Hardwicke in Gloucestershire – Walks, Shops & The Pilot Inn

Hardwicke is a village to the south of Gloucester near to M5 Junction 12. Easily accessible places nearby are Quedgeley, Waterwells and Kingsway, all enhance options for local services.

The most historical part of the village is on Green Lane, where there are older and thatched cottages and the Norman church.

Hardwicke Church

Hardwicke has a village green and pond on Green Lane near to the Millennium memorial. The village has some old historical cottages but grew in the ’70s and ’80s with many new houses.

Pubs in Hardwicke

The Pilot Inn Hardwicke

The village has 1 pub, The Pilot Inn, which is on the banks of the Gloucester-Sharpness canal. It is a great place to visit their beer garden in the summer.

The Pilot Inn

The Pilot Inn is at Sellars bridge on the Gloucester to Sharpness canal in Hardwicke. It is a good village pub with a restaurant and a fantastic beer garden. Both the beer garden and the bar area are dog friendly and are very popular with dog walkers. The pub supplies a bowl of drinking water and has limited rules posted up by the entrance.

The Pilot Inn has a range of beverages to choose from, including a few lagers, including Moretti. Real ales, cider and wine are also available for you and soft drinks for non-drinkers or children.

You are welcome to eat in the dining area, bar or beer garden with table service. Their menu is diverse to suit most dietary requirements and tastes. They base the theme around pub-grub and serve delights like ham, egg and chips. They offer a variety of burgers, sandwiches, basket meals, or a full English breakfast.

Shops & Services

There are 2 shops, the little Tesco and Westbourne news, both are pretty convenient. In nearby Quedgeley there are a few supermarkets including a big Tescos.

Buses & Public Transport

The village is on the Stagecoach number 12 bus route and frequent buses to the city are handy. However, it is pricey for taxis but there are pretty essential for those without a car.

Fast Food

Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat provide a food delivery service to Hardwicke. However, the choice is limited compared to in Gloucester. There is a chippy on the site of the old Morning Star pub.

Hotels & Places to Stay in Hardwicke

There are options for places to stay if visiting Hardwicke, including hotels and some holiday homes in the nearby countryside.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel

At Waterwells Business park is the Holiday Inn Express hotel. This is the closest hotel to the village. The hotel is located just opposite the Bumble Bee public house and near to the park and ride into the city. It has rooms in many configurations, including larger family rooms or twin room which are ideal for work colleagues to share. The hotel has a bar which serves a limited menu, including pizza and other snacks. Breakfast here is a buffet style with many options, including Danish pastries, fried breakfast, cereal, yoghurts, and toast.

Walking in Hardwicke

Canal Walk Sellars Bridge Hardwicke

There are some delightful walks in the village. One is the Glevum way that heads towards St. Nicholas’ Church. The Gloucester to Sharpness Canal is a nice leisurely walk, starting at The Pilot Inn.

The River Severn is not far to walk to either, cutting through the fields from the section of the canal between Sellars Bridge and Elmore Lane. Alternatively, you could walk down the lanes to reach the river.

Hardwicke, Gloucestershire

Another pleasant route is from the pond on Green Lane, then down pound lane. You then follow the Glevum way trail to the church and back. This takes in lots of quiet farmland with opportunities to see wildlife, including game birds.

Hardwicke Pond

The pond is on the junction of Pound Lane and Sticky lane next to Hardwicke Parochial School and the playing field. The pond is a magnet for local wildlife and is a place to sit on the bench and watch the world and the wildlife go by. Wildlife at the pond include;

Duck Pond
  • The pond often has a pair of nesting mallards and moorhens.
  • Many wild birds visit the pond
  • Newts have been spotted swimming in the pond
  • Frogs and toads are prevalent in the pond, and in spring you can see frog spawn and tadpoles.
  • There are many trees to enhance the habitat, including oak trees and a magnificent willow.