chatter of people sitting outside with a beer or a meal. There’s a clear entry point straight from the canal, with signage guiding you into the outdoor seating area if you fancy stopping. Just before you reach it, a small turn‑off leads up to Noni’s Coffee, a local roastery with a tiny café tucked inside — an easy detour if you’re after something a bit quieter than the brewery buzz.
Wildlife: Herons, Swans & Moorhens
This section of the canal is rich with wildlife. We spotted a heron standing perfectly still on the far bank, waiting for its moment. In the spring and summer, Swans glide past like they own the place, and moorhens dart in and out of the reeds. If you’re walking with kids, there’s always something to point out.
Longboats & Barges
Every so often, a longboat or barge sits moored along the bank, a stationary reminder of the canal’s working past.
Old Wooden Locks
You’ll also pass several historic wooden lock gates, softened by moss and dripping with water. They’re beautiful in their own way — weathered, slightly crooked, and full of history.
Approaching Stroud
As you get closer to Stroud, the towpath becomes a little busier with walkers, cyclists, and dogs sharing the towpath in that familiar, easy rhythm of a well‑used local trail. The valley opens up as you pass Arundel Mill Ponds and Capel’s Mill Park, the water widening and the landscape feeling a little less tucked‑in than it does near Brimscombe. The path eventually leads you to Dr Newton’s Way, where you turn onto the pavement and walk beneath the railway bridge. From there, turn left to rejoin the trail, following the signs toward Stroud. Stay to the left and continue along the canal path as it curves through a short tunnel and passes under Dr Newton’s Way — the final, gentle stretch that delivers you right into Stroud town.
Before long, you’re greeted by the familiar bustle of Stroud and that gentle shift from countryside quiet to market‑town energy. It’s an easy, rewarding walk — close to home, full of small details, and one of those routes that quietly becomes part of everyday life in the valleys.
Distance & Difficulty
- Distance: ~3.5 km / 2.2 miles
- Time: 1–1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat
- Terrain: Gravel towpath, occasional muddy patches
- Family‑friendly: Yes
- Buggy‑friendly: Mostly, though the steep path from Brimscombe is not — start at The Ship Inn instead.
What I Love About This Walk
It’s simple, accessible, and full of small moments — wildlife, bridges, boats, and the steady rhythm of the canal. It’s the kind of everyday walk that can become part of your life when you live in the Stroud valleys.
Starting the Walk from Stroud (Reverse Route)
If you’re beginning this walk in Stroud town centre, it’s just as easy to follow the canal toward Brimscombe. From the centre of town, head down Rowcroft, pass under the railway bridge, and continue straight onto Wallbridge, walking past the Cotswold Canals Trust Visitor Centre. Cross the canal toward Travis Perkins, then take the left turn onto the towpath just after the bridge.
Follow the path through the short tunnel beneath Dr Newton’s Way, then turn right and walk up the hill to the pavement so you can safely cross over the canal. Rejoin the towpath on the other side as it dips back under the railway bridge and settles into the Stroudwater Canal route toward Brimscombe.
From here, simply continue along the towpath heading east. You’ll pass the old mill buildings, the wide stretch of water at Arundel Mill Ponds, and eventually reach Stroud Brewery. Keep following the canal as it narrows and becomes quieter, with longboats, stone bridges, and wildlife along the way. When you reach The Long Table and the Cotswold Canals Trust Charity Shop, turn up the small lane toward The Ship Inn.
This version of the walk is just as beautiful — a gentle out‑and‑back route that works perfectly if you’re based in Stroud or visiting for the day. Stroud Brewery, The Long Table, and The Ship Inn all make brilliant mid‑journey stops if you’re in the mood for lunch. It’s the kind of route you find yourself returning to, just to enjoy each of these fantastic local spots in their own right.
