Cotswold Way - Walk 12

Walk 12: Hawksbury Upton - Tormarton Interchange

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Walk Distance: 9.6 miles (15.5 km), 4h26m.

Cumulative Distance: 95.4 miles (153.5 km), 36h00m.

The next (penultimate) walk will be on Tuesday, 21st May. Tormarton Interchange to the site of the Battle of Lansdown. Overall there are 15 miles of the Way remaining.

Cotswold Way - Walk 11

Walk 11: North Nibley - Hawksbury Upton

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Teasel and I set of from North Nibley at 9:38am, along with Mark, Liz, William, George and Alice where were joining us for the start of the walk. The route crosses the B4060 and heads up a shady recessed track to ascend the slopes of Nibley Knoll. The official route ascends steep steps, but these have recently been closed by a landslip. The diversion follows the bridleway to the top of the escarpment and then cuts back towards the plateau and the Tyndale Monument. Here there are fine open views across the Severn Vale and the River Severn to the Severn Bridges.

The path now follows the edge and enters woodland arriving shortly at Brackenbury Hill Fort. Here Teasel and I carried on while our companions returned to North Nibley. The path emerges from the wood to follow the edge of a lush green field, and then begins to descend a spur towards Wotton-under-Edge. Perched on the end of the spur above the town is a stand of trees, on a spot originally planted in 1815 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo.

The path descends sharply to emerge back on the B4060 in Wotton, and passes through the town, and follows an alley to a churchyard before leaving the town along Valley Road, which becomes a path alongside a stream, which continues across a road to come out at Coombe. Here the route follows the road briefly, before striking steeply up a track to come back out on another road over Blackquarries Hill. After 1km of road walking a track cuts off right along the edge. Follow this arrive at a seat overlooking Tor Hill. Here we found a guidebook to the Cotswold Way, but soon caught up with its owners and were able to repatriate it.

The route enters a wood on Wortley Hill and begins descending on a forest track that soon becomes a miniature ravine with fallen trees spanning the top before emerging into fields by the village of Wortley. Cross the road and follow a mown path through a grassy field to a footbridge crossing a stream, then follow a track up to the village of Alderley. Here the route skirts around the bottom of Winner Hill to join a road running alongside Kilcott Brook. The road is followed for a mile and then the path heads uphill along another recessed track, through a field and Claypit Wood carpeted with bluebells.

The track along Clay Hill turns a slight bend and suddenly the Somerset Monument of the edge above Hawkesbury appears and soon we are by the base of it. Here a permissive path obviates the need to walk along to road and at 1:48pm we arrives at the reedy farm pool by Hawkesbury Upton.

Walk Distance: 10.6 miles (17.1 km), 4h10m.

Cumulative Distance: 85.8 miles (138.0 km), 31h25m.

The next walk will be Sunday 19th May. Hawksbury Upton to Tormarton Interchange. There's about 24 miles left to do.

Cotswold Way - Walk 10

Walk 10: Uley Bury - North Nibley

[See the photos on Facebook]

We set off from Uley Bury at 8:05am. The early morning mist, which had lifted from surrounding areas was still lingering on Uley Bury and Cam Long Down, rendering them invisible. The route descends rapidly below the steep slopes of Uley Bury and emerges at Hodgecombe Farm. Cam Long Down rears up ahead, its summit in the mist. As we ascend steeply through fields to reach the trees on Cam Long Down bits of the surrounding escarpment begin to appear through the mist.

We reach the lumpy summit ridge of Cam Long Down - "one of the few places on the Way to offer an uninterrupted 360° view" - well not today as it's still wreathed in mist, offering only the occasional glimpse of the fields below. As we descend to the saddle between Cam Long Down and Peaked Down (Cam Peak), the mist starts to lift, giving views of Downham Hill.

The official route no longer goes over Cam Peak, but we nipped up it through the bluebells to look back at the emerging escarpment and onward past Dursley to Stinchcombe Hill. Then we returned to the official route which takes you through the fields to enter Dursley via Long Street, past the Market Hall and along the pedestrianised shopping street.

Passing the new Library and leaving Dursley on Hill Road (which is aptly named) we pass The Old Spot, venue for many Macaroni Penguins gigs (the next one is on 14th July), and then ascend sharply up the road and continue climbing to the plateau of Stinchcombe Hill via a wooded track. Emerging on the golf course by the Club House the path now follows a circuitous route around the golf course following the edge of the plateau. For three miles the paths weaves in and out of the woods ending up only 1/3 mile from the point where you first emerged. (Although to be fair the signposts do offer you the choice of shortcutting this part of the route). When you reach Drakestone Point the view improves, and the escarpment topped by the Tyndale Monument is clearly visible. There is also a Topograph, trig point and impressive stone bench here.

The plateau curves around Hollow Combe and then drops down along a wooded track, and continues through fields to cross a stream and a road (the B4060) before following a track lined with wild garlic that ascends into North Nibley. The hedgerows shield the views of the Monument until you arrive in the village. We finished the walk at 11:05am.

North Nibley is about two-thirds of the way along the Cotswold Way.

Walk Distance: 8.0 miles (12.9 km), 3h01m.

Cumulative Distance: 75.1 miles (121.0 km), 27h25m.

The next walk will probably be on Saturday, 18th May.

Cotswold Way - Walk 9

Walk 9: Stroud - Uley Bury

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We set off from Dudbridge at 8:43am on a lovely sunny morning, and picked up the Cotswold Way (Selsley Variation) at the crossing of the A419. The path heads into a large grassy field and begins a steady climb towards Selsley Common, and away from the busy road. For some reason the field has an isolated metal stile in it, and a substantial stone slab forming a bridge over a tiny stream.

In Selsley the route takes you along Pooles Lane and past the unusual All Saints Church, before heading onto Selsley Common - with its wild flowers, skylarks and absence of the usual cows - and climbing a spur to a Topograph and Long Barrow at the top.

The route leaves the Common and descends into Penn Wood picking up a track that follows the lower edge of the wood below Pen Hill. The vivid greens of the new leaves in the sun brighten up the walk through the wood as there is not much scope for views.

Above Middleyard the main route of the Cotswold Way rejoins our path. It's come pretty much directly from the canal at Ryeford, and has missed out on Selsley Common. A good path continues through the wood, at one point popping down below the lower edge of Stanley Wood to give views of May Hill, the Malverns and back to Standish Wood, before re-entering the trees and gradually rising towards both the road and the Coaley Peak Picnic Area where there is another restored Long Barrow - Nympsfield Long Barrow - although not as impressive as Belas Knap.

The route now follows the edge of the escarpment across the open grassland of the picnic area to another Topograph on Frocester Hill with fine views of the Severn Vale and towards Stinchcombe Hill, to be visited on the next walk. The Tyndale Monument can just be seen poking up above the horizon.

The path now follows a narrow strip of National Trust land which is gradually hemmed into a disused quarry with roads on either side above you. Steps lead out of the quarry to the road junction. After the junction the path descends sharply into Coaley Wood, where the noise of the road was drowned out by the chainsaws as Forestry Work was being carried out. As the noise of the chainsaws died away the path rises and then levels out, passing through the wood and some disused quarries to re-emerge by the road next to Uley Bury (a large Iron Age Hill Fort) at a bench with views towards Cam Long Down.

The official route leaves the escarpment here and heads for Cam Long Down, but it seems a shame to be so close to Uley Bury without visiting it, so we made a clockwise circuit before returning to the bench at 11:35am.

Walk Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 km), 2h44m.

Cumulative Distance: 67.1 miles (108.0 km), 24h24m.

The next walk, Uley Bury - North Nibley, may happen on Friday, 17th May, or Saturday, 18th May.

Cotswold Way - Walk 8

Walk 8: Painswick - Stroud

[See the photos on Facebook]

I got up, had my breakfast and stepped out the front door onto the Cotswold Way at 8:07am. Past the Spectacle Stocks and through Painswick Churchyard with its fine collection of yew trees. Then through the lych gate, across the A46 and along Edge Road to Hambutts Field, which recently acquired a memorial post to commemorate Tony Drake who was instrumental in the development of The Cotswold Way.

So far this could be the start of a normal day - walking the dog in Hambutts Field. But instead of taking our normal route we struck out across the fields to Washbrook Farm. The path goes through a small woodland with plenty of bluebells and over a footbridge. Here the long climb up to Scottsquar Hill starts. Initially through a field, we passed a stone post telling us we were now 55 miles from Bath. The other side said we were 47 miles from Chipping Campden (although by my route it's 51 miles), and then joined Jenkin's Lane to bring us out on the A4173 by the Edgemoor Inn. Here the path marches directly up the slopes of Edge Common. I opted for a slightly less steep route by detouring to the north.

Once the crest of the ridge is obtained, you cross the road and then descend through woodland down the far site to follow another track contouring around the hill through woodland with only occasional views. After a mile or so you emerge onto a road which drops down to Cliff Well, a tiny building the formerly housed a well (although it now seems to be capped with concrete). The building is adorned with many stone carvings and the following inscription:

DEO GRATIAS
Whoer the Bucketfull upwindeth,

Let him bless God who Water findeth:

Yet Water here but small availeth,

Go seek that Well which never faileth.

John C. 4, V. 14.

Carrying on one shortly encounters The Siege Stone commemorating the raising of the Siege of Gloucester on 5th September 1643 by the troops of Charles I, although I couldn't make out either of the inscriptions.

The path soon comes out at another road, turns up it briefly and then makes a short steep ascent up a farm track to regain the escarpment and come out at the trig point on the summit of Haresfield Beacon (217m).

From here the path passes ancient earthworks and traverses the top of a small green valley to come out on Shortwood Common. At the end of the spur is another Topograph topped with a relief model of the surrounding countryside. According to my calculations this is the half-way point of the Cotswold Way (although I won't know the actual half-way point until I've actually finished).

From here one crosses the open grassland to the National Trust car park, and then enters Standish Wood - a popular, pleasant and ancient woodland. After a while the waymarked path through the wood joins the track of Robber's Road, past a large Long Barrow glowing green in the sunlight, and then through disused quarries to emerge on a spur overlooking Stroud. Continuing through fields (and the excellently named Three Bears Wood) you cross a railway line to emerge on a school playing field. A short distance along Ebley Road brings you to the restored Stroudwater Canal at Ryeford.

Here I opted to take the alternate route that takes you over Selsley Common, but first you follow the canal into Stroud. Now this section has been restored it is a pleasant stroll to the Stroud Council Offices at the former Ebley Mill. Picking up a path from the corner of the council car park leads you through a field and up some steps to a former railway, now a cycle path by the A419 Ebley Bypass.

The path crosses the road (at a pedestrian crossing), where the next walk strikes off up towards Selsley. I carried on along the cycle path to finish at the remains of Dudbridge Station (1867 - 1969).

Walk Distance: 10.1 miles (16.3 km), 3h37m.

Cumulative Distance: 59.9 miles (96.5 km), 21h40m.

The next walk will happen when the weather improves. (Possibly Wednesday morning, 15th May). Update: Thursday 16th May looks more likely.

Cotswold Way - Walk 7

Walk 7: Barrow Wake - Painswick

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The forecast had been for rain spreading from the west in the afternoon. Then it gradually moved earlier and earlier until it was due to arrive at 11am. So we set off early from Barrow Wake at 8:45am. It was sunny, but there was quite a chilly wind blowing and clouds were massing to the west.

The path follows the edge of the escarpment and then enters the woods at Birdlip Peak, after which views are fleeting for several miles. Quite soon you cross a road descending steeply to The Witcombes. A brave soul was cycling up it. The path cuts down the slope to pick up a track through Witcombe Wood. With the heavy showers yesterday the track was a bit squishy in places, but not too bad.

After 3 miles of walking on forest tracks (there are plenty of way marks to keep you on the route), with only the purple haze of the bluebells, the odd wood pecker and the odd fleeting glimpse of Witcombe Reserviors and Roman Villa for amusement we emerged in the small village of Cooper's Hill - famous for the cheese-rolling antics of its inhabitants. The path passes underneath the strip of hillside where this takes place, and then goes steeply up through the woods to emerge at the top of it. We stopped for a sandwich.

It's then back into the woods and another steep pull up to the earthworks of another ancient settlement at High Brotheridge, and the road noise indicates were are getting closer to the A46. Descending through Rough Park we came out at Cranham Corner, crossed the A46 and head back into the woods. Emerging shortly onto a road, that becomes a track, and then a golf course.

This is Painswick Common. I have walked here dozens of times with Teasel, so we depart from the official route (which follows an often muddy bridleway across the common) to follow the gentle slopes across the golf course and up to the hill fort at the summit on Painswick Beacon (283m). We descended The Beacon, had another sandwich and then crossed the golf course to reach Catbrain Tump, rather than take the official route past the rather unappealing Catbrain Quarry (which has taken a significant bite out of the hill), and rejoined the official path by the Cemetery. Only to depart from it again to pass through The Plantation (instead of walking through the Walker's Car Park and road) to reach Gloucester Road into Painswick. The official route carries on along this road into the centre of Painswick, but I took Gyde Road, past the rather grand Gyde House, crossed the A46 and the Recreation Ground to arrive at The Cross and my front door at 11:37am, having successfully avoided the rain (which turned up within an hour).

Walk Distance: 8.7 miles (14.0 km), 2h50m.

Cumulative Distance: 49.8 miles (80.2 km), 18h03m.

The next walk (which will include the half-way point) is scheduled for Tuesday 14th May, but I may have to bring it forward to Monday 13th May to make better use of the weather.

Cotswold Way - Walk 6

Walk 6: Lineover Wood - Barrow Wake

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Teasel and I set off from Lineover Wood at 10:30am. The forecast was for a cool overcast day, but there was the odd patch of sun and we made good progress. The re-routed path sticks to the higher ground through the wood, but that also means it's close to the A436, but they soon diverge and the traffic noise dies away.

The route passes under the crackling power lines that we first met just after Belas Knap and skirts around the top of Wistley Hill with views back to Cleeve Hill and on to Hartley Hill, before heading back towards the main road. Apparently in times past you had to walk along the verge of the A436 to Seven Springs, but now a path has been created along the edge of the field on the other side of the hedge. Still close to the road, but massively better than having to walk along the road.

At Seven Springs you cross the A435 and follow a quiet road and then a track which climbs slowly up Charlton Kings Common to regain the top of the escarpment. I've been here a few times (it's a popular spot), but never seen it so quiet. As we arrived at the summit trig point of Leckhampton Hill (293m) (which has been painted light green for some reason) the sun came out, so we stopped for a spot of lunch.

The path leads down to a car park and then follows the road back uphill to pick up a track that passes Salterley Grange and a golf course to come out at Star College. More road walking takes you past an old army base before heading into Barrow Piece Plantation where the path follows the edge of the escarpment to Crickley Hill - the site of a 6000 year old Stone Age settlement. An excellent viewpoint, but annoying traffic noise from the A417 below. This becomes louder until you are unceremoniously dumped into the traffic by the Air Balloon Roundabout.

We dashed across the road at a suitable gap in the almost continuous traffic, and followed the pavement uphill (with heavy traffic slowly coming down the hill) until we were able to pick up the traffic free remains of the old road to the viewpoint at Barrow Wake. We arrived at 1:20pm.

Walk Distance: 8.6 miles (13.8 km), 2h49m.

Cumulative Distance: 41.1 miles (66.2 km), 15h13m.

The next walk, from Barrow Wake to Painswick, should be happening on Sunday 12th May.