The Cotswold Way: Leg 11

Cam Peak to North Nibley: 6.83 miles

Sunday 28th July, 9am

Moving time:2:36:03

Elevation gain: 945 ft

Steps: 16,032

Our route today.

A select Cotswold Way crew and Norbert at Cam Peak car park, our starting point today.

This Sunday the weather was forecast to be a warm and sunny day and so we took the decision to start an hour earlier than normal and we met outside The Black Horse Inn in the charmingly named village of North Nibley, Gloucestershire. Jumping into one car we travelled around fifteen minutes to the car park at Cam Peak to start where we finished in June.

Retracing our steps to find the Cotswold Way path, we descend along a stony path and turn left to descend further down a relatively steep grassy slope, passing a dog walker. The open nature of the slope exposes us to the already building warmth of the sun! At the bottom of the slope we crossed over a lane and continued along another path.

Shortly after we turned right and went through a gate to continue along the side of a field, passing Chestal House with its impressive chimneys! Taking another right hand turn and we descend down a lane.

Passing some of the specimen trees nearby Chestal House.

The large Jacobean Country Chestal House, built in 1848 for James Phelps, Grade II listed. Limestone with a Welsh slate roof.

At the bottom of the lane we pass this impressive lodge house, gives us an insight into the grand nature of the Chestal estate.

We turned left into Long Street and pass another Grade II listed building - The Priory was formerly the headquarters of R.A. Lister who made agricultural implements amongst other things. We walk along to the centre of Dursley and cross the road opposite the market house.

Dursley is an ancient parish and market town in Gloucestershire, it sits at the base of the steep Stinchcombe Hill. The market house was built about the year 1738; and has, at its east end, a statue of Queen Anne. The church is later English, beautifully decorated; has a handsome modern Gothic tower at the west end; and includes a chantry-chapel erected, in the time of Henry VI. Towns like Dursley always have interesting buildings and some have grandiose roots! Always look up, you never know what you might see!

I love these famous paintings that have been painted onto the glass window and frames! We continue through Dursley town centre on Parsonage Street and turn left onto May Lane, passing a very modern Library.

These green metal objects are from the Lister manufacturing company and the high street is littered with various shaped objects to remember the heritage of engineering in the town. The library on May Lane was built in 2006 and replaced the original one built in 1936. We stop for a comfort break at the very clean public toilets in the corner of the May Lane car park before attempting the start of the climb up Stinchcombe Hill.

The very aptly named Hill Road is the real start of the incline up the road and then climbing further on a shady path through a beech woodland. Pauses to get our breath back were needed before we reached the golf club at the top.

We took the long route that goes around the fringes of Stinchcombe Golf Club as I remember the stunning views from a previous walk! The paths weave in and out of the woodland and a close eye on those acorns is needed!

Stunning views across to the Severn

This shelter was erected in memory of Sir Stanley Tubbs who gifted the land on Stinchcombe Hill to the public for ever.

Pausing to admire the views from the shelter, we could see both Severn crossing bridges and we think we can see the Sugar Loaf in Wales in the distance.

Still going around the golf club we come to a trig point and of course Norbert couldn’t resist some time in the spotlight! You can just about see the Tyndale monument in the distance. There’s also a nice clear topograph slightly further on.

We reach another memorial to Stanley Tubbs, this time it’s a lovely bench! This is Drakestone Point which has amazing views across the Severn Vale. Here the Cotswold Way takes a sharp left and heads slightly downhill.

A memorial bench to Dr Nicholas Reynolds.

Cinnabar moths were prolific along this part of Stinchcombe Hill. We reach a junction and allow a large group of ramblers to pass us before turning right into the trees and a path that descends steeply. I think this is the first purple Cotswold Way marker we have seen.

The path turns left and crosses a lovely wooden bridge, over the bridge there’s a lot of sheep bleating loudly which is followed by a man shouting and waving what looks like a tree branch at something, We could only see glimpses through the trees, but he wasn’t a happy man!

Shortly afterwards we go through a gate and emerge from the trees to a traditional English pastoral scene. The house in the distance is Stancombe Park, a 19th century country estate. I always take lots of photos and usually take a couple of different shots of the same scene to see what looks best.

The field is quite exposed and we can feel the warmth of the sun as we walk along the slightly uncomfortable camber of this footpath. The Tyndale monument looms in the distance.

We turn left down Park Lane and soon turn right through a much more lush green field heading descending downhill slowly.

Going through a gate we reach another lane and turn right, here there is a house where they have kindly put out a water tap for passing walkers. This is very much appreciated on this warm day! We follow the lane past some more houses and reach a junction with the B4060. Crossing the road we continue you uphill on a gravelly track.

Thankfully this track is in between trees and there is relief from the sunshine. We pass an old Dryads Saddle Fungi and a heart shaped tree stump which it looks like someone has drawn a face on! Stopping to wait by a gate where some pretty cattle were soaking up attention from another couple of walkers.

We reach the top of the track and come out onto a road passing an interesting (private) post box. The Tyndale Monument dominates the skyline above us here. At the end of this road we turn left and head down into North Nibley’s centre. There’s a garden here abundant with beautifully scented sweetpeas. I can’t resist a sniff! We soon reach The Black Horse Inn our destination for today, sweaty, hot and ready to go home!

Norbert and the gang at the finish.