Walking Tewkesbury: new wellbeing walks map

A community co-created map for walking, nature and connection

When I created the Gloucester Wellbeing Walks map last year, it came from a personal place. Gloucester is my hometown, I walk those routes regularly, and I wanted to share spaces that felt like home. But this one, the new Tewkesbury Wellbeing Walks map was different as I wasn't creating something from my own lived experience. I didn't know Tewkesbury like I know Gloucester. So I knew from the start that it had to be co-produced. Local people needed to shape it, not just feed into it.

That's why I worked with Art Shape, an inclusive arts organisation focused on creative health, and a brilliant group of local people to co-create four walking routes that genuinely reflect how people move through, connect with, and find moments of calm in Tewkesbury.

Community at the heart

The project has been shaped over the past year through a series of workshops delivered by Art Shape with local groups and people including:

• K2togs, The Roses in Tewkesbury

• CASA drop-in Tewkesbury

• Lead of the Running for Wellbeing social group

• Community Engager/Community Involvement Officer CCP

• CCP Walking Group

• Learning and Wellbeing Officer Tewkesbury Nature Reserve

• Volunteers from the Tewkesbury Nature Reserve

• Geoff Sallis

• The Black Bear group, previously Age UK

For these workshops, participants were invited to reflect on their experiences of walking in the town, identify meaningful local landmarks, and to contribute to the look and feel of the map. Route icons and descriptions were created by and informed directly by community voice, ensuring the final map reflects local knowledge and lived experience.

For phase two of the project, we ran workshops testing the first draft of the map with local people. We considered the copy of the map and the visuals of the map, gathering feedback to ensure ease of use - a vital element of the project to ensure that the project was truly shaped by the community.

Routes for everyone

The results were hidden gems right in the centre of town, such as the 80-metre Secret Garden route - perfect for a moment of quiet, and others that stretch along the river, linking in railway history and local landmarks. The routes offer a range of distances from this short Secret Garden walk to a 2km riverside and railway heritage route – so there is something for all abilities.

All routes begin in the town centre and are accessible by public transport, with each starting point connected to Ashchurch-for-Tewkesbury train station.

What people are saying

"I enjoyed walking around the reserve with pencil and sketchbook in hand, trying to find the small, beautiful things I might miss on a normal walk. Since the creative walk, I have been drawing from life more frequently, and I visit a natural space once a week (last week I went to Stratford Park in Stroud). The map was clear (once I had it the right way up!), there were a couple of mistakes in the written directions which I pointed out on the walk itself. I got to Tewkesbury via the bus; I had never been before, but the bus drove directly to the stop indicated on the poster. Honestly, I had the best time. It was a good way to get myself out and about, to a new place, meet new people, and sketch in the wild. It was so different from what I have been doing recently, which opened my eyes to new possibilities in my sketchbook, which I have been exploring since. I loved to walk with the group and chat with new people but also felt there was no pressure" – participant

More than just steps

Sustainable travel and health & wellbeing don't have to be separate conversations. This project has been more than just creating something to get your steps in, it's about encouraging local people to explore the amazing natural spaces that are right on their doorstep, and public transport can and should be a part of that.

This map is part of a wider series of wellbeing and leisure trails that we are working on at Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (GCRP), designed to encourage gentle, inclusive exploration of local areas on foot.

Since joining GCRP in 2021, I've worked on projects to help people reconnect with public transport and nature, especially those who don't always feel those spaces are "for them". We've taken over 600 young people out to green spaces across the county, using rail as a way to build independence and confidence. This map continues to do that work in a quieter but still meaningful way.

Through co-produced resources like this map, we aim to promote both physical and mental wellbeing, and to support people in accessing their local areas in sustainable, inclusive ways.

Getting your copy

The map was soft launched at The Roses Theatre, which also hosted several of the workshops and is one of the local distribution points for printed copies. Art Shape will also be stocking the map, and we welcome enquiries from other community spaces interested in making the map available.

The walks are free to access and designed with ease of use in mind. Whether you're a local person looking for a new everyday route, or a visitor arriving by train or bus, these trails give you a way to slow down and see Tewkesbury through the eyes of those who live there.

The Tewkesbury Wellbeing Walks map is supported by funding from Great Western Railway (GWR) and Community Rail Network.

Download the map here.

If you're looking for other local walks around train stations, we've also created maps for Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stonehouse and more. And if you've got an idea for your local area or other health & wellbeing projects, drop us a message at info@gcrp.org.uk – I'd love to hear what you think, or even better, where we should co-create next.

Written by Faatimah Bham, Community Rail Development Manager.