Cold Ashton, Doynton, Dyrham & West Littleton (Cotswold Gateway Marshfield Walk 4)

The walk starts from the War Memorial (1) and goes west along the High Street for about 500m and turns left into St Martin’s Lane (2). In 150m take the footpath on the right through the Bristol gate marked to Cold Ashton. Walk diagonally across the field to the kissing gate and then onto the stile into Green Lane where you turn left.

In 100m turn right over the stile into the valley, follow the stream down the valley crossing over to the opposite bank via the bridge to access the next kissing gate. The area through the copse MAY BE MUDDY. Keeping the stream on your left continue to the kissing gate and enter the Open Access Land. The area has lots of flora and fauna, including wildflowers and butterflies; you may also see buzzards and deer.

On reaching the ruins of the old mill (3) on your right take the footpath up the small valley to your right, you are rewarded with a nice view back over the valley. Continue through the kissing gate and on up the hill to the road. Turn left towards Cold Ashton.

On reaching the entrance to the church on your right (4) the route now follows the Cotswold Way through the church-yard. However, it is worth continuing another 100m along the road to see the impressive wooden gates to the Grade I listed Manor House (5) (Not open to the public) and opposite is a lovely view to the south.

Retrace your steps back to (4) and follow the Cotswold Way north, note the sundial on the church wall. The footpath after the church follows the wall on the left beside the driveway. On reaching the A420 road CROSS WITH CARE onto the opposite verge and turn left. In 50m the Cotswold Way turns right across two fields to Pennsylvania and the A46 at (6). THIS ROAD REQUIRES GREAT CARE when crossing into Bull Patch Lane to continue walking along the Cotswold Way. Drinks and snacks may be available at the garage.

In 50m opposite Woodbine Cottage, leave the Cotswold Way and take the footpath on the left. On reaching the hedge at the end of the field turn right with the fir trees on the left. Go through the ‘Bristol Gate’ to Gorse Lane. CROSS THE ROAD WITH CARE and through the opposite ‘Bristol’ gate into the field. Go straight across the field to the ridge, where you get a view of the River Severn with both its bridges. At the end of the field you will see a pedestrian gate in the wire fence and then a stile into the next field.

At the pedestrian gate walk down the escarpment to the bottom right hand corner of the field, through a kissing gate and then left through a second kissing gate keeping to the right hand side of the field.

Go through a ‘Bristol’ gate and then a kissing gate and cross the wooden bridge over the stream, staying to the right of the field. In 200m go through the kissing gate on the right and into the next small field crossing to the kissing gate in the right hand corner, then turn to your left and ignore the track on the left. Go through the gate and follow the right hand hedge and then on through the gap in the next hedge, walk towards the white cricket pavilion you can see between the trees.

On reaching the road turn left; in 30m ignore Watery Lane on the left and walk along the track. In 100m there are two gates on the right take the left-hand one, the ‘Bristol’ gate, not the one into the cricket field. Walk down the track and through two pedestrian gates. On reaching the road, turn right with the Cross House Pub on the left (7).

Continue past pub and church to the edge of the village. Just prior to the national speed limit signs opposite the last house join the foot path on your right. On the far side of the field go through the ‘Bristol’ gate and walk to the far left hand side of the field, through the kissing gate onto Woodmead Lane. Turn right and immediately left off the bend along the track and through the ‘Bristol’ gate.

Bearing left keeping the hedge on your right, across the next field through the kissing gate by the oak tree. Ahead lies a kissing gate, ditch crossing and another gate from here the footpath goes towards Lower Ledge Farm. Go through the kissing gate in the hedge and turn immediately left in front of the pond. On reaching the gravelled drive turn right to leave the car park on the left onto the road.

The route is across the road slightly to the right. Having gone through the kissing gate walk diagonally to the left hand corner of the field to where the footpath splits. Go through the hedge on the right over the ditch crossing with its two gates, you are now in an area with horse pastures. At the end of the wide track, go through the kissing gate and turn immediately left by the drystone wall and go through another kissing gate (8).

You are now on the Cotswold Way once more. Follow this path to the road, you can pause and enjoy a rest on the circular seat prior to a steep climb ahead. As you join the road at the edge of Dyrham village turn right up hill. Just prior to the crest of the hill take the footpath on the left, via steps and a gate into the wood, part of Dyrham Park owned by the National Trust.

On leaving the wood through a kissing gate into a meadow follow the deer fence on your left. Cross over the road that exits the car park and walk towards the drystone wall. Leave the park via the steps and gate in the wall.

You have once again reached the busy A46 road (9) CROSSING THE ROAD AT THIS POINT NEEDS GREAT CARE. The route ahead is across several fields; look for the way marker posts.

In the fourth field you will need to cross the ditch via the wooden bridge and through a pedestrian gate onto a track and over another stile on the other side of that track. Uphill to the stile in the right hand corner of the field; in a short distance you will pass through two gates on a track between horse paddocks.

The path to West Littleton church is to the right through the pedestrian gate in the hedge not the field gate. Follow the path through the copse with the horse ménage on the left and over the stone stile. The attractive small church is dedicated to St. James (10).

Continue through the churchyard to the village green where there are seats for those wishing to rest for a while. Turn right along the road to leave the village of West Littleton towards Marshfield. The road passes between drystone walls with fields on both sides. On reaching the belt of trees on your right, turn right on the bridle way and go through a gate at the top of the hill and another one in the valley.

Leave the bridle way as it bears right up hill and take the ladder stile on the left over the wall. Go over the stone stile where the path changes to the left-hand side of the wall. On reaching the road turn left along Middledown Road, follow this narrow lane down into the valley and climb up to the cross roads at Castle Farm. Continue straight on along George Lane straight back to Marshfield.

On reaching the A420 road cross over into George Lane to emerge onto the High Street beside the Almshouses. Turn left back to the War Memorial and the end of your walk.

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