Best walks in South West England by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South West England and plan your next day of green.
Salisbury Station Circular via Old Sarum (Wiltshire)
1h 15m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
An essential walk! Have lunch a café or pub next to the river. Return from Stonehenge to Salisbury by bus (very frequent & reliable but check times).
Highlights: Old Sarum Ruins and Stonehenge.
Lunch stop: the Bridge Inn (2h30–4h30 in; excellent).
Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Station to Pershore Station (Gloucestershire)
45m from Bristol Temple Meads, with one change.
19km.
Dramatic outlying northwestern limb of the Cotswolds. Walk crosses from Gloucestershire into Worcestershire at Carrant Brook. Dangerously busy lane with tight bends near Aston-on-Carrant.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Honeybourne Station to Stratford-upon-Avon Station (Gloucestershire)
2h 15m from Bristol Temple Meads, with one change.
15km.
Beautiful line through the northern Cotswolds. Trackbed of old railway line, fields, roads through villages, and flat greenway. Route follows the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway from 1859, closed for passenger services in 1968-1969, finally closed in 1976. Now a greenway. First section still in use for goods traffic; moderately busy road between Pebworth and Long Marston.
Documented by Walk Midlands — download GPX route
Bristol Temple Meads Station to Avonmouth Station (Somerset)
Tough: 21km, steep ascents. 5h.
Wonderful; picturesque. Hill and moorland paths with woodland, fields, and with substantial climbs. Can be very muddy or boggy.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Bedminster Station to Redland Station (Somerset)
3m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
Tough: steep ascents. 5km. 2h30.
Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Parson Street Station to Bristol Temple Meads Station (Somerset)
5m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
Tough: steep ascents. 5km. 1h30.
Hill paths with street sections at either end and with moderate climbs.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Keynsham Station to Yate Station (Somerset)
6m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
Tough: 23km, steep ascents. 8h.
Impressive scenery. Riverside path.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Bristol Parkway Station to Yate Station (Gloucestershire)
7m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
14km. Moderate ascents. 5h.
Picturesque; great views. Riverside path with fields. Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Shirehampton Station to Filton [Abbey Wood Station](/train-stations/south-west-england/gloucestershire/filton-abbey-wood) (Gloucestershire)
7m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
Tough: 25km, steep ascents. 5h.
Field and woodland paths with street sections at either end.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Ashley Down Station to Bristol Parkway Station (Gloucestershire)
8m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents. 2h.
Great views. Hill paths with woodland, parkland, and with gentle gradients.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Nailsea and Backwell Station Circular (Somerset)
9m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
Tough: steep ascents. 14km. 5h30.
Long views; beautiful. Hill and moorland paths with woodland, fields, and with substantial climbs. Part of the Nailsea Round; Good for bird-watching. Can be very muddy or boggy; Sections prone to flooding after heavy rain.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Bristol Temple Meads Station to Montpelier Station (Somerset)
9m direct from Bristol Temple Meads.
Tough: steep ascents. 3km. 1h.
Streets and pavements and flat and easy-going.