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Cotswold Way

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99-615: The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile (164 km) long-distance footpath , running along the Cotswold Edge escarpment of the Cotswold Hills in England . It was officially inaugurated as a National Trail on 24 May 2007 and several new rights of way have been created. The Cotswold Way route was first suggested some 50 years ago by Gloucestershire-area Ramblers , of which Tony Drake (d. 7 March 2012) of Cheltenham area and

198-594: A path or track , is an unpaved lane or a small paved road not intended for usage by motorized vehicles , usually passing through a natural area . In the United Kingdom and Ireland , a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. The term is also applied in North America to accompanying routes along rivers, and sometimes to highways. In the US, the term was historically used for

297-629: A boat, often a barge . They can be paved or unpaved and are popular with cyclists and walkers; some are suitable for equestrians. Equestrians have legal access to all towpaths in Scotland, and there is a campaign for similar rights in England and Wales. In snowy winters in the USA they are popular with cross-country skiers and snowmobile users. Most canals were owned by private companies in Britain, and

396-542: A bridleway must give way to other users on foot or horseback. The seawall in Stanley Park , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada is popular for walking, running, cycling, and inline skating . There are two paths, one for skaters and cyclists and the other for pedestrians. The lane for cyclists and skaters goes one-way in a counterclockwise loop. Foreshoreway (also oceanway ) is a term used in Australia for

495-485: A diverse range of unsigned bands who lack a contract with a record label. With a number of outdoor stages, and the majority of the venues in town taking part, over 400 performers can be seen free of charge over the course of the weekend. The town also hosts an annual series of lectures and exhibitions on contemporary textiles and textile culture called SELECT, run by Stroud International Textiles, an event that exhibits international textiles. The Stroudwater Textile Trust

594-509: A general acceptance that towpaths are open to everyone, and not just boat users. The concept of free access to towpaths is enshrined in the legislation which transferred responsibility for the English and Welsh canals from British Waterways to the Canal & River Trust in 2012. Not all towpaths are suitable for use by cyclists, but where they are, and the canal is owned by British Waterways,

693-546: A gravel or dirt surface suitable for walking, mountain bikes and horses. In the USA the 42 mi (68 km) Cheshire Rail Trail , in New Hampshire , can be used by hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, cyclists, and even dogsledders . In Canada, following the abandonment of the Prince Edward Island Railway in 1989, the government of Prince Edward Island purchased

792-567: A large and diverse number of creative artists and musicians. The town was one of the birthplaces of the organic food movement and was home to Britain's first fully organic café. The Biodynamic Agricultural Association is based in the town. For many years Stroud has hosted a fringe festival on the second weekend in September. A new committee took over in early 2015 and now holds the festival on August Bank Holiday each year. The festival has been expanded to cover art and literature, as well as

891-538: A legal challenge in the High Court. There is still a small textile industry (the green baize cloth used to cover snooker tables and the cloth covering championship tennis balls is made here), but today the town functions primarily as a centre for light engineering and small-scale manufacturing, and a provider of services for the surrounding villages. Stroud is a Fairtrade Town . The Stroud and Swindon Building Society had its headquarters here until it merged with

990-577: A legally protected right to travel. National parks , nature preserves , conservation areas and other protected wilderness areas may have trails that are restricted to pedestrians. Footpaths can be connected to form a long-distance trail or way, which can be used by both day hikers and backpackers . Some trails are over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) long. In the US and Canada, where urban sprawl has reached rural communities, developers and local leaders are currently striving to make their communities more conducive to non-motorized transportation through

1089-598: A mix of challenging terrain, singletrack , smooth fireroads , and even paved paths. Trails with an easy or moderate technical complexity are generally deemed cross-country trails, while trails difficult even to experienced riders are more often dubbed all-mountain , freeride , or downhill. Downhilling is popular at ski resorts like Mammoth Mountain in California, or Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, where ski lifts are used to get bikes and riders to

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1188-491: A particular use is accompanied by prohibitions against that use on other trails within the trail system. Trail segregation may be supported by signage, markings, trail design and construction (especially the selection of tread materials), and by separation between parallel treads. Separation may be achieved by "natural" barriers including distance, ditching, banking, grading, and vegetation, and by "artificial" barriers including fencing, curbing, and walls. Bicycle trails encompass

1287-607: A permit is required. There is no charge for a permit, but it acts as an opportunity to inform cyclists about safe and unsafe areas to cycle. Some areas including London are exempt from this policy, but are covered instead by the London Towpath Code of Conduct and cyclists must have a bell, which they ring twice when approaching pedestrians. Parts of some towpaths have been incorporated into the National Cycle Network, and in most cases this has resulted in

1386-534: A proliferation of mountain bike trails in many countries. Often these will be grouped to form larger complexes, known as trail centers. In the early years of the 20th century, the term auto trail was used for a marked highway route, and trail is now used to designate routes, including highway routes, designated for tourist interest like the Cabot Trail , Nova Scotia, Canada and the Quilt Trails in

1485-584: A range of cuts to health services in and around Stroud, with thousands of people taking part in street demonstrations. Stroud Maternity Hospital was saved in September 2006. The Uplands Post Office branch in Stroud was one of 26 in the county to shut as part of a nationwide programme to cut losses. Following local opposition, the Post Office agreed to talks with civic chiefs to look at how it could reopen. The town council agreed to provide £10,000 of funding for

1584-531: A rough and hurried way, and covered up again. A short account of it appeared in the public press at the time. The excavation at a site at Ebley Road in Stonehouse has revealed evidence of some of the earliest Roman activity known in the Stroud Valleys. A large rectangular enclosure dating back to the 1st century AD was found and more than a dozen human skeletons were unearthed at the end of 2010. At

1683-905: A route into or through wild territory used by explorers and migrants (e.g. the Oregon Trail ). In the United States, "trace" is a synonym for trail, as in Natchez Trace . Some trails are dedicated only for walking, cycling, horse riding , snowshoeing or cross-country skiing , but not more than one use; others, as in the case of a bridleway in the UK, are shared-use and can be used by pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians alike. Although most trails are for low-traffic, non-motorized usage, there are also unpaved trails used by dirt bikes , quad bikes and other off-road vehicles , usually for extreme sports and rally races . In some places, like

1782-572: A small local weaver, now home to a leisure centre with an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool , and the Museum in the Park. Housed in a Grade II listed 17th-century wool merchant's house, the museum collection tells the story of the Stroud District's history. It has over 4,000 objects on display, including dinosaur bones, historical paintings and one of the world’s first lawnmowers. In addition to

1881-540: A three-way consortium with Archway Sixth Form and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College . Other secondary schools in the locality include Maidenhill School in Stonehouse, and Thomas Keble School in Eastcombe and the private Wycliffe College in Stonehouse Tertiary education in the town is provided by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College . The University of Gloucestershire has campuses

1980-544: A towpath, which makes a pleasant off-road track, and have the added virtues of flatness, shade and an abundance of villages along the way", though walking a canal can be monotonous, so that "a long trip beside a canal is better done by bicycle". Stroud, England Stroud is a market town and civil parish in Gloucestershire , England. It is the main town in Stroud District . The town's population

2079-472: A trail is also called a track or piste. Recreational cross-country skiing is also called touring, especially in Europe. Some skiers stay out for extended periods using tents and equipment similar to bushwalkers and hikers, whereas others take shorter trips from ski resorts on maintained trails. In some countries, organizations maintain a network of huts for use by cross-country skiers in wintertime. For example,

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2178-479: A type of greenway that provides a public right-of-way along the edge of the sea open to both walkers and cyclists. A forest road is a type of rudimentary access road, built mainly for the forest industry . In some cases they are used for backcountry recreation access. There is open access to most Forestry Commission roads and land in Great Britain for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and, since

2277-498: A wide variety of trail types, including shared-use paths used for commuting, off-road cross-country trails and downhill mountain bike trails. The number of off-road cycle trails has increased significantly, along with the popularity of mountain bikes . Off-road bicycle trails are generally function-specific and most commonly waymarked along their route. They may take the form of single routes or form part of larger complexes, known as trail centers. Off-road trails often incorporate

2376-545: Is a Walloon initiative aimed at creating a network of route itineraries reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and people with reduced mobility. The 1,350 km (840 mi) network makes use of towpaths on river banks and disused railway or vicinal tramway lines ( narrow-gauge tramways). Old railway lines have been leased by the Walloon Government for 99 years using emphyteutic lease contracts. Where necessary, new paths are created to link parts of

2475-423: Is a sunken path or lane , i.e., a road or track that is significantly lower than the land on either side, not formed by the (recent) engineering of a road cutting but possibly of much greater age. Various mechanisms have been proposed for how holloways may have been formed, including erosion by water or traffic; the digging of embankments to assist with the herding of livestock; and the digging of double banks to mark

2574-432: Is a type of thoroughfare that is intended for use only by pedestrians either within an urban area or through the countryside. An urban footpath is usually called an alley or lane and often paved (see also: sidewalk and pavement ). Other public rights of way , such as bridleways , byways , towpaths, and green lanes are also used by pedestrians. In England and Wales, there are rights of way on which pedestrians have

2673-559: Is common with rail trails . Shared use may also refer to alternate day arrangements, whereby two uses are segregated by being permitted every other day. This is increasingly common on long-distance trails shared by equestrians and mountain bike users; these two user communities have similar trail requirements but may experience difficult encounters with each other on the trail. The Trans Canada Trail can be used by cyclists, hikers, horseback riders, and walkers, as well as cross-country skiers , snowmobilers and snowshoers in winter. In

2772-481: Is increasingly common and diverse. For example, bike trails are used not only on roads open to motor vehicles but also in trail systems open to other trail users. Some trails are segregated for use by both equestrians and mountain bikes or by equestrians or mountain bikes alone. Designated "wilderness area" trails may be segregated for non-wheeled use permitting backpacking and horses but not permitting mountain bikes and motorized vehicles. Often, trail segregation for

2871-758: Is necessary to trace the history of the project to date. Following the passing of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, which made provision for the designation and creation of long distance paths, I put forward the idea of a footpath route following the Cotswold escarpment. This met with great interest but the plans which the Gloucestershire Committee of the Ramblers Association submitted to

2970-689: Is surrounded by the greenbelt of the Cotswolds to the north, south and east. Stroud has a significant artistic community that dates back to the early 20th century. Jasper Conran called Stroud "the Covent Garden of the Cotswolds"; the Daily Telegraph has referred to it as "the artistic equivalent of bookish Hay-on-Wye"; while the London Evening Standard likened the town to "Notting Hill with wellies". The town has

3069-417: The 2001 UK census , Stroud civil parish had a total population of 12,690. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. Ethnically, the population is predominantly white (98.2%). 20.6% of the population were under the age of 16 and 8.3% were aged 75 and over; the mean age of the people of the urban area was 39.5. 92.6% of residents described their health as "fair" or better, similar to the average of 92.8% for

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3168-558: The Alps , trails are used by alpine agrarian communities for moving cattle and other livestock . In Australia, the term track can be used interchangeably with trail or walk, and can refer to anything from a dirt road to an unpaved pedestrian path . In New Zealand, the terms track or walkway are used almost exclusively except when referring to cross-country skiing : "walkways vary enormously in nature, from short urban strolls, to moderate coastal locations, to challenging tramps [hikes] in

3267-526: The Chiemgauer , in being backed on a one-for-one basis by the national currency, having a charge for redemption which is donated to local charities, and including a system of demurrage to encourage rapid circulation. A farmers' market , launched by Jasper Conran and Isabella Blow on 3 July 1999, takes place every Saturday at the Cornhill market. It was nominated for the national Farmers' Market of

3366-634: The Coventry Building Society on 1 September 2010. The building is now the headquarters of the renewable energy provider Ecotricity . Damien Hirst owns the 'Science' facility in Stroud which produces his art. In September 2009, the Stroud Pound Co-operative launched the Stroud Pound as an attempt to reinforce the local economy and encourage more local production. The currency's design follows that of

3465-579: The Gloucester – Swindon Golden Valley Line ) was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel . Though there is much evidence of early historic settlement and transport, Stroud parish was originally part of Bisley , and only began to emerge as a distinct unit in the 13th century, taking its name from the marshy ground at the confluence of the Slad Brook and the River Frome called "La Strode", and

3564-805: The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 mandates that states must use a minimum of 30 percent of these funds for motorized trail uses. Some members of the US government and environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society . have criticized off-road vehicle use on public land . They have noted several consequences of illegal ORV use such as pollution, trail damage, erosion , land degradation , possible species extinction , and habitat destruction which can leave hiking trails impassable. ORV proponents argue legal use taking place under planned access along with

3663-506: The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association maintains over 400 huts stretching across hundreds of kilometres of trails hikers use in the summer and skiers use in the winter. Horse riding and other equestrian uses of trails continue to be a popular activity for many trail users. Horses can usually negotiate much the same grades as hikers, but not always, although they can more easily clear obstacles in

3762-678: The Persian Empire , existed before the Christian era and covered great distances. The Post Track , a prehistoric causeway in the valley of the River Brue in the Somerset Levels , England, is one of the oldest known constructed trackways and dates from around 3838 BC. The idea of following a path or track for exercise or pleasure developed during the 18th century in Europe and arose because of changing attitudes to

3861-609: The Public Health Act 1848 , but he is mainly remembered as one of the chief architects of the Reform Act 1867 . This Act, also known as the Second Reform Act, gave the vote to every urban male householder, not just those of considerable means. This increased the electorate by 1.5 million voters. Lord John Russell is remembered in the town in the names of two streets, John Street and Russell Street, as well as

3960-600: The medieval buildings at Beverston Castle ; and the outstanding Tudor houses at Newark Park and Owlpen Manor . Woodchester Mansion is a masterpiece of the Gothic Revival by local architect Benjamin Bucknall. From 1837 to 1841, Stroud's MP was Lord John Russell of the Whig party, who later became prime minister . Russell was an important politician: he was responsible for passing Acts of Parliament such as

4059-450: The "Grand Concourse", is an integrated walkway system that has over 160 km (99 mi) of walkways, which link every major park, river, pond and green space in six municipalities. A motorized trail is a trail intended for off-road vehicles for example 4×4 cars, dirt bikes, All-terrain vehicles (ATV). Motorized trail use remains very popular with some people, particularly in the US. The Recreational Trails Program defined as part of

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4158-630: The 19th century, and so needed transport links. It first had a canal network in the form of the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames & Severn Canal , both of which survived until the early 20th century. Restoration of these canals as a leisure facility by a partnership of Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust is well under way with a multimillion-pound Lottery grant. Stroud railway station (on

4257-631: The Countryside Bill of 1968, it has become the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Britain. The commission works with associations involved in rambling , cycling, mountain biking and horse riding to promote the use of its land for recreation. The trails open to the public are not just forest roads. A notable example of the commission's promotion of outdoor activity is the 7stanes project in Scotland, where seven purpose built areas of mountain bike trails have been laid, including facilities for disabled cyclists. A Holloway (also hollow way)

4356-653: The Countryside Commission get ministerial approval to create a national route, grants will not be available for maintenance and several very desirable rights of way, where none now exist are unlikely to be created." A memorial to Trenfield in the form of a bench is on the Way near Dyrham Park . As it closely follows the scarp of the Cotswold Edge, the Cotswold Way usually affords views, mainly to

4455-651: The Dutch LF-Routes , the German D-Routes , and the British National Cycle Network , and existing general-purpose roads, together with new stretches of cycle routes to connect them. Off-road cycling can cause soil erosion and habitat destruction if not carried out on established trails. This is true when trails are wet, though overall, cycling may not have more of an impact as other trail users. In cross-country skiing,

4554-593: The Kent town of Strood , which has the same etymology. Stroud is known for its involvement in the Industrial Revolution . It was a cloth town: woollen mills were powered by the small rivers which flow through the five valleys, and supplied from Cotswold sheep which grazed on the hills above. Particularly noteworthy was the production of military uniforms in the colour Stroudwater Scarlet. Stroud became known for its production of broadcloth , which

4653-584: The Lord John public house . In 1835 the local press referred to Lord John Russell's opportunism in choosing Stroud as his new constituency as 'trying his hand in the vales of Gotham', a reference to a 1798 poem mocking Stroud residents for opening a church organ "before it could speak". "Gotham" was a popular local town nickname and "house" name at Eastcombe Manor school in the 1940s and 1950s. The long barrow at Randwick measures about 56 by 26 metres (184 by 85 ft), and stands 4 metres (13 ft) high at

4752-701: The National Parks Commission in 1953, though acknowledged and mentioned in the Commission's annual report of that year, was nevertheless pigeonholed and largely forgotten until Gloucestershire County Council prepared its recreational plan for the countryside in 1968. The County Council decided to designate a Cotswold Way route itself, using existing public rights of way, and the scheme was launched during Footpath Week in May 1970. The Way has had priority in signposting and waymarking programmes but until

4851-498: The Trans Canada Trail development emulated the successful Rails-to-Trails initiative in the United States. The Trail is multi-use and depending on the section may allow hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. A towpath is a road or path on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The original purpose of a towpath was to allow a horse, or a team of human pullers, to tow

4950-654: The US. The term trail has been used by developers and urban planners for a variety of modern paved roads , highways, and boulevards , in these countries, and some highways continue to be officially called a trail, such as the Susquehanna Trail in Pennsylvania, a designation that varies from a two-lane road to a four-lane freeway. An unusual use of the term is in the Canadian province of Alberta , which has multi-lane freeways called trails. Animals created

5049-516: The United States National Trail Classification System, equestrian trails include simple day-use bridle paths and others built to accommodate long strings of pack animals on journeys lasting many days. Trail design parameters for these uses include trail base width and material, trail clear width, trail clear height, access to water suitable for stock (not human) use, and trail routing. A footpath

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5148-513: The United States, the East Coast Greenway —3,000 mi (4,828 km) from Key West to the Canadian border — and the 11 September National Memorial Trail, a 1,300 mi (2,092 km) triangular loop connecting the three 9/11 memorial sites, are two long-distance multi-use paths for cyclists, runners, walkers, even equestrians. In Belgium RAVeL , French for réseau autonome de voies lentes ( autonomous network of slow ways ),

5247-445: The United States. The American Canoe Association has compiled a database of water trails in the United States. The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program has compiled a list of water trail resources, success stories, and statewide contacts for water trails. Shared use may be achieved by sharing a trail easement, but maintaining segregated and sometimes also separated trail treads within it. This

5346-724: The Victorian landmark Hill Paul building to be demolished. After thwarting demolition, local activists formed a company and sold enough shares at £500 each to take an option on the building, which they passed on to a local developer. The building has now been restored and converted into apartments (see photo on the right). The full records of the Hill Paul building campaign are with the Gloucestershire Archivist at D9242/Accession 11679/3. The Save Stroud Hospitals Taskforce has been campaigning since spring 2006 against

5445-468: The White Mountains of New Hampshire. The path was blazed in 1819 by Abel Crawford and his son, Ethan Allen. Originally 8.25 miles in length (now 8.5 miles), the trail leads to the summit of Mt. Washington. Trails can be located in different settings for various uses. These can include: Trail segregation, the practice of designating certain trails as having a specific preferred or exclusive use,

5544-404: The Year in 2001 and won it in 2007 and 2013. It also won the Cotswold Life magazine award for the best farmers' market in Gloucestershire in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010. The market featured in an episode of BBC TV's The Hairy Bikers ' Food Tour of Britain in September 2009, and won the Best Food Market award at the BBC Food & Farming Awards 2010. It is certified by FARMA . In addition to

5643-415: The best place to live in the UK, citing the town's abundance of green spaces, independent spirit, and high quality of schools. Stroud was named La Strode in a document of 1221, though most early records use the spelling Stroud . The Old English name Strōd refers to a "marshy land overgrown with brushwood". Although the name is now pronounced to rhyme with "proud", its original pronunciation survives in

5742-817: The boundaries of estates. These mechanisms are all possible and could apply in different cases. Rail trails or paths are shared-use paths that take advantage of abandoned railway corridors. They can be used for walking, cycling and horseback riding. They exist throughout the world. RailTrails Australia describes them as: Following the route of the railways, they cut through hills, under roads, over embankments and across gullies and creeks. Apart from being great places to walk, cycle or horse ride, rail trails are linear conservation corridors protecting native plants and animals. They often link remnant vegetation in farming areas and contain valuable flora and fauna habitat. Wineries and other attractions are near many trails as well as B&B's and other great places to stay. Most trails have

5841-727: The city of Bristol . London is 91 miles (146 km) east-southeast of Stroud and the Welsh border at Whitebrook , Monmouthshire , is 19 miles (31 km) to the west. Not part of the town itself, the civil parishes of Rodborough and Cainscross form part of Stroud's urban area. Stroud acts as a commercial centre for surrounding villages and market towns including Amberley , Bisley , Bussage , Chalford , Dursley , Eastcombe , Eastington , King's Stanley , Leonard Stanley , Minchinhampton , Nailsworth , Oakridge , Painswick , Randwick , Selsley , Sheepscombe , Slad , Stonehouse , Brimscombe & Thrupp , Whiteshill and Woodchester . In March 2021 The Sunday Times named Stroud

5940-425: The farmers' market there is a smaller market held (Fri & Sat) in The Shambles, an area adjacent to the steep High Street. John Wesley preached from a butcher's block in The Shambles on 26 June 1742. The Old Town Hall is one of the oldest existing buildings in Stroud: originally referred to as the market house, it was built in 1596 and is still in occasional use today. "There was a school at Stroud in 1576 but

6039-405: The first trails, which were "later adapted by humans". Subsequently, farmers moved cattle to market along drove roads and between winter and summer grazing creating trails. More recently, former industrial routes, such as railway rights of way and canal towpaths , have been turned into recreational trails. Many historic routes, like the Silk Road , the Amber Road and the Royal Road of

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6138-404: The founding of Marling School in 1889 and Stroud High School which was founded in 1904 as the Girls' Endowed School. They continued to be grammar schools long after the comprehensive school became the norm in secondary education , and their future was the subject of long-running controversy. The two schools previously shared a mixed sixth form , called the Downfield Sixth Form, which worked in

6237-411: The grounds of the house at Brown's Hill, one mile north of Stroud, suggesting the existence of a Roman villa. Remains of another Roman villa have been found in the parish of Painswick, on a farm called Highfield, about 1 ⁄ 2 mile (800 metres) northwest of the town. Walls were found, crossing one another at right angles; also many flue tiles, and some Roman coins. It was opened some years ago in

6336-429: The high country [mountains]". Walkway is used similarly in St. John's, Newfoundland , Canada, where the " Grand Concourse ", is an integrated walkway system. In the United Kingdom, the term trail is in common usage. Longer distance walking routes, and government-promoted long-distance paths, collectively known as National Trails , are also frequently called ways as in the Pennine Way and South Downs Way . Generally,

6435-415: The landscape and nature associated with the Romantic movement . In earlier times, walking generally indicated poverty and was associated with vagrancy. In previous centuries long walks were undertaken as part of religious pilgrimages and this tradition continues throughout the world. The first footpath built specifically for recreational hiking in America, and likely the world, is the Crawford Path in

6534-511: The late Cyril Trenfield of the South Gloucestershire area were principals. Although recognised as a suitable route for a National Trail in due course, the path was initially sponsored by Gloucestershire County Council , who had no powers of footpath creation, and so used only existing rights of way. An early guide to the Way, in the hand-drawn pictorial style of Alfred Wainwright , was produced by another Cheltenham-area rambler, Mark Richards, in 1973. The foreword from Tony Drake says: "... it

6633-418: The main displays there is a modern extension which includes a purpose-built art gallery showing a varied programme of exhibitions. Behind this is a contemporary walled garden. The Redlers industrial estate is the site of the original Dudbridge Mills, beside the River Frome. From the mid-18th century onwards it housed the three mills of Daniel Chance: one corn, one gig and a dyehouse with eight drying racks. It

6732-405: The massive Roman invasion on Minchinhampton Common . Survivors eventually fled to the north. Some earthworks, known as 'the Bulwarks', and the Longstone of Minchinhampton are evidence of these ancient fortifications. Woodchester Roman Villa is one of many Roman villas discovered in Gloucestershire and was occupied between the early 2nd and late 4th centuries AD. There is now nothing visible of

6831-471: The multiple environmental and trail conservation efforts by ORV groups will mitigate these issues. Groups such as the BlueRibbon Coalition advocate Treadlightly, which is the responsible use of public lands used for off-road activities. Noise pollution is also a concern, and several studies conducted by Montana State University , California State University , the University of Florida and others have cited possible negative behavioral changes in wildlife as

6930-491: The network. In England and Wales a bridleway is a trail intended for use by equestrians, but walkers also have a right of way , and Section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 , permits the riding of bicycles (but not motor-cycles) on public bridleways, though the act says it "shall not create any obligation to facilitate the use of the bridleway by cyclists". Thus the right to cycle exists even though it may be difficult to exercise on occasion, especially in winter. Cyclists using

7029-415: The north and west—starting in the south with the Severn Estuary and Severn bridges , the meanders of the River Severn above Sharpness , the Forest of Dean , the Welsh hills of Monmouthshire and the Black Mountains on the Welsh border to the west. The distinctive shape of May Hill is visible for much of the route, as is the long spine of the Malvern Hills . Gloucester Cathedral can be seen from

7128-422: The north-east end. Excavations in 1883 found a round barrow opening to the north-east, from which there was access to a simple square chamber of one cell containing disarticulated human remains. Traces of the chamber can still be seen, although it is not accessible. Additional burials were found adjacent to the barrow on the south-west side. The Iron Age tribesmen of Gloucestershire made their final stand against

7227-554: The objectives was to develop a trail that linked up the brumby tracks, mustering and stock routes along the Great Dividing Range, thus providing an opportunity to legally ride the routes of stockmen and drovers who once travelled these areas with pack horses . This Trail provides access to some of the wildest, most remote country in the world. The Bicentennial National Trail is suitable for self-reliant horse riders, fit walkers and mountain bike riders. Within

7326-470: The path such as logs. The Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) in Australia is one of the longest marked multi-use trail in the world, stretching 5,330 km (3,312 mi) from Cooktown, Queensland , through New South Wales to Healesville, Victoria . This trail runs the length of the rugged Great Dividing Range through national parks , private property and alongside of wilderness areas . One of

7425-510: The path. Further north on the path, above Cheltenham , there are old quarries containing rock features such as the Devil's Chimney at Leckhampton . After Cleeve Hill the escarpment starts to turn to the east, giving views across the Vale of Evesham . The classic Cotswold villages of Stanton and Stanway are visited, then Broadway village , before the final steep ascent to Broadway Tower and

7524-680: The result of some ORV use. Several US states such as Washington have laws to reduce noise generated by off-road and non-highway vehicles. Water trails , also referred to as blueways or paddling trails, are marked routes on navigable waterways such as rivers , lakes , canals and coastlines for people using small non-motorized boats such as kayaks , canoes , rafts , or rowboats . Some trails may be suitable for float tubing or developed in concert with motorized use. They include: signs and route markers; maps; facilities for parking, boat ramps or docks, and places to camp and picnic. There are also state programs and other promotion for water trails in

7623-679: The right-of-way to the entire railway system. The Confederation Trail was developed as a tip-to-tip walking/cycling gravel rail trail which doubles as a monitored and groomed snowmobile trail during the winter months, operated by the PEI Snowmobile Association. A considerable part of the Trans Canada trail is repurposed defunct rail lines donated to provincial governments by the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways rebuilt as walking trails. Much of

7722-430: The rule that a permit was required to give access to a towpath, and began to encourage leisure usage by walkers, anglers and in some areas, cyclists. The British Waterways Act 1995 still did not enshrine any right of public access, although it did encourage recreational access of all kinds to the network, although the steady development of the leisure use of the canals and the decline of commercial traffic had resulted in

7821-552: The scenic descent to Chipping Campden . On a clear day, the Clee Hills near Ludlow can be seen, 60 miles (97 km) to the northwest. The 102-mile (164 km) trail runs northeast from Bath to Chipping Campden , through or near to the following towns: Old Sodbury , near Chipping Sodbury , Wotton-under-Edge , Dursley , Stroud , Painswick , Cranham , Leckhampton , Cheltenham , Winchcombe , Stanway and Broadway . It passes numerous places of interest, including

7920-709: The schoolmaster, who did not have a licence and failed to teach the catechism, was then dismissed..." There are six primary schools in the town: Schools in surrounding areas include Further schools include Amberley Parochial School, Nailsworth School and Woodchester School. There are three secondary schools in Stroud. Archway School is a County Council maintained comprehensive school offering an 11-to-18 education for children in Stroud, Rodborough and Cainscross. There are also two state-funded selective schools, Marling School and Stroud High School . These former grant-maintained and foundation schools became academies in 2011. Both schools can trace their history back to

8019-492: The service in 2008 and up to £25,000 for 2009. In November 2008 it was confirmed that Stroud has become only the second place in Britain to save one of its Post Offices. In September 2010 the BNP scrapped plans to move their national media centre to Stroud after protests by local residents. In February 2012 NHS managers agreed to halt plans for Stroud General Hospital to be run by a social enterprise after local residents mounted

8118-769: The site of the Battle of Lansdowne , the Somerset Monument , the Tyndale Monument , Sudeley Castle , Cleeve Hill , Hailes Abbey , and the Broadway Tower . With the exception of a small stretch around Broadway (which is in Worcestershire), the entire walk is within Gloucestershire (including South Gloucestershire ) and Somerset (including Bath and North East Somerset ). Download coordinates as: Trail A trail , also known as

8217-532: The surface being improved. In France it is possible to cycle, rollerblade , and hike along the banks of the Canal du Midi . A paved stretch of 50 km (31 mi) from Toulouse to Avignonet-Lauragais and another 12 km (7.5 mi) between Béziers and Portiragnes are particularly suited to cycling and rollerblading. It is possible to cycle or walk the entire Canal des Deux Mers from Sète to Bordeaux . Other French canals provide walkers "with many excellent routes, as they are always accompanied by

8316-425: The term footpath is preferred for pedestrian routes, including long-distance trails, and is used for urban paths and sometimes in place of pavement . Track is used for wider paths (wide enough for vehicles), often used for hiking. The terms bridleway , byway , restricted byway are all recognised legal terms and to a greater or lesser extent in general usage. The increased popularity of mountain biking has led to

8415-553: The top of the mountain. EuroVelo bicycle routes are a network of (currently 17) long-distance cycling routes criss-crossing Europe in various stages of completion; more than 90,000 km (55,923 mi) was in place by 2020. EuroVelo is a project of the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF). EuroVelo routes can be used for bicycle touring across the continent, and by local people making short journeys. The routes comprise both existing national bike routes , such as

8514-607: The town centre. Stroud High Street Action Group, with some rooftop protests and a high court judgement, demonstrated against this. The restored buildings are now a feature of the High Street. After a short occupation a compromise was reached in the demolition of buildings in Cornhill with many being saved, including one identified as a medieval house. This campaign led to the formation of the Stroud Preservation Trust which has been instrumental in saving many of

8613-456: The town of Stroud. The narrowest definition is the parish, which had a population of 13,259 in 2011 and only includes the town centre and inner suburban areas. The urban subdivision had a population of 32,670 and includes many suburbs often considered part of the town. The urban area, which includes Stonehouse that has a largely separate identity, and other surrounding villages had a population of 60,155. Despite its extensive urban area, Stroud

8712-546: The town's oldest buildings such as Withey's house, the Brunel Goods Shed and the Hill Paul building. In 1989 Stroud District Council tried to fell at midnight thirteen trees in Stratford Park near the road, which attracted national and international attention. Local Save The Trees campaigners had got in position first and prevented the felling, which was intended to allow road-widening. Campaigners occupied

8811-570: The towpaths were deemed to be private, for the benefit of legitimate users of the canal. The nationalisation of the canal system in 1948 did not result in the towpaths becoming public rights of way, and subsequent legislation, such as the Transport Act of 1968, which defined the government's obligations to the maintenance of the inland waterways for which it was now responsible, did not include any commitment to maintain towpaths for use by anyone. Ten years later British Waterways started to relax

8910-527: The trees for the next six weeks while, with the help of Friends of the Earth, introducing the County Surveyor to 'traffic calming' which he agreed to adopt instead of changing the road alignment. During the next five years County Surveyors' figures showed a fifty per cent decrease in accidents along this part of Stratford Road. The trees still survive. In 2000 Stroud District Council gave permission for

9009-720: The use of less traditional trails. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in the US has established the Active Living by Design program to improve the livability of communities in part through developing trails, The Upper Valley Trails Alliance in Vermont has done similar work on traditional trails, while the Somerville Community Path in Somerville, Massachusetts , and related paths, are examples of urban initiatives. In St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

9108-702: The villa above ground and the site is occupied by a churchyard. The villa's most famous feature is the Orpheus mosaic, the second largest of its kind in Europe and one of the most intricate. It dates to c.  325 CE and was re-discovered by Gloucestershire-born antiquarian Samuel Lysons in 1793. It has been uncovered seven times since 1880, the last time in 1973, but there are no plans to reveal it again. It depicts Orpheus charming all forms of life with his lyre and has been praised for its accuracy and beauty. In 1979, several portions of Roman tessellated pavement, Roman tiles, coins, pottery, etc. were discovered in

9207-685: The wider district. The average household size was 2.4. Of those aged 16–74, 24.5% had no academic qualifications, lower than the national average of 28.9%. Of those aged 16–74, 2.6% were unemployed and 28.4% were economically inactive. At the 2011 census, 107,026 people were described as white British, plus 591 being from the Irish Republic. 2,752 were white other, 364 Caribbean, 129 African, 429 Asian and 300 other Asian, all from mixed multiple ethnic groups. Of these, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh accounted for 258 people. Chinese and Arab people accounted for 226 people. There are two definitions for

9306-627: Was 13,500 in 2021. Sited below the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills , at the meeting point of the Five Valleys , the town is noted for its steep streets. The Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounds the town, and the Cotswold Way path passes by it to the west. It lies 10 miles (16 km) south of the city of Gloucester , 14 miles (23 km) south-southwest of Cheltenham , 13 miles (21 km) west-northwest of Cirencester and 26 miles (42 km) north-east of

9405-553: Was acquired in 1794 by John Apperley, whose family used the site for wool- and cloth-making for the next 140 years. In 1801 an industrial accident killed a young worker. Stroud citizens have a history of protest going back to the Stroudwater Riots of 1825. In the late 1970s Stroud Campaign Against The Ringroad prevented Gloucestershire County Council's attempt to introduce new traffic plans. A few years later Stroud District Council tried to demolish 18th-century buildings in

9504-408: Was first recorded in 1221. The church was built by 1279, and it was assigned parochial rights by the rectors of Bisley in 1304, often cited as the date of Stroud's foundation. Historic buildings and places of interest in the area include the neolithic long barrows at Uley , Selsley Common and Nympsfield to the west; Roman era remains at Frocester , West Hill near Uley, and Woodchester ;

9603-472: Was founded in 1999 to link the past and present of textiles in the Five Valleys and to manage the opening of several mills in which historic textile machinery, including a working waterwheel, has been restored and is demonstrated. The Trust has produced a DVD, Rivers of Cloth , using archive film and interviews which was due to be released in early 2011 and a photographic survey of surviving woollen mills

9702-474: Was undertaken for a book, Wool and Water , published in 2012. The Subscription Rooms at the centre of the town centre provide a venue for a variety of entertainment. There is also a small theatre, the Cotswold Playhouse, which is home to the amateur Cotswold Players; it occasionally hosts visiting professional companies. On the fringes of the town are Stratford Park , originally the park of

9801-491: Was widely known as "Stroud cloth" and traded around the world. The area became home to a sizable Huguenot community in the 17th century, fleeing from persecution in Catholic France, followed by a significant Jewish presence in the 19th century, linked to the tailoring and cloth industries. There were two synagogues by 1889, but these became disused by around 1908. Stroud was an industrial and trading location in

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