SOUTH WEST

BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Distance: 2½ miles

Start point: The War Memorial, Bourton-on-the-Water

Rating: Accessible

Walking time: 1 hour 15 minutes A short, family-friendly walk in the picturesque Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, along riverside paths, past lakes and postcard-pretty buildings. Dubbed the “Little Venice of the Cotswolds”), the River Windrush meanders through the village, interspersed with low bridges.

PORTISHEAD QUAYS, SOMERSET

Distance: 1.6 miles

Start point: Parish Wharf Leisure Centre car park, Portishead Difficulty: Accessible

Walking time: 50 minutes

This fully accessible amble in a quayside town near Bristol takes you around the marina as you absorb its wonderful harbour views. Head along the dockside before passing through London Square, an attractive, fenced garden area containing a modern stone sculpture (part of the Portishead Arts Trail). From here, head to Jubilee Park, stopping to admire the impressive Arc of Angels sculpture by Rick Kirby. After leaving the park, you’ll return to the waterfront, passing Kirby’s second sculpture on this route, Echo. The walk finishes by passing through the harbour and marina, where you’ll be treated to incredible views across Avonmouth, the wetlands, the Bristol Channel and all the way to South Wales.

RADIPOLE PARK, DORSET

Distance: 1.8 miles

Start point: Weymouth Library Difficulty: Accessible

Walking time: 1 hour

This walk by the River Wey is a great introduction to the nature reserves and parks of Weymouth and a good alternative to coastal walks. The route will take you past a swannery – where there have been swans since the 1930s – and the RSPB nature reserve at Radipole Lake, where numerous water birds can be spotted. You may wish to stop in the lovely, leafy Radipole Park for a picnic and to enjoy the yearround flower displays, before returning the same way.

and pubs). This route should be OK for compact wheelchairs and pushchairs – but the footbridges over the canal are steep and there are sections of uneven towpath and raised cobbles.