Frome Valley Walkway

The Frome Valley Walkway stretches through some proper decent countryside just outside Wotton-under-Edge, and it's the kind of place that rewards you for actually getting out of the car. This isn't a dramatic gorge or a showpiece nature reserve - it's quieter than that. You're walking alongside the River Frome as it winds through woodland and open meadow, with the valley closing in around you in places, then opening out again when you least expect it.

It's excellent for anyone who wants to stretch their legs without needing a map and a packed lunch. Most sections are manageable for families with older kids, though younger ones might find some stretches a bit long. History enthusiasts will appreciate the industrial heritage tucked into the valley - old mills and traces of the textile trade that made this area tick centuries ago. If you're based at nearby Wixoldbury Farm Glamping and fancy a proper walk that doesn't require booking or paying entry, this delivers.

The best time is spring or early autumn when the tree cover isn't overwhelming everything and the path itself isn't sodden. You can do sections of it rather than the whole thing, which is handy if your patience wears thin. Allow a couple of hours for a decent stretch. The walk itself is free, and there's no need to book - just turn up. It sits nicely within a broader Gloucestershire rambling trip, particularly if you're doing a loop round the Forest of Dean or exploring the Cotswold edge.