Volunteering – Guided Walks and Talks
Guided Walks and Talks
Do you enjoy meeting people and sharing stories? Join us as a Guided Walks & Talks Volunteer and help raise awareness and funds for the Cotswold Canals Trust.
Our guided walks take visitors along restored and developing sections of the canal, bringing history, wildlife, and engineering to life while supporting restoration through ticket sales. We also give talks to local groups, clubs, and schools, spreading the word about our work and inspiring others to get involved.
No expertise needed – just enthusiasm and a passion for the canals. We’ll provide all the support and materials you need. By volunteering, you’ll help raise vital funds, share the canals’ story, and play a part in their restoration.
I think that the Restoration of the Cotswold Canals is an amazingly ambitious project, so on moving to Stroud I offered to help with Guided Walks and Talks. This led to my learning so many fascinating ways in which the canal has impacted the local community from its construction in the eighteenth century to its restoration in the present day. From Cotswold Lions to textile mills, from Trows to competition from the railways, from Brimscombe Port to the Missing Mile, from fish passes to water voles – the list is endless! By volunteering to lead Walks and Talks you get the opportunity to share your knowledge and enthusiasm for this great project with others.
Guided Walks Lead Volunteer
Current vacancies
Our guided walk season has now concluded and will resume in May 2026. If you’re interested in joining us as a guided walk volunteer, please complete the form below.
Types of roles available
Download our role descriptions below to give you a better idea of volunteering within the Guided Walks and Talks team.
Canal Walk Guides
Help share the story of the Cotswold Canals by leading guided walks and giving talks to local groups. Raise awareness and vital funds for restoration while inspiring others to get involved.
How to apply:
Simply fill out our online form via the button below and a member of our volunteer engagement team will be in touch to discuss opportunities within our charity and answer any queries.
If you are under 18, please email us to find out about volunteering opportunities for Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) and other youth volunteering programmes | volunteersupport@cotswoldcanals.org.
Don’t see your skill here?
No problem! We’re always open to new ideas and hidden talents. If you have a skill to offer – get in touch via the button above and select “other”. We’ll find a place for you.
Find out what other volunteering roles are available. There’s a space for everyone.