Cotswold Way Circular Walks

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. (See the the right. After the path bends to ‘Explore the Cotswolds’ public the left at the top, a kissing gate transport guide) or visit www. 2 gives way to the open wonder and traveline.info winter views of Sodbury Camp. Start/Finish: Chipping Grid reference ST 753/815 3 Follow the path across the Campden (OS Explorer sheet 167) double ramparts of this fascinating Postcode BS37 6LZ Bronze to Iron Age hill fort that has Cotswold Lane protected ancient tribes and Saxon Refreshments: Lane armies, and even sheltered Edward 1 The Dog Inn, Old Sodbury (parking A432 IV before the decisive battle of the Old Little Sodbury available for customers only). Start Church War of the Roses in 1471. Sodbury & Old Sodbury Parking Bath There is free parking along Chapel Pass over the ramparts on the ChapelLane Lane, please park considerately. far side, and follow the path left 11/17 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