LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME!! FEEL THE FREEDOM!!
REDUCE YOUR CARBON EMISSIONS TOO!!
DAY TRIPS FROM STROUD BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Information compiled by Carol Mathews
Bus times & routes are correct as at May 2007 do phone / check websites for up to date info: Ebley Coaches: 01453 839333 Traveline: 0871 200 2233 or http://www.traveline.org.uk/index.htm
Bus times are for Mon-Sat unless stated otherwise. Most buses dont run on Sundays (the 46 to Cheltenham is an exception.) (E) = bus run by Ebley Coaches; (S) = bus run by Stagecoach
NB if you are going any distance it is often cheaper to get Stagecoaches Dayrider (currently £3) though it doesnt work on Ebley buses!!
JUST WALK!
The Heavens & the stream for children to play in & rope swing
The river Frome at Capel Mill follow path opposite the back entrance to Waitrose (i.e. across ring road) beautiful (look out for work to restore the canal!)
Stroud Open Air Pool (not heated), at Stratford Park.
Out along Summer Street (could get bus no. 25 (from Cornhill @ 1030, 1340, 1600) to the end to save some walking (back from Summer Cres. @ 0845, 1115, 1425, 1655)) then follow permissive path to right of road all the way along to Swifts Hill
Rodborough Common
Stratford Park (especially summer Sundays when there is a brass band and miniature railway!)
CYCLE PATH To Nailsworth safe for children
BY BUS OR TRAIN: EASY!
Walks on Rodborough and Minchinhampton Commons
Just walk or use bus 28 or 29 leave Merrywalks at 0842(M-Sat), 0931(M-F), 0941(Sat), 1011(Sat), 1042(M-Sat), 1231(M-F), 1242(M-Sat), 1411(Sat), 1442(M-F), 1436(M-F), 1552(Sat), 1652(M-F), 1711(M-Sat), 1717(Sat), 1752(M-F), 1817(Sat
Returns from Minchinhampton Market Square at 1010(Sat), 1018(M-F), 1043(M-F), 1138(Sat), 1218(M-Sat), 1343(M-F), 1418(M-Sat), 1505(M-F), 1538(Sat), 1618(Sat), 1738(M-F), 1808(M-F), 1818(Sat)
Walk from Nympsfield to Nailsworth (down Miry Brook!) all downhill!
Bus no. 35 (E) leaves Stroud Cornhill at 0950 and 1305 Buses 40, 46, & 93 from Nailsworth
Walk from Nympsfield to Inchbrook (via Woodchester Park & mansion) again all downhill!
Buses as above
Could do either of the above 2 walks uphill and have early lunch at the Rose & Crown at Nympsield: Buses 40, 46 & 93 (all S) along A46 Bus 35 (E) from Rose & Crown at 1320
Walk from Kingscote to Horsley (& on to Nailsworth?) downhill!
Bus 40 (S) from Merrywalks at 0815, 1020, 1225, 1425, 1630(Sat only), 1640(bus 93 M-F), 1730(M-F) arrives Kingscote approx 30 mins later Walk back across fields and beautiful Horsley Wood into Horsley (about 3 kms) could get bus 40 back from here at 1121, 1326, 1526, 1731(Sat), 1831(M-F) Or walk on down to Washpool and down the valley to Ruskin Mill (organic cafι!) and little way along road then alleys into Nailsworth get any of buses 40, 46 or 93 back to Stroud (last one at 1917)
Walks based around Bisley:
Walk up bus back
Bus up walk back (through Lypiatts)
Bus up & walk down Toadsmoor Valley to Toadsmoor Road (at bottom near A419))
Bus up & circular walk (e.g. to Oakridge) bus back
Bus no. 25 (E) leaves Stroud Cornhill at 1030, 1340, 1600 Bus no. 25 leaves Oakridge school at 0830, 1100, 1410, 1640 And leaves Bisley, Bear Inn 7 mins later
Bus 26 / 26A (S) leave Toadsmoor Road at approx 23 & 53 mins past each hour from 0923 until 1553 then 1653 and every 23 & 53 until 1923 (M-F) [23 past each hour from 0923 until 1923 (Sat)] (these times are for earlier stop at Thomas Keble School)
Walk from Oakridge to Daneway Inn (for lunch) and back down canal to Chalford playpark & river good for children and Chalford Community PO (for tea!) then bus back
Bus no. 25 (E), as above to Oakridge, leaves Stroud Cornhill at 1030, 1340, 1600 Buses 54/54A (E) from Chalford (at the bottom of Marle Hill) at 1214, 1514, 1637, 1802 (M-F) [1332, 1732 (Sat)]
Similar to above bus to France Lynch (option of lunch at Kings Head) either walk along the top to Oakridge and then down into valley, or drop down one of the many footpaths into the Frome valley and walk back to Chalford (tea at PO!) and then bus back
Bus 26 (S) leaves Stroud Merrywalks at 15 & 45 mins past each hour from 0915 until 1845 - no bus at 1545 (M-F) [xx45 from 0745 until 1845 1845 (Sat)]
Buses 54/54A from Chalford see above
Other Frome Valley walks
(could include west end of Sapperton canal tunnel (very pretty) Bus 54 / 54A (E) from Stroud at 0721, 1111, 1411, 1651 goes along A419 and into Frampton & Sapperton walk from either of these down to Frome river and back along to Chalford (dont forget that tea at the Community PO!) Buses back from Chalford see above
Tunnel House Inn (east end of Sapperton canal tunnel)
Bus 28 from Stroud at 0931, 1231 arrives Coates 1006, 1306 (M-F) [on Sats leave Stroud at 1011 and 1221 and arrive Coates at 10556 and 1250] Walk along footpath to Tunnel House Inn (could extend walk along Monarchs Way and Thames Path to source of the Thames and Kemble train station for train back to Stroud at 1406 (1425 Sats), 1505 (1525 Sats), 1606 (1625 Sats), 1708 (1725 Sats), 1806 (1825 Sats), 1908 (1930 Sats), 2008, 2038 (not Sats), 2107 (2130 Sats), 2206 (2305 Sats), 2347 (! not Sats) arrive Stroud 15 mins later) Return bus 28 or 54A from Coates at 1327, 1559, 1632, 1742 arrive Stroud 1406, 1631, 1704, 1814 (M-F) [return buses on Sats at 1313, 1518, 1713]
Bus to Painswick and then walk back (via Swifts Hill? Via Slad & pub?)
Bus 46 leaves Merrywalks at xx40 every hour from 0840 until 1940 (Mon-Sat) [0940, 1040, 1210, 1310, 1510, 1610 on Sundays] gets to Painswick 9 mins later
Days out in Gloucester (docks / cathedral, G1 pool etc)
Bus 93 from Stroud every hour at xx10 and back from Gloucester at xx00 until 1500 then 1610, 1640, 1710, 1735, 1800, 1935 (M-F) [return on Sats = xx00 until 1800 then 1935]
Days out in Cheltenham (including the heated open air Lido (get off bus as for general hospital and walk through hospital grounds its just round the back!))
Bus no 46 (S) leaves Stroud Merrywalks every hour at xx40 from 0840 until 1940 [also Sundays 0940, 1040, 1210, 1310, 1510, 1610] Returns from Cheltenham at xx25 from 0825 until 2025 [also Sundays 1025, 1125, 1325, 1425, 1555, 1705]
Slad Valley, Snows Farm, Frith Wood (Wildlife Trust reserves), walks around Sheepscombe and Miserden ; walk from Fostons Ash down to Sheepscombe; walk from Caudle Green to Miserden; from Whiteway to Caudle Green many options
Follow Cotswold Way from Birdlip to Cranham and meet bus 46 on the A46
Bus 23 (E) Thursdays only from Stroud Cornhill 0850 Merrywalks 0852 goes to Slad, Sheepscombe (0905), The Camp, Bisley, Miserden (0936), Whiteway, Fostons Ash, Caudle Green, Brimpsfield (1001), Birdlip, Cheltenham (1026)
Return bus from Cheltenham at 1315, Birdlip (1333), Brimpsfield (1340), Caudle Green (1343), Fostons Ash (1359), Whiteway (1401), Miserden (1405), The Camp (1409 & 1425), Bisley (1417), Sheepscombe (1434), Slad (1440) and back to Stroud at 1443
Walk bits of the Cotswolds Way
Buses direct from Stroud serve a variety of places along the Cotswold Way: Bath (bus 620); Old Sodbury (620); Wotton (40); Dursley (20); Leonard Stanley & Kings Stanley (14); Ebley (20); Randwick & Ruscombe (230 4 buses per day); Whiteshill & Edge (93); Painswick, along A46 and Cranham turn (46); Cheltenham (46)
BY BUS / TRAIN MORE AMBITIOUS
Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Or hire a canalboat for the day
Or hire bicycles and cycle along the canal
Bus 20 (S) from Merrywalks hourly at xx30 from 0930 until 1430, then 1525 & 1630 (M-F) [xx20 from 0720 until 1720 on Sats] Get off at Cambridge and follow footpaths across fields (2.5kms) to Shepherds Patch on canal then walk down road (1km) to WWT. Walk back to Cambridge for return bus 20 at xx33 from 0933 until 1533 then 1643, 1733, 1831 (last) (M-F) [xx23 from 0823 until 1723 then 1831 (Sats)]
Hunts Court Garden (beautiful & great for picnics)
Open 9-5 Tues-Sat £2 entrance
Also has lovely plants for sale
Mon & Weds:
Bus 20 (S) to Dursley from Merrrywalks at 0820 (direct to Uley arrives 0907), 0930 or 1130 or1230 arrive Dursley at 1010 or 1210 or 1310
Bus 284 (E) from Dursley at 0950 or 1235 or 1335 arrive Uley 1000 or 1245 or 1345
Walk
Either circular and get bus 284 back from Uley: 1025, 1310, 1410 bus 20 from Dursley at 1120, 1320, 1420 arrive Stroud at 1205, 1405, 1505
Or walk through, via Owlpen to B4058 by Pyke Quarry and get bus 40 at approx 1116, 1321, 1521, 1826 arrive Stroud 1145, 1350, 1550, 1855
Tues, Thurs & Fri
Bus 20 (S) to Dursley from Merrrywalks at 0820 (direct to Uley arrives 0907), 0930 or 1130 arrive Dursley at 1010 or 1210
Bus 285 (E) from Dursley at 1030 or 1245 arrive Uley 1034 or 1249
Walk
Either circular and get bus back from Uley: 1037 (1040 at Dursley), 1252 (1255 at Dursley) - bus 20 from Dursley at 1120 & 1320 arrive Stroud 1205 & 1405
(1620 & 1810 bus 20 from Uley direct to Stroud arriving 1715 & 1910)
Or walk through, via Owlpen to B4058 by Pyke Quarry and get bus 40 at approx 1116, 1321, 1521, 1826 arrive Stroud 1145, 1350, 1550, 1855
Sat
Bus 20 (S) to Dursley leaves Merrrywalks at 0920 or 1120 - arrives Dursley at 1000 or 1200
Bus 285 (E) from Dursley at 1030 or 1200(!?)
Return bus 285 from Uley at 1207 arrives Dursley at 1210 bus 20 at 1210(!?) from Dursley arrives Stroud 1255 (or 1310 arrives 1355)
Or walk through, via Owlpen to B4058 by Pyke Quarry and get bus 40 at approx 1116, 1321, 1521, 1726 arrive Stroud 1145, 1350, 1550, 1755
Forest of Dean
Dean Valley Railway (steam)
Take your bikes on the trains & cycle the trails through the forest
Cycle to Lydbrook organic cafι on Thurs / Fri / Sat / Sun in summer
Train from Stroud 1021 (M-F) (dep on 0940 on Sat) arrives Lydney 1117 (M-Sat) (change at Gloucester) walk short distance to Lydney Junction on the DFR DFR train from Lydney Junction at 1140 generally run trains on Weds, Sats & Suns in the summer [check their website http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/ or phone 01594 845840] get off at Norchard to see DFR centre or travel on to Parkend (1211) for access directly to forest trails [on Sundays first train from Stroud is at 1141 arrives Lydney 1252 get 1344 on DFR arrive Parkend at 1415]
Last trains back: 1600 from Parkend arrives 1631 at Lydney Junction 1658 (M-Sat) from Lydney mainline gets you back to Stroud at 1759 (1719 on Sat) [on Sundays mainline train leaves Lydney at 1716 and gets you to Stroud at 1835]
Days out in the North Cotswolds:
Beautiful walks & villages, e.g. Northleach, Bourton-on-the-water; Upper & Lower Slaughter (walk between Slaughters and Bourton is lovely); Stow-on-the-Wold (make a weekend of it and stay at the YHA?); Moreton-in-the-Marsh (& 3km walk to Batsford arboretum); Chedworth Roman Villa (NT 5 kms walk from bus stop at Fossebridge).
NB Buses on Sundays dont work
3 possibilities:
!!!!1) VIA CIRENCESTER
Bus 28 (E) leaves Merrywalks at 0931 & arrives Cirencester 1017; then bus 855 (Pulhams Coaxches) at 1030 from Cirencester goes to Fossebridge, Northleach (1050), Bourton (1105), Stow (1115), Moreton (1125).
Or later bus 54 (E) leaves Stroud at 1111 & arrives Cirencester 1146; then bus 855 from Cirencester at 1200 goes to Fossebridge, Northleach (1220), Bourton (1235), Stow (1245), Moreton (1255).
Return on bus 855 from Moreton (1515), Stow (1525), Bourton (1535), Northleach (1550), Fossebridge, to Cirencester 1611 could stay on bus to Kemble train station (1622) and then get train at 1708 back to Stroud at 1724); or get bus from Cirencester at 1626 (check this time paper timetable & internet disagree!!) back to Merrywalks 1704
2) TO BOURTON, SLAUGHTERS, STOW OR MORETON VIA CHELTENHAM
Bus 46 (S) to Cheltenham every hour at xx40 from Merrywalks arrives Cheltenham yy20
Bus 801 (Pulhams Coaches) leaves Cheltenham at 0900, 1030, [1145 on Sats only goes via Naunton & Upper Slaughter (not Bourton & Lower) to Stow (1240) & Moreton (1300)], 1205 [only to Bourton on Sats], 1410, 1530, 1655 [not Sats] and arrives at Bourton (40 mins later), Lower Slaughter, Stow (50 mins), Moreton (60 mins)
Return via bus 801 from Moreton (1045, 1310, 1535, 1645 [1645 not Sats], via Stow (10-20 mins later), Bourton (25-35 mins) and back in Cheltenham at 1150, 1420, 1635, 1750.
Then bus 46 at 1225, 1425, 1735, 1835 to get to Stroud at 1305, 1505, 1815, 1915
3) TO NORTHLEACH (& THENCE WALK TO CHEDWORTH?) VIA CHELTENHAM
Bus 46 (S) to Cheltenham every hour at xx40 from Merrywalks arrives Cheltenham yy20
Bus 833 or 853 (Swanbrook) leaves Cheltenham at 1030, 1100, 1300, 1740 and gets to Northleach 30-50 mins later
Return on bus 833 from Northleach at 1350 or 1820 [1115, 1415 or 1820 on Sats only] to get to Cheltenham at 1423 or 1848 [1204, 1445, 1848 on Sats]
The bus 46 at 1425 (?) or 1525 or 1925 to arrive at Merrywalks at 1505 (?), 1605 or 2005
Lineover Wood (Woodland Trust) with some ancient trees, lovely meadows and great views (its steep) great for picnics
Bus 46 to Cheltenham (see above)
Then any of buses 801, 833, 853 (at 1030, 1100, [+ 1145 on Sats only], 1205, 1300, 1410) along A40 to Dowdeswell Reservoir get off at Reservoir Inn and entrance to wood is just past Inn on right of A40.
Buses back from Reservoir Inn soon after [1335 & 1351 on Sats only], 1402, 1405, 1412 [not Sats], [1434 on Sats only], 1620, 1735 (these times are at Dowdeswell turn on A40) arrive in Cheltenham
The bus 46 back to Stroud, leaves Cheltenham at xx25 and arrives at yy05
Burford & Windrush valley
Can get off bus before or after Burford and walk part of the Windrush river (Windrush Way footpath) and join bus elsewhere
Bus 46 from Merrywalks at 0940 arrives Cheltenham 1020 have a coffee, then
Bus 853 (heading along A40 to Oxford) leaves Cheltenham at 1100 and arrives at Burford at 1145
Return on bus 853 at 1845 from Burford, arrive Cheltenham 1925 (just miss 1925 to Stroud) & get bus 46 at 2025 to Stroud at 2105
Day out in Oxford
Quicker by train:
Leave Stroud xx20 arrive Oxford 1 hour 40 mins later
Leave Oxford M-F: 1555, 1653, 1751, 1921, 1955, 2055, 2153 (last)\\ and arrive Stroud 1 hour 30 mins later [2hours for the last train]
Leave Oxford (Sats): 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 2020, 2153 (last)\\
Sundays: leave Stroud at 0940, 1040, 1151, 1215, 1348 arrive Oxford 1204, 1304, 1327, 1425, 1527
Leave Oxford at 1438, 1536, 1606 (slow), 1738, 1838, 1938, 2038, 2138
And arrive Stroud 1623, 1714, 1920 (slow), 1921, 1952, 2115, 2223, 2326
Avebury via Swindon
Train to Swindon, leaves Stroud at 0920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 & arrives Swindon 31 mins later, i.e. xx51
Bus 49 (Stagecoach Wiltshire) leaves Swindon train station at xx07 from 1007 until 1407 & arrives in Avebury 26 mins later, i.e. xx33
Return on bus 49 from Avebury at xx29 from 0929 to 1629 and then 1739, 1829, 1929, 2024 arriving at Swindon train station 26 mins later (i.e. xx57 for the xx29s)
Trains from Swindon to Stroud at 1252, 1352, 1452, 1552, 1654, 1752, 1854, 1953, 2024, 2053 (i.e. bad connection 55 mins wait at Swindon!) takes about 30 mins back to Stroud
Arlington / Bibury\\
And Coln valley walks
NB can travel out to Fossebridge (see North Cotswolds above) and then walk down river to Arlington / Bibury and get 860 back
Bus 28 (E) 0931 from Merrywalks arrives Cirencester 1017
Bus 860 (E) 1045 from Cirencester arrives Arlington & Bibury 1100
Return on bus 860 from Bibury at 1405 / 1607 / 1705 arrives Cirencester 1420 / 1622 / 1720 bus 54 or 54A at 1451 / 1626 (!) / 1736 arrives Stroud 1526 / 1704 / 1814
Buses dont work on Sats
Tetbury (antique shops) / Westonbirt Arboretum / Bath (lots!)
Bus 29 from Merrywalks at 0842, 1042, 1242 arrives Tetbury 0913, 1113, 1313.
Stay on bus in Tetbury and it changes to bus 620 arrives Westonbirt 0924, 1124, 1324 and Bath 1035, 1235, 1435
Return from Bath: 1245 (M-Sat), 1630 (M-F)
From Westonbirt: 1152 (M-Sat), 1352 (M-Sat), 1741 (M-F)
From Tetbury: 1159(M-Sat), 1359 (M-Sat), 1748 (M-F)
Arrive Stroud 1233(M-Sat), 1433 (M-Sat), or 1823 (M-F)