Cotswold Lakes Walking and Cycling Guide
Serene lakeside walks and fabulous bird spotting
The Cotswold Lakes is a dream come true for anybody looking to spend more time outside. Whether you’re staying for a weekend, a week, or longer, there is so much on offer to fill your days. Picturesque and serene lakes cover the area and whether you’re exploring on foot or two wheels you will have fantastic opportunities to soak it all in. The routes follow a mix of roads, canal towpaths, old railway lines and along the Thames Path National Trail.
Along the way you’ll see such a wide variety of birdlife which changes throughout the year. Download a copy of the birdwatching leaflet before you head off so you know what you’ve spotted.
Suggested Cotswold Lakes Walks
Take your time as you discover the Cotswold Lakes, relaxing in this peaceful environment
There are so many walking routes to follow it’s hard to know where to start! The Gateway Centre is a good spot to begin a shorter walk and there are a couple of cafes and restaurant options here as well. Pop in for a map and some more information about the area if this is your first visit. Passing between Cotswold Outdoor and the information centre you can begin following the path. It instantly sets the scene with a lake on each side. Spot paddle boarders as they make their way around this quiet setting. You can choose how long you want to make this walk from a shorter 1.6km option to a longer 7.3km route. The longest route sees you following the initial path along the tow path until you reach Latton Basin and Weymoor Bridge. Turn off to the right here and you can explore the North Meadow Nature Reserve. You then head back towards the Gateway Centre along a tree-lined path.
The Cotswold Lakes are a great place for picnics, so why not bring along some sausage rolls and sandwiches. The Three Villages Walk is a circular route of 14km following a section of the Thames Path. It starts and ends at the Neigh Bridge Country Park, the perfect spot to lay down your picnic blanket when you return. You start with a small stretch along the Spine Road before heading down the Thames Path past the Lower Mill Estate. Pass through Ashton Keynes before joining a footpath winding past lake 66 and back up to cross the Spine Road near Clayhill Meadow. From here it’s an easy-to-follow lakeside walk up to South Cerney, another great place to stop off for some food! Along the route from here you meander past the Shorncote reed bed where there is a bird hide perfect for spotting the two legged visitors. If you go slightly off route from here you can visit the Cotswold Sculpture Park (please note dogs are not allowed at the sculpture park). The walk continues into Somerford Keynes before heading back down to the Neigh Bridge Country Park.
Cotswold Lakes Cycling Routes
Made for cycling, the routes are easy to follow and nice and flat
The Cotswold Lakes are perfect for cycling with lots of flat routes to follow along fairly even paths. There will be some sections off road along dirt tracks so its best not to bring a road bike. A 20km route that takes you around the area starts to the northeast. There are two options for parking, the Lakeside or at the Brick Arches. From here there is a short section along the busier Spine Road before turning off towards Pochard Lake. At the end of this road turn right and follow the edge of the lake until you hit a crossroads and continue left into Ashton Keynes. When leaving the village turn right then left towards Minety Lower Moor. From here head out to the right and back up towards Neigh Bridge Country Park along Rigby’s Lane. Cross back over the Spine Road and head through Somerford Keynes seeing the Cotswold Sculpture Park on your right. Continue on and head over Spratsgate Lane, following the country lane until you turn right onto Ewen Road and into South Cerney. From here it’s an easy ride back to Lakeside or the Brick Arches parking area.
There are many short cuts you can make along the way if you need to shorten the distance or if you want to detour to a pub along the way!
Cotswold Lakes Cycle Hire
Discover Bikes at Summer Lake have a range of bikes available for hire, including electric and child trailers. You can also get any accessories you might need such as locks or a GPS. Set right in the heart of the Cotswold Lakes it’s incredible convenient so you can get straight on the road.
