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With breathtaking views of the Severn Vale, Coaley Peak, between Stroud and Uley, is a picture-perfect spot, whether you want to fly a kite or pitch up on one of the picnic tables. It’s on the Cotswold Way too. There is good parking on site and often an ice cream van on a summers weekend.
Walk to the Trig Point, a special spot, and the Nympsfield Long Barrow stands at the other. Constructed in the Neolithic period, it has long been the subject of local legends. It forms part of a chain of 3 sites on this stretch of the Edge, the others make a relatively easy walk, but allow at least 2 hours or so. Head south to Hetty Peler's Tump and Uley Long Barrow. Both also listed here.....
Nympsfield, Stroud, GL11 5AU
The Cotswolds aonb web site contains lots of interesting information including self -guided walks, information on places to visit and history of the area too.
The Cotswolds was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966. Covering 790 sq miles, stretching from Bath in the south to Banbury in the north. AONBs together with the 15 National Parks cover around 25% of our countryside.
1000 years of history in one small town.
A flourishing Market Town from the middle ages, the centre of agriculture for the Severn Vale and a producer of woollen cloth. Following the decline of wool was the rise of engineering. R.A. Lister became famous for agricultural machinery and engines and Mawdsley’s was well known for its electrical machinery.
At the end of the 19th Century Mikael Pedersen came to work for Lister’s and invented his distinctive bicycle, still admired to this day. A restored early example now holds pride of place in the Heritage Centre.
We have displays of machinery and small objects of interest, all made in Dursley, or with very close connections with the town, as well as books to browse and a large video screen showing local scenes and films.
Castle Street, Dursley, GL11 4BS
On the Cotswold Way Ozleworth's beautiful church near to Newark Park stands in a circular churchyard, suggesting perhaps a pre-Christian site. The irregular hexagonal tower rising almost from the centre of the building.It is Norman, and a little gem.
Ozleworth, Wotton-Under-Edge, GL12 7QA
Steve is a certified guide who can tailor a tour for you. Check out his web site for some ideas....
"I love telling visitors about the hidden gems:
Ghandi bought his glasses in Gloucester. The Golden Valley is the home to Damien Hurst's foundry. Walk in the footsteps of poet and author Laurie Lee. Poldark and Harry Potter filmed in the area. Stroud is home of the inventor of the lawn mower.
The last Private battle in England took place at Nibley Green. The last fatal pistol duel in England and so much more", Steve Roth.
10 miles south of Gloucester, near the River Severn, is the charming Frampton on Severn.
Home to a large village green, 22 acres in size and reputedly the longest in England, it was known as Rosamund's Green by the mid 17th century, apparently from the village's association with Fair Rosamund. The green has three ponds, two pubs and there is a sailing club tucked away at the far end.
The Domesday Book mentioned the manor of Frampton in 1089. The parish church of St Mary the Virgin was consecrated in 1315, but partly dates from the 12th century, while the congregational church was built in 1769. The designated Conservation Area around the green, includes Tudor and Georgian houses and the village also has a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Much of the village forms part of the Frampton Court Estate, owned by the Clifford family.
The Frampton Country fair is held here each year in September and draws large crowds from all over the UK. The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal runs to the west side of the village and Saul Junction is close by.
The Green, Frampton on Severn, GL2 7EP
Explore the life of Georgian scientist Edward Jenner, the country doctor who changed the world, at his former home in the historic market town of Berkeley.
In 1798 he published the results of his investigations into the use of a mild disease, cowpox, to protect against the feared virus smallpox. Jenner devoted the rest of his life to helping others to carry out the practice that he called ‘vaccination’. This couldn't be more relevant today.
Discover the beautiful garden and Temple of Vaccinia, where you can reflect on the achievements of this remarkable man.
Church Ln, Berkeley, GL13 9BN
This iconic group of trees, planted in 1888 overlooks Wotton-under-Edge and is on the Cotswold Way. There are far-reaching views across the Severn Bridges and Wales, and even the distant Brecon Beacons on a clear day.
Leave the car in Wotton and follow the Cotswold Way signs for a rewarding walk up the edge (or drive up Old London Road and park at the top (where the road widens) then it's an almost flat walk. Take the flat path into the woods, turn left either just inside the field (it's very easy to spot), or go a little further and go left along the woodland path. They both meet a kissing gate. Pass through and drink in the view.....
Click on the QR code for more Wotton Walks....
Extend the walk to Brackenbury Ditches and all the way to Tyndale Monument on Nibley Knoll. It's 126 steps up the tower for a rare 360 degrees bird's eye view.
See the Video on youtube for a" reverse" of this route with music by the Hypthetics, a local band. It's the intro to their first single, "What do you see?".
Old London Road, Wotton Under Edge, GL12 7PS
A Grade I listed country house of Tudor hunting lodge origins with an estate of 700 acres on the Cotswold escarpment. National Trust since 1946. Built between 1544 and 1556 for Sir Nicholas Poyntz (d.1557). The house, gardens and walks, as well as a cuppa, good parking too. You might like to go and visit the Saxon Church in the neighbouring Ozelworth Estate too.
Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7PZ
This is a top 5 favourite of ours and it's free. You can drive to within a short slight uphill walk and be rewarded by fabulous 360 degree views across the Severn Vale to the Forest of Dean and north beyond Gloucester. It's about 283m or 920ft above sea level.
The Painswick Golf Course uses the hill fort and people walk, cycle, horse ride and picnic here. near the King Charles 1st, who on seeing the beautiful valley to the east, said "This must be Paradise". We won't argue with that.
The Wysis Way, linking Offa's Dyke Path National Trail at Monmouth to the beginning of the Thames Path National Trail in Gloucestershire, meets the Cotswold Way at Painswick Beacon.
It is also called Painswick Hill, Castle Godwin and Kimsbury Hill Fort. It has a long history, being first inhabited in the Iron Age as a hill fort between 500 and 100 BC. It is an impressive sight.
Walk in the footsteps of Cider with Rosie (which we recommend) author, Laurie Lee, as you explore the glorious, tranquil & hidden Slad valley. The Laurie Lee Wildlife Way is a beautiful 5-mile walking route, Countryfile Walk from 2018, or / and stop for lunch at much-loved The Woolpack Inn.
The Woolpack Inn, Slad, GL67QA
The Domesday Survey of AD 1086 records a priest in Painswick, so we assume that a church stood on this site in Saxon times. The first church building was probably built about 1040, added to in the Thirteenth century by the De Laci Family after the Norman Conquest. The Chapel was built in about 1377 and 1401. The tower was added in 1430, the Nave in 1480 and the sanctuary from 1546.
Around 1644 Royalist troops used cannon and firebombs to drive out the Parliamentarians quartered inside the church. There is graffiti on one of the columns left by one of the soldiers during the siege. Work continued through the 1700s and beyond.
The ninety nine yew trees and the unique ledger tombs date from the early eighteenth century.
New Street, Painswick, GL6 6UN
The Stroudwater canal walk from the Royal Geographical Society, along the towpath from Stroud to Stonehouse, tells the story of the Stroud Valley - from the past, present to the future. With plenty to observe along the way including mills, locks, bridges, warehouses, beautiful scenery and wildlife.
GL5 4LH
High on the valley side it’s in a semi derelict state. It includes fascinating memorials and a Victorian Chapel (shuttered). A nature reserve with pathways to explore. A leaflet detailing the history and wildlife is available on its web site, it’s worth a read.
Bisley Rd, Stroud, GL5 1HJ
7.5 feet (2.3 m) high. The area has numerous prehistoric barrows and near by ornaments, flint and arrowheads have all been found. Supposedly the burial site of a Danish leader after a battle at Woeful Danes' Bottom. The nearby tumuli may be the graves of soldiers.
Minchinhampton Common, Minchinhampton
Walking from the village: To get to the top of this ancient fort from the village, walk from beside the pub on the main road through Uley. Cross the road and take the narrow footpath to the right of the church. Fork right before the first house and follow the path up towards the kissing gate. Enter the field and head for the edge of the woods to pick up the path towards the gate at the top. Enter the woods and continue straight uphill along the higher path to emerge at the foot of Uley Bury.
By car: drive north out of uley and as the road climbs it passes through woodland. When it opens out again there is parking on the left and an easy pedestrian entrance onto Uley Bury.
Uley Bury is the long and impressive flat-topped Iron Age hill fort dating from around 300 B.C. It commands spectacular views from the Cotswold escarpment over the Severn Vale.
The fort’s double line of ramparts are more than a mile in length overall. Aerial photography has revealed extensive crop marks suggesting that there were once numerous dwellings in the interior of the hill fort. The walk around its ramparts is flat, through woodland rich in Ash, Beech and Oak, carpeted with calcareous grasses and wild flowers.
It was locally once known as the "maiden" hill, since it was said never to have been captured and indeed so steep is the hill it is hard to imagine it being taken unless by surprise at the narrow neck that unites it with high land to the east. Another interpretation is that the name 'maiden' comes from Celtic words for 'great hill'. Occupation seems to have ceased from 100 AD, by which time the Romans had conquered all of England.
Uley, GL11 5TL
Also known as Hetty Pegler's Tump, one of our favourite local names, is a burial mound, or long barrow, built around 3,800 BC, towards the end of the Stone Age. There are 5 chambers and you can crawl inside to take a look (go carefully).
It's just off the Cotswold Way, between Coaley Peak and Uley Bury, and forms part of an ancient and fascinating landscape.
Driving through Uley towards Stroud, the road rises onto the escarpment (past the postcode / sat nav spot so ignore it from now). You'll pass the parking area for Uley Bury. Keep going and after the road levels out there is a big field on your left. You can see the mound in the far left corner. There is an unmarked entrance on the left off the road and space for a car or two.
Crawley Hill, Uley, GL11 5BH
Rising above the Severn Vale to about 220m, Westridge has become popular with walkers, trail runners, mountain bike riders and horse riders, and is crossed by the Cotswold Way.
Timing: walking from Wotton to Tyndale Monument and back, allow 2hrs. It's quite a stiff climb to the top and then basically flat from there. You can park up on Old London Road too and miss out the climb!!
With the Tyndale Monument at the most westerly point and the Jubilee Clump above Wotton at the other, it's a great place to explore. But be a little careful as it's also fairly easy to get lost, so follow the signs and way markers.
The Cotswold Way passes Brackenbury Ditches, an Iron Age fort over 2,000 yrs old and perched on the Cotswold Edge. Take a walk round it's ramparts. (what three words: designs.sunflower.squabbles)
From the meadow by the monument it's easy to see the futuristic Swinhay House, home of Renishaw plc founder Sir David McMurtry, designed by eco-architect David Austin. In 2014 it featured in the final episode of the third series of BBC One's Sherlock. It is opened to the public on occasions too.
Check out Wotton Trails on this site too....
Old London Road, Wotton Under Edge, GL12 7PS
It is an unfinished masterpiece. Building started about 1857, but stopped in the mid-1860s so all the secrets of the construction of the Mansion are visible. Designed by Benjamin Bucknall as a unique Gothic Revival house.
Well known for it's ghosts and breeding colonies of Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats, so book a tour, it's special.
Allow enough time to explore the valley and lakes too!
Nympsfield, Nailsworth, GL10 3TS
Fancy a walk with a theme? Then perhaps a wander around Wotton Under Edge looking for the Almshouses and reading about their history will be just what you're after.... and then a cuppa for your efforts?
If you are still in need of a challenge then perhaps a walk up the Cotswold Way to the Jubilee Clump. The details are on the Jubillee Clump walk page.
Tabemacle Pitch, Wotton Under Edge, GL12 7ED
The Wotton-Under-Edge Historical Society and Heritage Centre is housed in a converted fire station and located in The Chipping. There is always a display to enjoy (and tourist info available) and the centre contains a sizeable collection of archives, records, photographs and genealogical research material.
The Chipping, Wotton-Under-Edge, GL12 7AD