This post featuring eight woodland walks in the Cotswolds features my regular collaboration with adidas.
There’s something quietly magical about walking through woodland in autumn. The colours shift from golden to russet to deep bronze, leaves crunch (or squelch…) underfoot, and the canopy offers just enough shelter to make even the dampest days feel gentle.
During One Hour Outside month in November, which is just about coming to an end at the time of publication, I find myself drawn to woodlands more than ever, especially the ones close to home in and around the Cotswolds. Woodland walks are never quite the same twice. Even if you return to the same trail, the light changes, the trees evolve, and the whole place just feels different.
This post is a celebration of eight top-tier woodlands in (well, near…) the Cotswolds, each one perfect for slow wandering and spontaneous detours. Whether you’re local or just visiting, I hope these spots offer inspiration for your next woodland wander.
I’ll also be talking about my regular collaboration with adidas too. Their hiking boots have been with me through mud, moss, and mist, and I want to share my favourite shoes with you in this article. But let’s talk woodland first.
Eight Woodland Walks in (near!) the Cotswolds
Frith Wood (Near Slad, Stroud)
Tucked above the village of Slad, Frith Wood is a quiet haven of ancient beech trees and winding trails. The soaring canopy we see today is thought to have grown from Belgian seed planted in the early 1800s, though this hillside has been recorded as beech woodland for over a thousand years. Now managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, it’s a place where history, ecology, and poetry meet.
The Laurie Lee Wildlife Way, a five-mile circular walk inspired by the local author, passes through the wood, linking nature with literature in a way that feels both grounded and lyrical. The terrain is steep and often muddy, especially in autumn, but the woodland is worth the effort: peaceful, pretty, and full of detail. Best approached from Painswick or Slad, with sturdy boots and a flask of something warming tucked into your bag.
Westonbirt Arboretum (Near Tetbury)
Often called the crown jewel of Cotswold tree walks, Westonbirt Arboretum is a national treasure with over 2,500 tree species from around the world. Managed by Forestry England, it’s designed for immersive forest bathing, with waymarked trails that wind through ancient woodland, seasonal glades, and curated collections. The Treetop Walkway offers a high perspective, especially in autumn, when the canopy blazes with colour and the air feels crisp and golden.
One of my favourite areas is the Maple collection, which turns into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and golds at this time of year. On my last visit, I paused beside a needle-like Serbian Spruce; tall, elegant, and quietly striking.
A lot of the paths are wide, well-maintained, and fully accessible, with mobility scooters available to hire. Entry is ticketed, with day passes available online or at the gate – well worth it for the richness of the experience and the care that goes into maintaining the site. Whether you’re tracing the Silk Wood trail or simply wandering where the trees lead, Westonbirt invites you to slow down and notice.
Lineover Wood (Near Cheltenham)
Clinging to the steep slopes above Dowdeswell Reservoir, Lineover Wood is a dramatic stretch of ancient woodland with sweeping views across the Cotswold escarpment. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it’s home to veteran beech trees, rare orchids, and limestone grassland that hums with biodiversity. The woodland has been shaped by centuries of quiet resilience, and its steep paths feel both wild and purposeful.
The Cotswold Way threads through the wood, offering a challenging but rewarding route for confident walkers. Trails are often muddy and uneven, and they are very steep in places – but the sense of elevation makes it worth the effort. On clear days, you can see across to Cheltenham and beyond, with birdsong echoing through the canopy. There’s a perfectly placed bench in a clearing near the top; make sure you have a flask of tea ready.
Best approached from the Dowdeswell Reservoir car park or via the Cotswold Way itself, with sturdy boots and a willingness to climb. It’s not the gentlest walk on this list, but I love it there.
Batsford Arboretum (Near Moreton-in-Marsh)
Smaller and quieter than Westonbirt, Batsford Arboretum offers a more intimate woodland experience, rich in seasonal colour and peaceful charm. Known for its Acers and the National Collection of Japanese Flowering Cherries, there’s lots of colour in the trees here. The arboretum is privately managed and carefully curated, with a focus on rare and ornamental trees from around the world.
Though not linked to any national trails, Batsford’s internal loop paths are well-maintained and easy to navigate, making it ideal for gentle wandering or reflective pauses. There’s an entry fee, with tickets available online or at the gate, and the grounds are thoughtfully designed to encourage slow exploration.
It’s a lovely place to visit if you’re looking for quiet beauty and a slower pace. Best enjoyed with a camera, a notebook, or simply a moment to breathe beneath the maples.
Tried & Trusted: adidas Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX Women’s Hiking Shoes
I’ve worn a lot of hiking shoes over the years, but the adidas Terrex Skychasers I got early this year have quietly become my go-to. Mine are mint green – which, let’s be honest, is half the joy – and they’ve carried me through miles and miles of woodland, canal paths, and muddy hill climbs without complaint.
They’re solid without being stiff, offering that rare balance between support and flexibility. Definitely more hiking shoe than trail runner, but still lightweight enough to wear all day without feeling clunky. The GORE-TEX lining means they’re properly waterproof and breathable, which has been very much appreciated (did you see my Dartmoor hike?!).
And they feel great on woodland terrain. Whether I’m scrambling up steep paths in Lineover Wood or wandering the gentler trails of Westonbirt, they grip well, keep my feet dry, and never feel like they’re fighting me. If you’re looking for something dependable, comfortable, and genuinely good-looking, they’re well worth considering.
These shoes were gifted thanks to my regular collaboration with adidas; I receive vouchers and choose what to buy.
Woodchester Park (Near Nympsfield)
Woodchester Park is a place of layered stories – a valley woodland, still lakes, and the haunting presence of an unfinished Victorian mansion, all wrapped in National Trust care. The landscape feels somewhat cinematic at this time of year, with long shadows, quiet water, and trails that seem to whisper as you walk.
Circular walks wind through the park, passing through ancient trees and past glimpses of the mansion’s gothic shell. A newly created accessible trail from Tinkley Gate makes part of the site easier to reach, though much of the terrain is mixed, with steep slopes and uneven paths. It’s a walk best taken with time to spare and a willingness to pause.
Approach from the Tinkley Gate car park or the main National Trust entrance, ready for mud; Woodchester rewards those who wander.
Cranham Woods (Near Painswick)
Cranham Wood is a quiet stretch of ancient beech woodland nestled within a National Nature Reserve. In spring, the forest floor is carpeted with bluebells, but autumn brings its own kind of beauty – rustling leaves, soft light, and a canopy that glows gold in the late afternoon. It’s the kind of place that feels timeless, where the trees seem to hold stories in their roots.
The Cotswold Way passes through the wood, and there are stile-free circular routes that link to nearby landmarks, including the famous cheese-rolling hill at Cooper’s Hill. Terrain is moderate, with some (very) steep sections – watch out for the mud in winter – but it’s not so bad in autumn. Birdsong, pretty light, and glimpses of deer make it feel like a secret kept just for you. Well, you and the dog walkers!
Best approached from Cranham village or the nearby car park. There are no facilities, so come prepared with whatever you need for your wander.
Leckhampton Hill (Near Cheltenham)
This walk offers a beautiful blend of woodland edges, open limestone grassland, and some of the most expansive views in the Cotswolds. The Cotswold Way runs along the ridge, tracing an elevated route – sky above, valley below, and the wind often carrying the scent of wild thyme (season depending).
Paths vary from wide and accessible to steep and stony, with a circular route suitable for mobility scooters offering a more inclusive way to enjoy the landscape. For those who don’t mind a climb, the reward is panoramic: Cheltenham to one side, rolling hills to the other, and a sense of airy freedom that’s hard to beat.
It’s a place for stretching your legs and your perspective. Start at Daisybank Road or the main car park off Leckhampton Hill, with layers for the breeze and time to linger at the top. Don’t forget to bag the trig pillar.
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail (Beechenhurst)
Just west of the Cotswolds, Beechenhurst offers a playful blend of art and nature in a family-friendly forest managed by Forestry England. It’s a place where creativity meets canopy, with the Sculpture Trail weaving large-scale installations into the woodland landscape. Some pieces are bold and striking, others quietly tucked away, each one inviting you to pause, wonder, and look again.
The terrain varies from flat forest paths to steeper slopes, with partial accessibility and trail maps available at the visitor’s centre. It’s a good choice for mixed groups, spontaneous picnics, or anyone seeking a walk with a twist. There’s a café, play area, and plenty of space to roam, making it ideal for a full-day outing or a gentle wander with creative inspiration built in.
Best approached from the Beechenhurst Lodge car park. It’s not in the Cotswolds, but it’s well worth the detour.
Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail
Woodland Walking for the Soul
Whether you’re drawn to ancient beech groves or arboretums ablaze with colour, woodland walking in autumn offers something quietly profound. These eight spots are more than just scenic, they’re spaces that shift and shimmer with the season. One week the paths are golden, the next they’re slick with rain and rich with earthy scent. Even familiar trails feel new when the light changes or the leaves fall. Sheltered, ever-changing, and full wonder.
If you’re local to the Cotswolds or planning a visit, these woodlands are a great place to start. Pick one, lace up your shoes, and see what the trees have to say. Whether you’re walking for joy, for grief, for clarity, or just for the sake of it, the woods will welcome you.
And if you’ve got a favourite woodland trail, in the Cotswolds or beyond, I’d love to hear about it. Drop it in the comments so we can all see.
This post features gifted items as part of my ongoing collaboration with adidas. I receive vouchers and choose what to buy—every review is based on real use and honest experience.
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