Welcome to Charfield Gardens
Discover new places and new ways to get around your community
A fresh start for your travel habits
Moving into a new home is the perfect opportunity to rethink how you travel. There are lots of travel options in your new neighbourhood for the everyday journeys that you need to make, and moving house is a great time to try them!
All of Charfield village is within walking or cycling distance. For longer trips, residents may be able to use public transport, share lifts with friends, neighbours or colleagues, or combine journeys, helping to reduce the number of car trips where convenient.
Even small changes to your travel habits can make a big difference. Travelling actively and sustainably – such as walking, cycling, scooting, catching the bus, or car sharing to name a few – have lots of benefits. Here are just a few ways it can make a positive impact:
Boost your health and wellbeing
- Add movement to your day and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being more active. These journeys offer an opportunity to increase your daily activity levels – at your own pace.
Explore your local area
- Walking, wheeling, or cycling can help you discover new places and feel more connected to your neighbourhood. You might notice things you’ve never seen before!
Be mindful on the move
- Looking to feel more present and relaxed? Try a mindful journey – whether you’re walking, wheeling, or cycling, take time to notice what’s around you.
Build a sense of community
- Seeing others out and about can help build that community feeling. You might even start to recognise familiar faces on your regular routes.
Support a healthier, happier street
- Fewer car journeys on your local streets can help the neighbourhood feel more pleasant with less noise, pollution and congestion.
Save money while staying active
- Walking, wheeling, or cycling can be affordable and healthy ways to get around. Even swapping a few car trips can make a difference – every little bit saved counts!
The Travel Planning Team is here to support you to explore and try new ways of getting around. Here is a list of the different ways we work with your new community to do this:
Travel Plan
Your new development has a Travel Plan designed to support active and sustainable travel. It includes measures to encourage:
- Active travel modes such as walking, wheeling, and cycling
- Public transport use
- Car sharing
The Travel Plan launched in 2021 and is expected to run to the end of 2026.
South Gloucestershire Council’s Travel Plan Team coordinates the plan and ensures its successful implementation.
Travel Information Packs
When you moved in, you received a welcome letter with Travel Plan details and the name of your Travel Plan Coordinator. You also received a Discover Charfield guide and some useful travel leaflets.
Discover Guide
Discover Charfield is your go-to resource for exploring the local area and getting to know your active and sustainable travel options for the journeys you need to make. It highlights:
- Walking and cycling routes.
- Information on public transport options, car-sharing schemes, bike parking, and other travel-related infrastructure.
- Local amenities and points of interest that help build a vibrant and connected community.
- Green outdoor spaces.
The guide is shaped by local recommendations to help new residents feel at home and to try travelling actively for some of the journeys that need to be made.
When you moved in, you received a printed Discover guide with your welcome pack, and updated editions have been sent out whenever changes have been made. You can request an additional copy at any time by emailing [email protected] or view the digital map online.
Travel Surveys
We conduct an annual travel survey to understand residents travel choices and behaviour so we can make sure we’re delivering the most effective support for your community. As a resident, you’ll receive a letter with a QR code and web link to complete the survey online. Paper copies are available on request.
Your feedback is important to us and helps shape future improvements. We’d love to hear from you.
The survey also lets you ask travel related questions or raise concerns.
2026 fifth and final annual travel survey
- Runs during July 2026
- Charfield Gardens Fifth Annual Travel Survey
Please note, this survey is for residents of the Charfield Gardens development only
2025 fourth annual travel survey highlights
- Ran during July 2025
- Included some door-to-door engagement to boost participation and offer personalised travel planning
Received 33 responses (27 % response rate)
Key survey findings
We’re currently analysing the survey responses. Key findings will be available soon.
Based on feedback from the survey, we’ve addressed commonly raised comments and questions, with detailed responses available in our FAQ section.
Events
Every year we hold events like travel roadshows, local guided walks, and Dr Bike sessions on your new development. These activities are a key part of the Travel Plan and aim to:
- Encourage sustainable and active travel choices.
- Raise awareness of the Travel Plan and the range of travel options available.
- Provide personalised travel advice to help you explore your new area and discover transport options that suit your needs. Our trained travel officers can assist with journey planning and offer extra support to help you try new ways of getting around.
- Boost your confidence in cycling through services like Dr Bike sessions to make your bike roadworthy, bike marking with the police for added security, and cycle training.
- Help you get to know your neighbourhood through guided walks and local activities.
As a resident, you’ll be notified by letter about upcoming events, and you can also find them listed in the ‘Upcoming Events’ section below.
Wider community events are promoted via:
- Eventbrite – the South Gloucestershire Council page, where you can browse and book activities
👉 Eventbrite activities and tickets for South Gloucestershire Council events - Residents update – where you can subscribe to receive a weekly news update by email
👉 News from South Gloucestershire Council
Social media – Follow South Gloucestershire Council on platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)
Upcoming Events
Sustainable Travel Roadshow – Sunday 24 October 2026
Drop by the Sustainable Travel Roadshow and talk to the team about walking, cycling, public transport, and other active and sustainable travel options from your development. Learn how small changes can make a big difference!
A Dr Bike mechanic will also be on hand to carry out free basic bike checks and minor adjustments, helping you keep your bike safe and roadworthy.
Times to be confirmed and will be added here closer to the time.
Gallery of Events
Walk on the Wild Side – July 2026
Sixteen residents joined local conservationist Steve England on Saturday 4 July for a guided walk around Charfield.
The group enjoyed a fascinating morning exploring local green spaces, learning about wildflowers, trees and habitats, and discovering some of the wildlife that can be found right on their doorstep. The sunny weather provided ideal walking conditions, and attendees of all ages enjoyed Steve’s wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural environment.
The event also provided an opportunity for residents to meet with the Travel Plan Coordinator and exchange useful information about Charfield, including sustainable travel options, local amenities and community groups, helping to strengthen community connections.
The photographs capture the group exploring the countryside around Charfield, including the species-rich wildflower meadows and beautiful green spaces that make the area such a special place to live.
Roadshow – August 2025
Guided Walk – August 2025
Walk on the Wild Side with Steve England, Charfield.This walk helped residents to explore their surroundings, connect with the Travel Plan Coordinator and learn about sustainable and active travel options in the area. It also helped foster a sense of community by meeting fellow neighbours.
Useful Websites
There are many resources available to help you get around, plan, and track your journeys. Visit Links to more information to get you started.
Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport – WEST
Great Western Railway – Cam & Dursley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Walking
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Walking is one of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to travel sustainably, and Charfield is well placed for getting around on foot.
Many of the village’s everyday destinations, including the primary school, village hall, playing fields and local shops, are within walking distance of most homes, making walking a convenient option for local journeys.
The village is surrounded by a network of public footpaths, providing easy access to the countryside straight from your doorstep.
If you’re looking for inspiration, the Discover Charfield guide highlights local attractions, green spaces and routes in and around the village. Nearby, Charfield Meadow Nature Reserve offers a tranquil setting for a walk, with species-rich grassland, seasonal wildflowers and an abundance of wildlife.
Walking with others
Walking can be a great way to meet people, stay active and discover new places. Rambling groups organise regular walks throughout South Gloucestershire and the surrounding area.
Whether you’re interested in short social walks or longer countryside rambles, these groups welcome new members and offer opportunities to explore local routes with others.
Finding walking routes
People can access routes and inspiration from:
- Local footpath information via Charfield Parish Council.
- South Gloucestershire Council’s walking pages, including health walks and themed trails.
- Online tools and apps.
Charfield Meadow, Avon Wildlife Trust
Charfield Parish Council Public Rights of Way (PROW)
One You Move More South Gloucestershire Walking page for a range of walking information and routes
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This is a long-term proposal for a traffic-free walking and cycling route connecting Charfield, Wotton-under-Edge and Kingswood. The aim is to provide a safe and sustainable travel route, improving access to local schools, employment opportunities, community services and the future railway station.
The project is being promoted by the Greenway Group, a community-led organisation working in partnership with Stroud District Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Gloucestershire County Council to advocate for the route and support its development.
To learn more about the project and the work of the Greenway Group, visit their website:
Cycling
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Cycling is well suited to short local journeys within Charfield, while the surrounding network of low-traffic country lanes and scenic countryside provides attractive opportunities for leisure cycling. Cycling can also be a practical option for accessing nearby destinations such as Renishaw’s New Mills site and Katherine Lady Berkeley School. For journeys to these and nearby towns and villages, cyclists may need to use busier main roads.
To support cycling in the area, the Better By Bike website offers information on everything from free loan bikes and adult cycle training to trip planning tools, route maps, and local cycling groups.
South Gloucestershire Council also welcomes community input through its cycle forum and public consultations, working to make cycling safer and more accessible for everyone.
Better By Bike
South Gloucestershire cycling pageWotton Skatepark
Just a short distance from Charfield, Wotton Skate Park offers a fun and active space for skateboarders, scooter riders and BMX cyclists of all ages. Located 2 miles away at Wotton Community PARC, the facility provides a safe place to practise skills, build confidence and enjoy outdoor recreation. The wider PARC also offers walking routes, sports facilities and open green space, making it a great destination for families and young people.
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For those cycling to Yate (approximately 8 miles / 13 km), there are secure bike storage options available, including bike hangars and lockers, to help make commuting by bicycle more convenient and reliable.
Bike hangars with 6 spaces are available at Yate Leisure Centre (pay-as-you-go), and with 4 spaces at Yate bus station (subscription only). You can book spaces via the ParkMyBike app, with prices starting at £1/hour or £5/day, and subscriptions from £8/month or £72/year.
For regular commuters, bike lockers are available at Yate train station and Yate Park & Ride. These cost £44.10 per year, with a £39.90 refundable key deposit.
Learn more and apply via the South Gloucestershire bike parking page
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The Yate Community Bike Hub is a volunteer-run, non-profit initiative aimed at promoting cycling in Yate, Chipping Sodbury, and surrounding areas. Located at 16 North Walk, Yate Shopping Centre, the hub refurbishes donated bikes and redistributes them to the community at low or no cost. It also offers loan bikes, affordable cycling accessories, maintenance workshops, and community events like family bike rides and security marking sessions. Current opening times are Monday to Wednesday 2 – 5pm, and Saturday 10am – 3pm.
Whether you’re new to cycling or looking to get more involved, the hub provides a welcoming space to learn, connect, and ride.
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If your bike needs a tune-up, repair, or general maintenance, there are several options to support cyclists:
Repair services
The nearest bike repair shops are in Yate and Dursley. There are also mobile bicycle mechanics that cover the Charfield area. For options, visit the maintenance & repairs section on the Better By Bike website to find a local repair service, or by searching online.
Maintenance & Repairs – Better By Bike
Dr Bike sessions offer free bike safety checks and minor repairs. Mechanics inspect brakes, gears, tyres, and more, often fixing small issues on the spot. These sessions are held regularly in community events and public spaces typically during warmer months.
Emergency Bike Repair Kits (EBRKs) are available at selected public locations across South Gloucestershire. These kits include essentials like tyre levers, patch kits, and pump, ideal for quick fixes while you’re out and about. A host location in Charfield is currently being sought so that residents can benefit from a local kit.
Public Transport
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Service 60 (Stagecoach West)
Thornbury (Rock Street) – Thornbury Health Centre – Falfield – Charfield – Kingswood – Wotton-under-Edge – Upper Cam – Dursley
Buses run Monday – Saturday, 6 journeys a day.
Service Y8 (Eurocoaches)
This minibus service runs a circular service both clockwise and anticlockwise between Yate and Wotton-under-Edge:Yate shopping centre – Wickwar – Cromhall – Charfield – Kingswood – Wotton-under-Edge – Alderley – Hillesley – Hawkesbury Upton – Horton – Chipping Sodbury – Yate rail station – Yate shopping centre
It runs 8 journeys during the day on weekdays and 6 journeys on Saturdays.
Change at Wotton-under-Edge for Dursley.
Change at Chipping Sodbury or Yate for onward journeys to Bristol.
From 26 July 2026, the route will include Leyhill.
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This is an on-demand minibus service operating in the West of England outside Bristol and Bath city centres. It runs without a timetable or route and is booked ‘on-demand’ through the WESTlink app or by phone. It is well used in and around Wickwar.
Charfield is in the Yate rural WESTlink zone. This zone is bordered by the M5 and M4 motorways, and the Gloucestershire border. Charfield and Tortworth are at the north of the zone, Acton Turville to the east and Frampton Cotterell to the west. The area has been expanded slightly around Lyde Green to take in the Bristol & Bath Science Park and Park & Ride site.
Via the Wotton shared zone, you can also get to Katherine Lady Berkeley school, and Wotton-under-Edge for local amenities such as the local doctor’s surgery and shops.
Via Yate rural and other shared zones, you can also travel to Yate and Chipping Sodbury, the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol Parkway station, MOD & Filton Abbey Wood, Southmead Hospital, and Wotton-under-Edge.
WESTlink operates Monday to Saturday, 07:00 to 19:00. It is closed on Sundays & Public Holidays.
Demand for WESTlink is high, especially during the morning and evening peak times. To help secure a ride, it is recommended that you book your outward and return journeys from 7am on the day before you wish to travel.
Please note that proposed journeys will not be offered if they can be made by a fixed route bus or train service.
Visit the website below or call 0117 457 8561 for a specific journey request.
To find out more about the service including fares and pricing
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There are two approved bus service change dates in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. These typically happen in April and September. There may be timetable changes to improve punctuality and reliability, or frequency changes to reflect demand. Occasionally routes change. Details of bus service changes and disruptions can be found on the travel updates page, on the WEST website, the one-stop website for travel information across the West of England.
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The nearest train stations to Charfield are:
Yate Railway Station, located approximately 8.5 miles south (13.5km) at 6 Station Road BS37 4PS, a 25-minute drive.
Trains run regularly, north to Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa from platform 1, and south towards Bristol Temple Meads from platform 2.
You can reach Yate Station in several ways:
- Cycling: Takes approximately 45 minutes. Bike parking is available at the station.
- Bus: The Y8 is a direct minibus service from Wickwar via Chipping Sodbury. Journey time approximately 35 minutes.
- Driving: Limited pay parking is available at the station.
- Park & Ride: You can park free of charge at the Yate Park & Ride site and walk about 8 minutes to the rail station.
Cam and Dursley railway station is 9 miles /14.5km north of Charfield (or 12 miles / 19km via the A38), a 25-minute drive. The station is on the main line between Bristol and Gloucester so fairly well connected for local and longer distance travel. Trains typically run in each direction every hour.
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Charfield railway station is currently under construction near the centre of Charfield village, just off Station Road. It is expected to open in spring 2027.
Once operational, the station will provide a convenient and reliable rail connection:
- South to Bristol – for employment, education, shopping and leisure
- North to Gloucester – with access to further destinations
- Easy connections to the wider UK rail network via key interchange stations
This will offer a quick and sustainable alternative to travelling by car, helping improve access to nearby towns and cities.
There will be a car park and cycle parking facilities at the new train station.
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Yate Park & Ride is situated on the western edge of Yate on the A432 Badminton Road. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is ample parking accommodating up to 198 cars. This includes 38 EV charging bays and 13 disabled parking spaces. Car parking is free to users taking onward journeys by bus or train.
There is a 40-space covered two-tier cycle storage facility, and 6 cycle lockers.
Regular buses call in, or just outside, the Park & Ride site.
Please note that there are no toilet facilities available at the Yate Park & Ride site.
Sustainable Travel Options
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- By bike, a 40-minute journey via Wickwar along the B4059 and B4060. Please note that this is a main road and may be more suitable for experienced cyclists. On the outskirts of Chipping Sodbury, at The Ridings between Peg Hill and St Johns Way, use the dedicated shared pedestrian and cycle path. Running parallel to the main road behind the hedge, it provides a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Take a 30 minute journey on the Y8 bus to the The Clock bus stop on Chipping Sodbury High Street.
- Directly by WESTlink.
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- Travelling from Charfield to Southmead Hospital by public transport requires several connections and relies on Charfield bus times. Journey time is approximately 1.5 – 2 hrs.
- Directly by WESTlink.
- Driving or taxi approximately 16 miles (26km). Journey time approximately 35 minutes.
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Y8 minibus service running a circular service both clockwise and anticlockwise between Yate and Wotton-under-Edge:
Yate shopping centre – Wickwar – Cromhall – Charfield – Kingswood – Wotton-under-Edge – Alderley – Hillesley – Hawkesbury Upton – Horton – Chipping Sodbury – Yate rail station – Yate shopping centre
It runs 8 journeys during the day on weekdays and 6 journeys on Saturdays.
From 26 July 2026, the route will take in Leyhill.
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You can get there by:
- Cycling: a 45-minute cycle ride via Cromhall and Rangeworthy. Please note that this is a main road and may be more suitable for experienced cyclists. A quieter route can be taken through Churchend, West End and Hall End.
- Bus: a 30 -35-minute journey on minibus service Y8, alighting at Morrisons.
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Yate train station is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Charfield at 6 Station Road BS37 4PS. You can get there by:
- Cycling: Takes approximately 45 minutes. Bike parking is available at the station. This option may be suitable for more experienced cyclists.
- Bus: The Y8 is a direct minibus service from Wickwar via Chipping Sodbury. Journey time approximately 35 minutes.
- Driving: Limited pay parking is available at the station.
- Park & Ride: You can park free of charge here and walk about 8 minutes to the station.
Planning your journey
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Many online maps and journey planners can help you find the best routes and travel options. Use digital tools like the WEST Journey Planner, traveline south west, or the Better by Bike route planner to plan your journey by bus, train, walking or cycling.
You also have an opportunity to request personalised travel planning (PTP) in the annual travel survey and by attending our travel events.
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To find out about fares, ticketing and travel cards for public transport in Charfield, and throughout the West of England region, the WEST website now provides a fares calculator when looking at the routes and timetable section and selecting your route or using our Journey Planner, or you can visit the dedicated fares page.
Travel schemes & eligibility
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If you’re of state pension age or have a qualifying disability, you may be eligible for a Diamond Travelcard.
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Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport is a charitable non-profit organisation that provides safe, affordable, and accessible travel for individuals or groups who are unable to use public transport and who would otherwise have no other way of getting around. For further information, including how to become a member and charges, visit their website, or call 01454 250500 or 01454 250510.
Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport
Yate Shopmobility Service is a charity-run service designed to help those with limited mobility access the shops and facilities. Based in Yate Shopping Centre – 44 West Walk beside the library, it offers mobility scooter and wheelchair hire (manual and powered). Free daily hire for those who possess any English bus pass (a small membership fee is required), with low-cost hire for others. For more information on the scheme and opening times, visit Yate Shopmobility or phone 07749 954275.
Car clubs & EV charging
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There is currently no car club based in Charfield. The nearest car club provision is at Lyde Green Park & Ride, operated by Enterprise.
Additional car club options can be found by looking at car club schemes on the WEST Car Club web page or explore regional platforms to see if services are available nearby.
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There are currently no public electric vehicle (EV) charging points within Charfield. However, nearby options are available at Waitrose Chipping Sodbury, Yate Shopping Centre and the Yate Park & Ride.
Up-to-date information on the nearest charging points can be found on the South Gloucestershire Council EV charging webpage, which includes details on charger availability, types, and access arrangements.
Reporting and support
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Contact South Gloucestershire Council via their website or calling their customer service line by phoning 01454 868000.
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For bus service feedback, lost property or any other queries related to bus services, please contact the bus operator.
South Gloucestershire Council and the West of England Combined Authority manage different parts of the region’s bus information and infrastructure. Please visit the Service feedback page to find out who to send your query to or complete the online form.
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Contact South Gloucestershire Council via their website or calling their customer service line by phoning 01454 868000.
Services and training
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Cycling
Practical support is available to help you travel more sustainably!
During the warmer months, you can take advantage of free services like Dr Bike, cycle training, and bike maintenance workshops – all designed to help you feel more confident and keep your bike in great shape.
Visit South Gloucestershire’s Eventbrite page where you can browse and book activities.For more offers, including Borrow a Bike scheme coordinated by the Roadshow team at Bristol City Council, visit the WEST website and access the travel offers form to apply.
Or find out about events offered by the Yate Community Bike Hub such as the Dr Bike sessions, cycle maintenance courses, Rusty Riders, community cycle rides and the Wheels to Work scheme.

Contact us
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If you’d like more information about the Travel Plan or sustainable and active travel options in your area, please email [email protected] and a member of the team will be happy to assist you.