Outdoor Activities
There is so much to do in the Stroud District! The very fact that it combines the lofty heights of the South Cotswolds with the undulating lowland area of the Severn Vale means that there is a great contrast in land-heights.
The Cotswolds countryside to the east offers high ground, with steep hillsides and stunning views - ideal for walking, fairly strenuous cycling, kite-flying, gliding, golfing, horse-riding or simply gazing at the stunning views.
But many prefer the lower, flatter countryside of the Severnside villages - where walking and cycling are much easier, and often more suited to family groups, and the sudden sight of the River Severn or the Gloucester / Sharpness Canal can catch you unaware.
Whatever your fitness level - your individual tastes - or your budget, there will be something to suit you in the Stroud District. We hope that the following information will provide you with all the contacts you need to make your visit really worthwhile!
Activity Contact Details
BALLOONING
| Ballooning in the Cotswolds As one of the leading providers of Hot Air Balloon Flights in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. We are the only operator carrying out regular passenger flights from Stroud, launching from Stratford Park Leisure Centre. t: 01285 885 848 http://www.ballooninginthecotswolds.co.uk |
| Virgin Balloon Flights The UKs biggest hot air balloon operator. 100 sites UK wide. All year, weather permitting. Vouchers available. Bookings taken via website. Tel: 0870 4442768 sales@virginballoonflights.co.uk http://www.virginballoonflights.co.uk |
BOAT TRIPS
| Cotswold Canals Trust Operate boat trips aboard "Perseverence" on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Saul Junction Heritage Centre. Operating from Easter to September. Various routes and fares. Also skippered charter boat trips by arrangement throughout the year (subject to availability). 07929 980670 http://www.cotswoldcanals.com |
| Glevum Boat Hire At Slimbridge Boat Station. Self Hire on Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Phone to book. 01453 899190 |
| Gloucester Leisure Cruises (part of National Waterways Museum) run a number of boat trips from Gloucester docks. "Queen Boadicea II", a former Dunkirk "little ship" provides visitors with a 45-minute trip along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Longer trips are available aboard the cruiser "King Arthur". Tel: 01452 318200 |
CLASSIC CAR HIRE
| Classic Motoring Self-drive hire of classic Jaguar E-Type convertibles. Explore the Cotswolds in a classic open-top car. Gift vouchers available. Tel: 01452 864050 info@classicmotoring.co.uk http://www.classicmotoring.co.uk |
CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING
| Stroud & District Clay Shooting Club, Bisley Corporate days and individual tuition by arrangement. Archery also available. Club with regular fixtures. Full catering if required. 01453 731389 07900 317163 tim@tctshootingservices.co.uk http://www.stroudclayshootingclub.co.uk |
CYCLE AND WALKING HOLIDAYS
| Compass Holidays (based in Cheltenham). Cycling & walking holidays & short breaks in the Cotswolds. Cycle hire. Open all year. Tel: 01242 250642 http://www.compass-holidays.com |
| Cotswold Walking Holidays (based in Cheltenham). Company offering walking holidays & specialising in the Cotswolds. Self-guided routes + Cotswold Way. Private groups a speciality. Guides available. Tel: 01242 254353 http://www.cotswoldwalks.com |
| The Albion Service Up Hatherley, Cheltenahm.GL51 3TW Tel: 01242 254771 |
CYCLE HIRE
| Slimbridge Boat Station Slimbridge. Mountain bikes, trailer bikes, baby & children seats. Full day £14, half day £10, up to 2 hours £5. (Group discounts). Hot & cold refreshments available. 01453 899190 |
| Stonehouse Accessories Ltd 18 High Street, Stonehouse. Tel: 01453 822881 |
CYCLE REPAIRS
| Cycle Clinic Nailsworth (Bath Road). Contact: Jeff and Gill Ward Tel: 01453 835200 |
| Cytek Westward Road, Stroud - Bike Parts and Repairs Contact: 01453 753330 |
| Noahs Ark, Chalford Tel: 01453 884738 |
CYCLING
| Stonehouse Wheelers A friendly cycling club which cycles on Sunday afternoons - in quiet country lanes for approx 20-40 miles - stopping at pre-arranged venes for tea & cakes. 01453 763902 http://www.stonehousewheelers.org.uk |
DIVING
| Stroud Valley Sub-Aqua Club Scuba Diving and Snorkeling with a friendly and very successful club. Learning with committed instructors and fellow members in a safe and relaxed environment. Socializing with friends and sharing a common interest. Young and old (8 to 80+) can join. For general enquiries email Dave King at diving.officer@stroudbsac.org. http://www.stroudbsac.org |
| Sub Gloucester Sub Aqua Club Sub Aqua is a branch of the BSAC and has approximately 30 members including trainees, Sport Dive Leaders and Instructors. OUr members are from Dursley, Stroud and the rest of Gloucestershire, but all are welcome. Pauline or Dave on 01453 544515 Dave on 01453 757600 e: info@bsacdiver.org.uk http://www.bsacdiver.org.uk |
GAME FISHING
| Lechlade & Bushyleaze Trout Fisheries Open for Day Ticket fly fishing. Day tickets from £25-£47.50. Fly fishing tuition. Boat hire. Facilities for the disabled. Open all year. Tel: 01367 253266 tim@timtrout.co.uk http://www.lechladetrout.co.uk |
GLIDING CLUBS
| Bristol and Glos, Gliding Club Nympsfield, Glos. Learn to fly on this ridge site overlooking the beautiful Severn Vale and Welsh hills. Trial lesson. Gift vouchers available. Flying seven days a week (weather permitting). Tel: 01453 860342 office@bggc.co.uk http://www.bggc.co.uk |
| Cotswold Gliding Club Aston Down Airfield, nr Minchinhampton. Trial flights £30, Mini-courses £68, 1-day course £150, Holiday courses from £320. 01285 760415 pat@cotswoldgliding.co.uk http://www.cotswoldgliding.co.uk |
GOLF
| Cotswold Edge Golf Club Wotton Under Edge. 18 hole parkland course - beautiful views. By arrangement - £15 weekdays, £20 weekends. No handicap certificate required. AmAm 28th June 06, ProAm 18th July 06.. Tel: 01453 844167 cotswoldedge@freenetname.co.uk http://www.cotswoldedgegolfclub.org.uk |
| Cotswold Golf Breaks Cotswold Golf breaks offer a number of packages and will arrange your accommodation and make your golf reservations. Tel: 01934 515507 http://http:www.cotswoldgolfbreaks.com |
| Minchinhampton New Course Minchinhampton. Visitors welcome. Book by phone. 2 Championship Golf Courses & associated amenities. Green fee: £40 Tel: 01453 833866 alan@mgcnew.co.uk http://www.mgcnew.co.uk |
| Minchinhampton Old Course Minchinhampton Common. Adults £19 weekdays, £22 weekends, reductions with members. Tel: 01453 832642 http://www.mgcold.co.uk |
| Painswick Golf Club Golf Course Road, Painswick. 18 hole golf course. Closed Mondays, Open Tues-Sat to non-members, Sundays - no green fee payers unless playing with a member. No play allowed Sunday p.m. Tel: 01452 812180 http://www.painswickgolf.com |
| Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club Dursley. Visitors by arrangement. Tel: 01453 543878 |
LEISURE AND SPORTS CENTRES
| * Please use 01453 754333 - the Leisure Helpline - for information etc, when these centres are closed during the day. |
| Dursley Pool Tel: 01453 546441 |
| Dursley Sports Centre 01453 543832 (evenings from 18:15 & weekends from 10:30) 01453 546441 (at other times) |
| Forest of Green Rovers Football Club Five Valleys Conference and Leisure incorporating Forest Green Rovers FC Nymsfield Rd Nailsworth GL6 OET Natalie Ward t: 01453 834 860 |
| Maidenhill Sports and Dance Centre (Monday-Friday 18:00-20:15 Sunday 10:00-14:15) Tel: 01453 824366 During normal working hours contact SDCs Leisure Service Team 01453 754333 |
| Nailsworth Recreation Centre (Mon,Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 18:00-22:30) 01453 836951 During normal working hours contact SDCs Facilities team: 01453 754333 |
| Stratford Park Leisure Centre Large wet & dry leisure centre set in 56 acre Stratford Park. Swimming, badminton, tennis, squash, fitness gym, aerobic sessions. Sunshowers, sauna, steam room + adult and childrens courses. 01453 766771 stratfordpark@parkwood-leisure.co.uk http://www.leisure-centre.com |
| Thomas Keble Leisure Centre (Monday-Friday 18:00-22.30) Sunday 10:00-14:00 01452 770617 During normal working hours contact SDCs Facilities team: 01453 754333 |
| Vale of Berkeley Sports Centre (Tuesday-Friday 18:00-22:00) 01453 511617 During normal working hours contact SDCs Facilities team: 01453 754333 |
| Wotton Pool (outdoor - summer months only) Tel: 01453 842086 (Open hours) 01453 842626 During normal working hours contact SDCs Facilities team: 01453 754333 http://www.wottonpool.co.uk |
| Wotton Sports Centre Tel: 01453 842626 During normal working hours contact SDCs Facilities team: 01453 754333 |
MICROLIGHTING
| Kemble Flying ClubPegasus Flight Training (Cotswolds), Kemble Airfield near Cirencester. Microlight Specialists. Booking advisable.. Tel: 01285 770077 davidflyme@aol.com http://www.kembleflyingclub.com |
PARA GLIDING AND HANG GLIDING
| Cloudbase Paragliding tuition, equipment sales, overseas trips.. For more information or to book a place, please telephone Lee on 07795 632710 or email sales@cloudbaseparagliding.co.uk http://www.cloudbaseparagliding.com |
RIDING
| Barton End Stables Nailsworth. Lessons & hacking for all ages & abilities. Tuesday - Sunday 8am-8pm. 01453 834915 bartonendstables@tiscali.co.uk http://www.bartonendstables.co.uk |
| Brown Hill Livery Yard, Woodchester, Stroud. Full, part and DIY Livery, competitive rates, indoor and outdoor school. Cross country course, off road hacking. Tel: 01453 872144 |
| Burnt Ash Farm Riding Stables Minchinhampton Stroud Glos GL6 8PD t: 01453 882266 e: info@burntashfarm.co.uk http://www.burntashfarm.co.uk |
| Camp Riding Centre The Camp, Nr Stroud. Riding over the Cotswold Hills. Horses & ponies to suit all abilities. Group & private lessons for adults & children. All abilities catered for. Open all year. Tel: 01285 821219 chris.barron@dsl.pipex.com http://www.campridingcentre.co.uk |
| Cotswold Trail Riding Brookthorpe. Horseriding for everyone. Rides out & lessons - children & adults. Pub rides & childrens birthday parties. Beautiful countryside. Open 7 days - all year. Tel: 01452 813 344 http://www.cotswoldtrailriding.co.uk |
| Hyde Riding Centre Chalford, Stroud. Hacking available. (With indoor facilities). Contact: Miss Julie Crew Tel: 01453 882413 |
| Summer House Education and Equitation Centre Hardwicke, Riding school & training centre. NVQ, PC & RDA Centre. All ages welcome.. Tel: 01452 720288 admin@summerhouseec.co.uk http://www.summerhouseec.co.uk |
| Talland School of Equitation Tuitition only. All ages and abilities. Beginners to advance. Flexible courses including residential. Large indoor and outdoor schools. Dressage, show-jumping, cross-country, side-saddle. Horses broken in and schooled. Livery available. Riding for disabled. Dairy Farm Ampney Knowle Nr Cirencester Glos t: 01285 740 155 e: secretary@talland.net http://www.talland.net |
SAILING
| Cotswold Sailing Club Spinnaker Lake 9, Cotswold Water Park, Ashton Keynes Section. Day membership available on Sunday. No day boards. Tel: 01793 751551 (Clubhouse) or 01453 545208 http://www.cotswoldsc.com |
TOUR OPERATORS
| Andalucian Adventures Andalucian Adventures is a specialist tour operator with 10 years experience of running painting, photography and walking holidays in the UK, Europe and North Africa. John Brough t: 01453 834 137 f: 01453 832 583 e:info@andalucian-adventures.co.uk 15 Merretts Mill Woodchester Gloucestershire GL5 5EU http://www.andalucian-adventures.co.uk |
WATER SPORTS CENTRES
| Cotswold Water Park The Cotswold Water Park is an area of 140 lakes, set in 40 square miles of countryside. From country parks, angling lakes, sailing clubs, picturesque villages to campsites, hotels, country inns and much more there is plenty for everyone to explore! Water based activities on offer include canoeing, kayaking, diving, sailing, snorkelling, swimming, waterskiing and windsurfing. For further details about the full range of activities, please refer to website. For general enquiries about the Cotswold Water Park, where to go and what to do, call 01793 752413 or email info@waterpark.org http://www.waterpark.org |
| South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre nr. Cirencester. Outdoor Education Centre for the young people of Gloucestershire. Courses in sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, dragon boating, team building & instructor training. Also courses for adults. Open all year. Tel: 01285 860388 http://www.southcerneyoutdoor.co.uk |
WATERSKIING
| Cirencester Waterski Club Lake 37, Spine Road West, Cotswold Water Park, Ashton Keynes Section. Temporary day membership. Short course for beginners and small groups available Mon - Fri, Apr - Oct. All equipment provided. Qualified BWSF instructor. No facilities for boat owners. Tel: 01285 861776 http://www.cirencesterwaterskiclub.com |
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