Nordic Walking in the Cotswolds
Nordic Walking is a great way to exercise without the extra strain found from other types of exercise, and gets your whole body walking.
Our routes take you around Cirencester, South Cerney, Bagendon, Fairford, Lechlade, Cotswold Lakes and surrounding area.
Explorer Nordic Walks
Join your Certified British Nordic Walking Instructor our Nordic Exploring and Well-being walks - No membership required, just walk when it suits you.
Each session starts and ends at a hand-picked café, bar, or deli - so you can improve fitness and enjoy great conversation over a coffee.
Simply, Stride then Sip.
Mondays
When: 1:30pm - 3pmWhere:
- Lake 12 The Lodge, or
- Ashton Keynes, or
- South Cerney, or
- Bagendon
Thursdays
When: 9:30am to 11amWhere:
Before your regular walk, we will review your Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ). We'll email you prior to the walk with details about the route, clothing recommendations, and any other details for the session.
Your INWA Nordic Walking Instructor
Gary has been a British Nordic Walking instructor since 2017. He is an outdoor first aid instructor, first aid for mental health instructor, and a safeguarding instructor with over 25 years' experience leading adventurous training expeditions around the world. He is fully insured and DBS certified.
Gary is a member of British Nordic Walking, and is accredited by the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA).
Our venues
Cotswolds Lakes
Setting off from The Lodge Cafe, ROX Lake 12, our walking routes will take you along beautiful lakeside and around the Cotswolds Lakes.
- Starting location
- The Lodge Cafe, ROX Lake 12, Cotswolds Lakes, South Cerney, GL7 5TL
- Terrain
- Fields, Public footpaths, Metal road, Lakeside, Riverside
- Walking time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walk distance
- 4.0km to 6.0km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 5 routes
Bagendon
Our routes starting from Fire and Flow take you through the undulating countryside, Bagendon, Perrott's Brook and North Cerney.
- Starting location
- Fire & Flow, Tall Trees Estate, Bagendon, GL7 7JE
- Terrain
- Fields, Public footpaths, Private road, Country road
- Walking time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walk distance
- 4.0km to 6.0km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 6 routes
South Cerney
Starting our routes from The Pennycress in south Cerney, you will be walking alongside local canals, the River Churn, as well as beautiful lakesides around the area.
- Starting location
- The Pennycress, Clarks Hay, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gl7 5UA
- Terrain
- Grass, Public footpaths, Metal road, Riverside
- Walking time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walk distance
- 4.0km to 6.0km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 4 routes
Poulton
Our routes starting from the The Falcon Inn lead you through stunning scenery and many local historic destinations.
- Starting location
- The Falcon Inn, London Rd, Poulton, Cirencester GL7 5HN
- Terrain
- Grass, Public footpaths, Metal road, Riverside
- Walking time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walk distance
- 4.0km to 6.0km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 6 routes
Ashton Keynes
Setting off from Jennies Kitchen in Ashton Keynes, we have another set of great routes starting from the Cotswolds lakes.
- Starting location
- Jennies Kitchen, Fridays Ham Ln, Ashton Keynes, Swindon SN6 6QP
- Terrain
- Fields, Public footpaths, Metal road, Lakeside, Riverside
- Walking time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walk distance
- 4.0km to 6.0km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 5 routes
Testimonials
-
Pat vN
Can 't fault Gary 's Nordic walks. Cheerful, knowledgeable and supportive and all set in the beautiful Cotswolds. Really great. I 'll be back! 😀
-
Jane P
Attended a session with Gary a few weeks ago. I 've now been out Nordic walking on my own and stride with pride. I can now walk up a hill, which I previously had to stop before I reached the top. Gary... Continue reading 's little phrases to remind you of the techniques pop into my head and I can immediately feel my technique improve. Cannot recommend Gary 's course highly enough and the coffee shop at Fire and Flow was also amazing.
-
Jane P
Attended a session with Gary a few weeks ago. I 've now been out Nordic walking on my own and stride with pride. I can now walk up a hill, which I previously had to stop before I reached the top. Gary... Continue reading 's little phrases to remind you of the techniques pop into my head and I can immediately feel my technique improve. Cannot recommend Gary 's course highly enough and the coffee shop at Fire and Flow was also amazing.
-
Karen A
I learned a lot and Gary inspired me to want to give this a proper go. Gary 's enthusiasm is infectious and it 's given me the confidence that I can do this. The poles are already ordered!
-
Diane L
Workshop - Trickier than it looks but great encouragement helped. Thanks an eye opening 2 hours Gary.
-
Emma F
I am really enjoying Nordic walking! It's great to be able to switch off from work and really enjoy the outdoors alongside friends! I've lived in the Cotswolds all my life and thought I knew the area but... Continue reading Gary has taken us to such lovely places each week finding new & different walks. He is a great 'find' and I can thoroughly recommend Nordic walking for all round exercise and fun!
-
Leslie W
Nordic walking with Gary is great fun and I always return home feeling exercised and rejuvenated. I've lived in the area for decades but all the routes we've covered have been completely new to me and... Continue reading are always in beautiful locations. Gary is highly professional and takes great care to take into account everyone's varying abilities or physical limitations. I can highly recommend!
-
Gail T-H
I joined Gary Owens friendly Nordic Walking workshop in January. I found him to be a very professional experienced teacher. He's fun but very aware of each person's abilities. It has improved my core fitness... Continue reading and stamina enormously. We now go for exciting guided hikes, exploring the beautiful Cotswold foot paths. I highly recommend Gary and Nordic Walking as a sport.
-
Sam E
Three of us signed up to a Nordic Walking Workshop with Gary to celebrate a birthday. We didn't know what to expect but Gary was thorough in teaching us how to warm up, and then onto the 10 steps needed... Continue reading to Nordic walk effectively, explaining, demonstrating and then watching our technique closely. We have come away enthused and keen to get started.
-
Manda P
I was looking for a new year challenge and found Gary's Nordic Walking Course. What a fabulous find! Gary was very accommodating with our dates and communication was great. He was thorough with all aspects... Continue reading of the course, checking our safety, our understanding and our technique. He provided us with equipment for the course but went that bit further by researching best price equipment that met our needs and sizings once course completed. He was easy to talk to, approachable, friendly and ensured we always had a start and end at a fabulous cafe !
-
Annette L
I am finding Gary's enthusiasm and patience in teaching me nordic walking really helpful - and am looking forward to all the benefits of mastering the technique!
-
Deputy Head, Cirencester Kingshill School
We were delighted to welcome Gary Owen, the Director of Inspire First Training. He has subsequently invested himself in designing programmes to support the training of both physical and mental first aid,... Continue reading alongside diverse experience of leading expeditions in the Algonquin National Park, traversing volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, and mountain biking the Slickrock trail in Moab, Gary brilliantly supported our focus on Mental Health Awareness week. He spoke with wonderful enthusiasm and energy about the beautiful simplicity of 'walking-and-talking' in introducing us to the benefits that this can bring to both our physical and mental health. Through his demonstration of Nordic-walking (and the all- important walking poles!), we learnt about how we can all walk with increased purpose, in ways that will simultaneously develop our core bodily muscles and our emotional wellbeing. With Gary's support and expertise, we are keen to establish a Nordic-walking club through our lunchtime Extend programme and students are very much encouraged to be part of this unique offer!
-
Judith B
I am enjoying learning to Nordic walk. Gary is encouraging and helpful to achieve the correct technique. He makes it fun
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear?
Always check the weather forecast for the day of your walk and make sure to dress comfortably. We've prepared these handy kit guides to help you decide what to wear in each season.
If the weather isn't looking great and we need to reschedule your walk, we will let you know the day before.
When should I arrive?
All of our walks start from one of our venues, so plan ahead and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This allows us to check your PARQ form, adjust the Nordic Walking poles to your size, and make sure you're fully prepared.
Do you provide Nordic Walking poles?
Yes, we provide poles on the day. If you have your own Nordic Walking poles, let us know and bring them along.
Ready for your Nordic Walk?
We'll get in touch shortly to arrange your Nordic Walk.