2026 marks the 40th year of Meningitis Now, and we hope you will join us for our flagship event, the Five Valleys Walk - a sponsored walk through the stunning Cotswold countryside that is jam-packed with something for everyone.
Not only is it a fabulous day out for all the family, but you will help us in the fight against meningitis every step of the way.
With routes and activities for all ages and abilities, it really is the perfect family day out! Although the 21-mile route is a tough challenge, you can choose your distance and cover anything from 1.5 miles, up to the full course. When you’re finished, catch a bus back to any point on the route thanks to our fantastic partners at Stagecoach.
We also have a brand-new addition to the day – the Five Valleys 5K! This is a shorter accessible walk, separate from the main 21-miles and will take you along the beautiful canal path to Stonehouse Court Hotel Canalside Lawn, with an activity for the kids along the way and then back to the Stroud Cricket Club to finish!
Save the date for 2027 – Sunday 26 September! Tickets will be available at the beginning of June!
Five Valleys Walk
Early bird registration
Open until 7pm Saturday 27 September
Adult: £12.50
Child: £6.50 (Under 3s free)
Family (2A & 2C): £35
Group: £40
On the day registration
Checkpoints open 8am
Cash & card available at all checkpoints
Adult: £15
Child: £8
🥾 Step 1
Choose your
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Tickets will be available at the beginning of June!
🥾 Step 3
Create your JustGiving page to
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Share your fundraising page with your friends and family and ask them to support you
🥾 Step 5
Mark yourself as going on the
Five Valleys 5K
Registration details
Start anytime between 10am – 1.30pm
Family ticket (2 adults & 3 children): £20
Additional tickets: £5 per person
Under 3’s free
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This event will have a later start time to the main Five Valleys Walk to avoid congestion at the Stroud Cricket Club.
The route is accessible for those with prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc.
You may cross paths with the public and may have to wait to one side at points along the canal.
Please be aware that this is not a running event.
Stagecoach Bus Service
Stagecoach bus and coach services have been supporting the Five Valleys Walk since the very first event, almost 40 years ago. Providing a free bus service for all walkers taking part in the event. The Stagecoach service at the Five Valleys Walk relies on volunteers to run. Thank you so much to Stagecoach staff from the Stroud, Oxford, and Bristol depots, alongside colleagues from Head Office, who assist with the event.
See the Stagecoach Bus service FAQs here.
Ruth Hickson design
This year, we have the wonderful Ruth Hickson, an illustrator based in the beautiful Stroud valleys designing our route maps for both the Five Valleys Walk and the Five Valleys 5k, bringing a new exciting touch to the event.
Are you a corporate team?
If you are a business and would like to sponsor the event or enter a team, we have a range of opportunities available. Please contact our Corporate Manager Laura Williams on LauraW@meningitisnow.org.
Set a fundraising goal
Help us continue to support people affected by meningitis in the UK by raising £40 (or more!) to commemorate our 40th year. Better yet, why not ask your friends and family to sponsor your 21-mile challenge?
£40 could pay for travel costs so a young person can access vital support at an activity day.
£40 could help a young person meet other people affected by meningitis through an online craft activity.
£5
Could pay for 143 students to each receive meningitis signs and symptom card.
£10
Could pay for 2 initial calls to our nurse-led Helpline.
£40
could help us send lifesaving awareness materials to three universities.
Your welcome email will include helpful information about how to donate or raise sponsorship, or you can click the buttons below to get started!
To find out more about the people you are helping support, visit our website
If you have any questions about this year’s walk please contact the Fundraising Team on
fundraising@meningitisnow.org or call 01453 768000.