Best walks near Swindon by train
Wiltshire · South West England
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.
Hanborough Station Circular via Blenheim Palace (Oxfordshire)
45m from Swindon, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: A gigantic well-signposted park. It’s completely fine to deviate from the route — explore as you like! Plenty of options for lunch — no need to reserve a table.
An essential walk! It's an easy walk from the station to the beautiful, vast (and free) grounds of the finest example of English baroque architecture. For a somewhat extortionate fee you can also visit the house, but you'd probably want a whole day for that.
Highlights: Blenheim Palace and Woodstock.
Lunch stops in Woodstock (1h30–2h30 in): the Crown, the Back Lane Tavern, or the Star Inn.
End-of-walk reward: the George and Dragon.
Pangbourne Station to Goring & Streatley Station (Berkshire)
30m from Swindon, with one change.
Easy: 8km, gentle ascents. 2h30–4h.
Beginner-friendly: Just keep the River Thames on your left and follow it up to Goring.
Lunch: A walk so short that you don’t need lunch — just eat at one of the many options in Goring & Streatley.
End-of-walk rewards: the Swan at Streatley and the Coppa Club, Pierreponts, the Miller of Mansfield, or the Catherine Wheel.
Buying train tickets: Buy a return ticket to Goring & Streatley (it’s fine to disembark at Pangbourne, because Pangbourne is en route to Goring & Streatley) (that’s assuming you’re coming from the east or south (aka London/Reading) — if you’re coming from the north or west you need to buy return ticket to Pangbourne instead).
Oxford Station Circular via Port Meadow (Oxfordshire)
30m direct from Swindon.
15km. Flat terrain. 4h–6h30.
Flat riverside towpaths, water meadows, canal towpath, Oxford city streets, college lanes, and historic squares. Can be flooded.
Highlights: Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford.
Lunch stops in Wolvercote (1h–2h in): the Trout Inn, Godstow, or the Jacob's Inn. Other lunch stops: the Perch (30m–1h in), or the Anchor (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Lamb & Flag, Oxford, the Red Lion, the Turf Tavern, the Bear, the Crown, the Royal Blenheim, the Castle Pub, or the Jolly Farmers.
Pangbourne Station Circular via Cold Harbour (Berkshire)
30m from Swindon, with one change.
Easy: 10km, moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
River Thames valley, wooded hillsides, chalk nature reserve, open fields, quiet lanes, and pretty villages. Can be muddy.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk rewards: the Greyhound, the Ferry Boat, or the Swan.
Mortimer Station to Bramley Station (Berkshire)
45m from Swindon, with one change.
Easy: 12km, gentle ascents. 3h30–5h30.
An essential walk! Little known but quietly wonderful. Beautiful rather than spectacular, in a humble English village pathways sort of manner. Mostly secluded.
Highlights: Remnants of Calleva Atrebatum (includes ruins ofthe original walls, and a large amphitheatre where gladiatorial combats entertained up to 7,000 people at a time) and St Mary the Virgin Church (on the site of a Roman temple).
Lunch stop: the Calleva Arms (1h30–3h in; excellent).
End-of-walk reward: the Bramley Inn.
Goring & Streatley Station to Pangbourne Station (Oxfordshire)
30m from Swindon, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 12km. 3h30–6h.
A rambler favourite! Woods, hilly, river, and quaint village. Relatively busy.
Lunch stops in Streatley (2h–3h in): Pierreponts, or the Swan at Streatley and the Coppa Club. Other lunch stop: the Bull (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Miller of Mansfield, or the Catherine Wheel.
Bradford-on-Avon Station to Chippenham Station (Wiltshire)
15m direct from Swindon.
Tough: 24km. Gentle ascents. 6h.
Scenic walk; long walk. Riverside path and flat and easy-going.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Kemble Station to Stroud Station (Wiltshire)
15m direct from Swindon.
Tough: 22km. Moderate ascents. 6h.
Canal towpath.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Didcot Parkway Station Circular via Wittenham Clumps (Berkshire)
15m direct from Swindon.
19km. Gentle ascents. 5h.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Bristol Parkway Station to Yate Station (Gloucestershire)
30m direct from Swindon.
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
Sea Mills Station to Bristol Parkway Station (Gloucestershire)
30m direct from Swindon.
Tough: steep ascents. 20km. 6h.
Pleasant; pleasant walk. Riverside path with woodland, fields, and with substantial climbs.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Ashley Down Station to Bristol Parkway Station (Gloucestershire)
30m direct from Swindon.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents. 2h.
Great views. Hill paths with woodland, parkland, and with gentle gradients.