A Circular Walk to Dursley

This is a 3.7 mile walk, mostly on footpaths and tracks. There are some stiles to negotiate and the going may get a bit ‘squelchy’ in very wet weather. Many short cuts (or ‘long cuts’!) are possible on the many footpaths criss-crossing the area. There are shops, cafes and eateries in Dursley to break the walk up.

1) From Downhouse Farm take the footpath directly opposite the gate, across the two fields coming out on the corner of Farfield. Go straight on, along Drake Lane, for about 400 yards then go left onto the footpath.

2) The footpath turns sharp right, and will take you past Chestal Farm, to a kissing gate, into a wood, down some steps to emerge by the bowling green. Go straight ahead and up Long Street to The Marketplace.

The Market House was built in 1738 as a place for trading between local farmers and traders. The building carries a memorial to Queen Anne, who provided funds for the rebuilding of the church tower which collapsed in 1699. You can find more details at www.dursleytowntrust.org.uk. From here you can explore Dursley and get refreshment if needed.

3) From the Marketplace enter the Churchyard and walk round the right side of the building. Go down some steps into The Broadwell. With the stream on your left, go down the lane (Water Street). At the bottom turn right, then left onto Brownings Lane. Continue through the houses. The path takes you past Kinver Grange, then follow the path left along the side of the stream (The Ewelme). The path passes more houses on the right(Ewelme Close) and then reaches the main Uley Road. Turn left along the pavement and after about 400 yards turn left onto the footpath just before Mill Farm.

4) Follow the path past Mill Farm House on your right, across two fields separated by a small wooded copse, then over a stile at Wresden Farm. Cross another two small fields and over a stile coming out onto a lane.

5) Turn sharp left along the lane, and at the derelict farm buildings go over the stile and cross the field diagonally to Cold Harbour Farm. On your right is Downham Hill, known locally as ‘Smallpox Hill’ in reference to its use as an isolation ‘hospital’ when smallpox was present in the 18th and 19th century. (You can climb the hill, with the access along Farfield, near Hydegate Kennels). Follow the path between the farm buildings, then through a gate onto the farm drive. The path goes along the side of the farm drive and comes out onto Farfield at Newlands Farm.

6) Cross the lane and follow the path up the hill, and through the kissing gate onto Cam Peak. If you want a shortcut, turn left for home, otherwise continue straight ahead through the bluebells in May or bracken later in the year, up onto ‘The Saddle’ of Cam Peak. From here you can admire the views of The Severn Vale and River with The Forest of Dean beyond. On a clear day you will see the ‘volcano looking’ peak of The Sugar Loaf near Abergavenny. Go straight over and down to the car park.

7) Cross the lane into ‘Halls Wood’ and follow the path through the wood. Just before the kissing gate into the field, take the path left along the edge of the wood. Go through the kissing gate into the field and you’ll soon see Downhouse on your left.