This summer, SoGlos is partnering with Active Gloucestershire to showcase some of the best outdoor spaces to enjoy across the county – with handy suggestions for things you can do there.
From highlighting some of the best places to enjoy the county's parks and cycle trails through to outdoor gyms, trim trails and walking routes, through a series of six specially-produced hot lists specifically focusing on outdoor spaces to enjoy in Gloucester, Cheltenham, the Cotswolds, Stroud, Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean – we'll be sharing local insight and inspiration to help readers discover new places to explore and soak up the fresh air.
Discover Gloucestershire's outdoor spaces
One of Gloucestershire's greatest strengths is the sheer variety of outdoor experiences available across the county.
You can spend the morning walking through ancient woodland in the Forest of Dean, enjoy an afternoon exploring a Cotswold nature reserve, try an outdoor gym in Tewkesbury, cycle alongside the canal in Gloucester, make a splash at an outdoor pool in Stroud or stroll up a gentle hill in Cheltenham – as just a few examples.
From well-known local favourites to hidden gems right on the doorstep, the series aims to celebrate the incredible variety of outdoor spaces that make Gloucestershire such a fantastic place to get out and enjoy.
Inspiration for every age and interest
There's set to be something for everyone in our top picks: families can turn a visit to a local park into a full afternoon of adventure, combining play areas, open green spaces, nature trails and recreation grounds; friends might swap the usual coffee shop catch-up for a scenic walk or cycle ride; while families looking for a new challenge could seek out a geocaching route or go fruit picking.
Elsewhere, the county's woodlands, lakes, canals and nature reserves provide opportunities to slow down, reconnect with nature and observe the magic of wildlife that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Free ways to enjoy more of Gloucestershire
Many of Gloucestershire's best outdoor experiences come with little or no cost attached.
Outdoor gyms offer free-to-use equipment designed to help improve strength, mobility and balance, while trim trails combine walking routes with simple exercise stations that can be tackled at your own pace.
Dedicated cycle paths make it easier to explore on two wheels, while parks and recreation grounds provide space for everything from football and rounders to picnics and informal games.
There are also a range of free Gloucestershire events often featured on SoGlos, giving Gloucestershire residents the chance to take part in something new – with parkruns taking place across Gloucestershire each week, for example, bringing communities together, which can be walked as well as ran.
Why spending time outdoors matters
The benefits of spending time outdoors extend far beyond physical activity.
Making time to explore local green spaces can help boost energy levels, support wellbeing, reduce stress and create opportunities to connect with friends, family and local communities.
Research from the Mental Health Foundation suggests that many adults believe physical activity can improve their mental health and wellbeing, while spending time in natural surroundings can help people feel more relaxed and refreshed.
Enjoying the outdoors doesn't have to involve major commitments or expensive hobbies. Often, simply finding new places to explore and making more time for them can have a positive impact.
How Active Gloucestershire is helping people move more
Active Gloucestershire is an independent charity with a drive to encourage everyone across the country to move more in their everyday lives.
Not only does it help to inspire people to get active in a way that works for them, but it also supports activity providers and sports clubs through its We Can Move campaign.
Active Gloucestershire acts as the backbone of this campaign, supporting councils, health organisations, schools, sports clubs, charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, and individuals who are facilitating change.
Its key priorities include tackling inequalities faced by communities who come up against barriers to being active, helping people stay active as they grow older, championing active spaces like parks, paths, facilities and neighbourhoods, as well as striving for inclusive activity for all, particularly for people who are disabled or live with health conditions.
Through We Can Move, Active Gloucestershire wants to halve inactivity rates in the county by 2030.
Follow the new Enjoy Gloucestershire's open spaces series
Whether you're looking for somewhere new to walk, cycle, play, swim or simply spend time outdoors, look out for the new series on SoGlos for inspiration for the whole family.
Follow SoGlos on Facebook or Instagram or sign-up to SoGlos’s Lifestyle newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any of the hot lists in the new series.
To learn more about Active Gloucestershire, visit activegloucestershire.org.
