Cotswold Way Circular Walks If you enjoyed this walk and would like to make a contribution to the charity that supports the Cotswold Way then please go to cotswoldwayassociation.org.uk/fundraising/
11. Old Sodbury - the Hill Fort and Church
Little Sodbury From the delightful village After taking advantage of the bench N at the top and the wonderful view of Old Sodbury, follow the 4 Cotswold Way up to the over the village and far beyond, 0 Miles 0.5 serenity of a medieval church, pass through the kissing gate into the calm of the churchyard. This around oak-fringed farmland walker-friendly medieval church Kms and along shaded paths to the 0 0.5 dates back to the 11th century and breath-taking outcrop of an still provides year round tranquillity iron-age hillfort. Views, history, and fascination for those with tired peace and rest all combine to feet. make this simple little stroll Portway Lane a wonderful taster of the Little Hill 2 Head through the churchyard Sodbury southern Cotswolds. Fort and pass through the lychgate to Wood take the path opposite, up to the Distance: left of the village school. Continue 2½ miles or 4 km up the path, through the kissing Duration: gate at the top and along a short 1½ - 2 hrs fenced-in path. Pass through another gate along the bottom of Difficulty: a grassy slope, and take the kissing 3 Easy, - no stiles and moderate gate to the right of the majestic slopes. sycamore tree. Cotswold Way Public transport: Stagecoach 620 from Bath, via Yate Stay on the Cotswold Way around to Old Sodbury (to The Dog and the edge of the next field, through 5 Cross Hands). Also, Coachstyle 41 the kissing gate at the end and take the shaded woodland path up to Yate to Malmesbury. the right. After the path bends to (Visit www.travelinesw.com). the left at the top, a kissing gate 2 Start/Finish: gives way to the open wonder and Grid reference ST 753/815 winter views of Sodbury Camp. (OS Explorer sheet 167) Chipping Postcode BS37 6LZ 3 Follow the path across the Campden double ramparts of this fascinating Refreshments: Bronze to Iron Age hill fort that has Cotswold Lane The Dog Inn, Old Sodbury (parking protected ancient tribes and Saxon available for customers only). Lane armies, and even sheltered Edward 1 Check opening hours. A432 IV before the decisive battle of the Old Little Sodbury Start Church Parking War of the Roses in 1471. Sodbury & Old Sodbury There is free parking along Chapel Bath Lane, please park considerately. Pass over the ramparts on the ChapelLane far side, and follow the path left 5/21 through a kissing gate. Head down the shaded path as it forks left and Pass through a field gate and follow welcoming Dog Inn - the perfect 1 The ideal place to begin the bends back on itself towards an the path along the hedge line, over end to the perfect little stroll. walk is just opposite the Dog Inn orchard at the bottom. Continue a little gated footbridge, across on the main road through the down through the orchard, and another field and over a second The path from Old Sodbury Church village. keeping a good ear out for traffic, footbridge. was a coffin trail when Little turn right along the road at the end. Sodbury did not have a church. Follow the Cotswold Way away 5 Continue across the bottom of from the road, between the houses 4 After 300 metres, leave the the last field pass the remnants of and through a farmyard. Pass road and the Cotswold Way behind medieval fish ponds, with the village through the gate on the far side of to take the kissing gate on your church welcoming you back from the farmyard and head diagonally left and follow the path diagonally the top of the hill on your left. across the field towards a metal across the field. At the far corner kissing gate. Turn right after the gate pass through a kissing gate, across Rejoin the Cotswold Way at the and head up towards the church a small road and through a second kissing gate you left two miles looking down from the hill above gate into the next field. (3.2 km) before, and retrace your you. steps back towards the warm and
Cotswold Way National Trail • Tel: 01451 862000 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.nationaltrail.co.uk