Nympsfield, Cotswold Way & Woodchester
On arrival at Nympsfield, we were able to park
opposite the Coach and Horses Pub, which is reputed
to be the highest inn in the Cotswold’s, and was
our intended venue for end of walk
refreshments. But more about that later.
So it was boots on and shortly after 9.30 a.m., we
were crossing fields heading in a north westerly
direction to meet the Cotswold Way where it
“touched” the B4066 at the north end of Coaley
Wood.
Pictures from
Nympsfield to Coaley Peak and the Cotswold
Way.
On reaching the Cotswold Way at Coaley Peak, we
were impressed by the views from the Peak’s scarp
edge that stretched across the Severn Estuary to
the Forest of Dean beyond and, with the assistance
of a nearby topograph, many other distant points
were easily recognised. Usually, on our walks, we
start quite low but having today started at over
200 metres above sea level, and having lost no
height, the views where immediate. However,
on the downside the wind coming from the west was
quite cool, so we soon left this exposed location
and started northwards and immediately entered the
Coaley Peak Country Park.
Although a barrier of trees in the park blocked the
views to the west they also helped to stop most of
the westerly wind and we immediately felt warmer as
we proceeded through the park before following the
Cotswold Way into woodland. For the next
couple of miles we followed a well-used and obvious
path that generally traversed the lower reaches of
Buckholt Wood and Stanley Wood before we reached
the northern edge of Pen Wood. Here we turned
right leaving the Cotswold Way with the intention
of taking an ascending path to Selsey Common.
However, somewhere along the path we missed another
right turn – we were probably in deep meaningful
conversation – and soon found ourselves descending
into the community of Middleyard.
Along the Cotswold Way
from Coaley Peak
Mick and a friend he
met going downhill to Middleyard.
Middleyard seemed a pleasant little village.
However, we didn’t admire it for long as this
unscheduled visit meant we then had to regain, via
another route, all the height we had lost on our
descent. So with me in the lead – most
unusual – we started uphill to the top of Selsey
Common and I was certainly relieved to join my
companions, who, having gone past me, had reached a
seat conveniently located near the summit.
Here, while we enjoyed the view west and
refreshments, comments about old people climbing
hills, ageing knees and bus passes were endured.
Views on Selsey Common
Break over, we walked across the common and, having
crossed the B4066, we took a tarmac track by
Boundary Court and followed this south east
(signposted Inchbrook). At a junction, we
left the tarmac track and followed a field path
that went right (south east). Within a minute
or so, the path went left into another field and we
went the wrong way. We should have followed
the field boundary to the left, but I swear the
sign directed us to the right across and down the
field. On reaching the bottom of the field,
and not seeing a path, the map was referred to and
we were soon back on the correct route, an easy
walk downhill towards Inchbrook. However, we
never actually reached Inchbrook as the road/track
we reached just outside Inchbrook was at the
entrance to Woodchester Park, which was
on today’s route. We therefore turned
right and entered the park.
Walking in Woodchester
Park.
In a nutshell, the park is in a valley covered with
trees with a string of five lakes running through
it. As we started at the eastern end of the
park our route was uphill and initially we followed
the track on the north side of the first lake, but
by the time we got to the second lake Peter had
found a muddy route closer to the water, which he
thought we should enjoy, or was that endure.
The amazing thing was, nobody landed on their back
or lower part of their anatomy from sliding and
skidding through this morass of vegetation and
mud. However, Peter enjoyed it. It gave
him the opportunity to get is trousers really
muddy. I bet when he was young he loved
playing in puddles. He probably still does.
We continued on past the fourth and fifth lakes as we approached Woodchester Mansion which is currently having major building work undertaken. It certainly looks an impressive building and, when it is completed, it should look magnificent. In fact the best it’s ever looked as, although its construction was started in the mid 1800s, it was never actually completed. (I note that the work has now been completed - October 2008)
Mick and Peter walking
along the wooded track to Woodchester Park
Mansion
It was about here, as we walked to the car park
entrance at the top (west) end of the park that we
discussed modes of walking. There is no doubt
that Peter is a mucky walker. Every time we
go for a walk, his trousers get really
splattered. Although Larry wasn’t with us, it
was commented that even on photographs Larry
generally looks as if he is lolloping. No
comment was made about Mick’s or my walking
style. However, I don’t think either of us
ever get our trousers as mud splattered as Peter’s,
unless of course we have the misfortune to walk
close behind him.
Peter’s Muddy
Trousers
At the car park, we
took a track to the main road, turned left and a
quarter of a mile later we were back in Nympsfield,
and were soon in the Coach and Horses, which we
left about 10 minutes later. Although the pub
was busy with three staff behind the bar, service
should not have been as slow as it was. It
was almost non-existent. I suppose the
problem was that priorities were not considered and
other matters were seen as being more important
than serving the customers. So we left and
made our way to the Hungry Horse at Seven
Springs. Although the pub’s beers do not
include Uley Bitter or any other really tasty
tipple, the Greene King IPA was very
acceptable. However, the service is good
and the food is excellent and very good value,
and, although we were informed that the kitchen
was very busy and a 45-minute wait was likely,
we were eating within half an hour. A
satisfactory end to a very pleasant day.
Peter and I estimated the total distance walked was
about 10 miles, and if you fancy doing it, the map
recommended is the Ordnance Survey Explorer Map
168, which covers the area of Stroud, Tetbury &
Malmesbury.