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.
Learn to Nordic Walk
If you're new to Nordic Walking, you'll need to learn the various walking methods and techniques, all whilst using specialist Nordic Walking poles. In this session, you will learn the INWA 10-step method which lets you get the most out of our regular Nordic Walks.
Ideal for:
- The whole community
- Force development
- Schools and Colleges
- Corporate / Business
- Charities
- Team building
- Cotswold holiday experiences
- 'Remote Workers 2 Remote Walkers'
- Families
Thursdays
When: 1pm to 3pmWhere:
- Lechlade, or
- Bagendon, or
- Cirencester
If you are part of a group of 4 to 8 people in the Cotswolds area, and are interested in a beginner walk, please get in touch to see if we can come to a suitable venue near you.
We can also provide 1-to-1 beginner walks on request for only £30.
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
Bagendon
Starting from the Fire and Flow cafe, our routes take you through the undulating countryside of 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
- 2 hours
- Walk distance
- 4.0km to 6.0km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 6 routes
Lechlade
Our route start at The Lakes Bar & Kitchen by Yoo, where our route begins with a beautiful lakeside walk along well managed trails meandering through tree line and woods. This is a wonderful circular route around the Lake and Sailing club. There is an abundance of wildlife all year round.
- Starting location
- The Lakes Bar & Kitchen by Yoo, High Street, Lechlade GL7 3DT
- Terrain
- Lakeside, Grass, Public footpaths
- Walking time
- 2 hours
- Walk distance
- 2.0km to 2.1km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 2 routes
Cirencester
The Organic Farm Shop at Abbey Home Farm serves as the starting point for routes through the many surrounding fields and forests.
- Starting location
- The Organic Farm Shop, Abbey Home Farm, Burford Road, Cirencester, GL7 5HF
- Terrain
- Farm track, Open fields, Forest paths, Metal road
- Walking time
- 2 hours
- Walk distance
- 4.0km to 6.0km Depending on the route
- Walk routes
- We have 4 routes
Testimonials
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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! 😀
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Diane L
Workshop - Trickier than it looks but great encouragement helped. Thanks an eye opening 2 hours Gary.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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 !
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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!
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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!
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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 workshop?
We'll get in touch shortly to arrange your beginner workshop.