Stroud

Stroud is a market town with an industrial history. Textile mills used the fast flowing water in the local valleys. The Thames & Severn Way passes along the Stroudwater Canal.

TI George Street. Tel. 01453 760960.

www.cotswolds.info | www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk

The Museum in the Park ¾ mile

Set in the beautiful Stratford Park, the Museum is housed in a 17th century wool merchant's mansion and tells the story of the Stroud valleys and wider district. Exhibitions and events programme. Refreshments. Tel. 01453 763394.
Open Jan-Nov, TWThFSSu & BH 1100-1700 (1600 Oct-Mar).
www.museuminthepark.org.uk

Westonbirt Arboretum by bus

The 600 acre arboretum contains an extensive collection of specimen trees from around the world, many of them rare and exotic. Restaurant and Café. Tel. 0300 067 4890.
Open Daily 0900-1700.
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Bus 69 from Merrywalks Bus Station (¼ mile from Rail Station) to entrance, 50 minutes journey, M-S infrequent. Operated by Stagecoach.

Painswick Rococo Garden by bus then ½ mile

Planted as a flamboyant pleasure garden in the 1740s this is the only surviving garden in the English Rococo style, with long vistas, geometric patterns and architectural features. Restaurant. Tel. 01242 813204.
Open Feb-Oct, Daily 1100-1700.
www.rococogarden.org.uk
Bus 66 from Merrywalks Bus Station (¼ mile from Rail Station) to Painswick Church (or the next stop) then ½ mile walk. 7-10 minutes journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2-hourly. Operated by Stagecoach. Buses also operate from Cheltenham.

The Cotswold Way National Trail passes through Painswick.

The Bird & Deer Park by bus

Set in the wooded valley of the 18th century landscaped Prinknash Park. Peacocks, waterfowl, pheasants and aviaries with exotic birds. Fallow deer and reindeer. Refreshments at the Visitor Centre. Tel. 01452 812727.
Open Daily 1000-1700 (1630 Nov-Feb).
www.thebirdpark.com
Bus 66 from Merrywalks Bus Station (¼ mile from Rail Station) to Prinknash Park entrance, on the left shortly after Cranham (watch for sign). 15 minutes journey, M-S hourly, Sun & BH 2-hourly. Operated by Stagecoach. Buses also operate from Cheltenham.

Woodchester Park NT by bus then ½ mile

A wooded valley with the remains of a landscape park and a chain of five lakes. Waymarked trails through the picturesque scenery. Woodland play trail. Admission free. The unfinished mansion (¾ mile from entrance) is not NT, see below. Tel. 01452 814213.
Open Daily dawn-dusk.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woodchester-park
Bus 65 from Merrywalks Bus Station (¼ mile from Rail Station) to Nympsfield, Rose & Crown, then ½ mile walk to entrance. 17-27 minutes journey, M-F only, 2-hourly. Some journeys pass through Woodchester village but do NOT alight there, remain on the bus to Nympsfield. Operated by Stagecoach. Buses also operate from Cam & Dursley.

Woodchester Mansion by bus then 1¼ miles

A Victorian Gothic mansion mysteriously abandoned before construction was complete. Fine carvings. Guided tours available (see website for times). Refreshments. Admission discount for NT and EH members. Tel. 01453 861541.
Open Apr-Oct, TWThFSSu & BH 1100-1700. Occasional closures for private events, please check website.
www.woodchestermansion.org.uk
Bus see Woodchester Park above, 1¼ miles walk to Mansion (half through Woodchester Park).

Nympsfield Long Barrow EH by bus then ¾ mile

A large Neolithic burial mound with spectacular views over the Severn Valley. Its burial chambers are uncovered for viewing. From Nympsfield Long Barrow you can walk 1 mile south along the Cotswold Way to the similar Uley Long Barrow EH (also known as Hetty Pegler's Tump). Admission free.
Open Daily dawn-dusk.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus see Woodchester Park above, ¾ mile walk.