Walk Along The River Frome – From Whitminster To Stonehouse

Walk Along the River Frome & Stroudwater Navigation. I enjoyed a rainy walk from the A38 near Whitminster along the River Frome, eventually following the Stroudwater Navigation into Stonehouse.

River Frome & Stroudwater Navigation

Both the River Frome and Stroudwater Navigation in Gloucestershire are lovely places for a walk, and there are options. The River Frome is a small river and passes through some beautiful countryside along the way. It also passes through some pleasant towns and villages, including Stonehouse and Stroud.

The River Frome rises from springs near Nettleton and eventually joins the River Severn at Upper Framilode. There are lots of nice places to visit on the way. My favourite walk here is from Framilode to Stroud.

The Stroudwater Navigation is a canal that mostly follows the River Frome from Stroud. When walking, it’s easy to mix up which waterway you are on the banks of. Either way, the two close to each other make for some great walking. I’ve saved my favourite walk on this river to my Komoot profile.

Walking Route

Whitminster

The off-road section for this walk starts on the A38 in Whitminster, near the turn for Frampton on Severn. This is close to the bus stop for the route that runs from Gloucester to Dursley. Other local starting points could be Whitminster village or Highfields Garden Centre. There are a few places for a pre-walk pint or meal here, including The Fromebridge Mill, a carvery restaurant and pub.

River Frome

After leaving the road on a marked path, you enter some fields used for grazing cattle, particularly the dairy herd. The route follows the River Frome through some flat countryside; the river is a great habitat and great for bird spotting, including birds of prey.

The route takes you to the M5 motorway, where a tunnel lets the farmer move cows right under it. This is quite surreal and spooky. In winter or after rain, good boots are the best footwear for walking.

Once out of the tunnel, the fields open up, and the path continues alongside the little river. This area is a floodplain, as I found out, and gets sodden or even flooded after persistent rain. Then you cross the road marked Spring Hill on the map, then back into the fields.

Eastington Church

Near here is a bridge into St. Michael and All Angels’ Church, a photogenic church and churchyard just off the river in Eastington. The church is pretty and a nice place to stop, reflect, or just rest your legs.

Stroudwater Navigation

The path then follows the river. This eventually leads you onto the Stroudwater Navigation canal path. This section of the canal has lots of reeds, and waterfowl call this home. I have spotted some common breeds here, including moorhens, swans and mallards swimming in the water.

Stonehouse

Further along, you pass the Stonehouse Court Hotel and restaurant, a very nice wedding venue and hotel. Next, a path leads you to the town centre of Stonehouse. Follow the High Street into town to reach The Woolpack Inn, a friendly pub with a choice of ciders and free Wi-Fi.

After a beer or two, a bus stop nearby serves buses to Gloucester or Stroud.

Walk Photos