Marshfield town & country - Miles without Stiles

Enjoy wonderful views of the southern Cotswolds. Walk along old green lanes (some may be muddy) and across high pasture back to the church on a hill.

Distance

4.25 miles / 6.84 km

Duration

2.5 hours

Difficulty

Unsurfaced paths, basic fitness

Mobility aid rating

Stile free

Shape

Circular

Start

Address

6 High St, Marshfield, Chippenham SN14 8LP, UK
View start on Google Maps

OS Grid Ref

ST781737

What3Words

harmonica.salon.fallen

Refreshments

Various cafes and pubs in Marshfield.

Travel Info

Marshfield (near Bath) limited parking in the Market Place behind the war memorial.

Navigation

From the war memorial walk along the High Street out of town for 700m, passing the almshouses.

Just before an old toll house ahead 1 turn left down Green Lane which soon becomes a stony track with a short steep descent into a small valley. At the bottom bear right and climb gently between hedges for 800m to Beek’s Lane 2.

Turn left along the road for 70m, then right 3 onto another green lane, with occasional views to Cold Ashton, St Catherine valley and Charmy Down. Where the track bears left don’t go through a double gate on your right. As you drop down out of the high hedges pause by a gate on the right for an even better view.

Press on across a tarmac farm track (cattle grid on the right) to a T junction (Ayford Lane) 4. This is your halfway point.

Turn right downhill and in 120m leave the road, bearing left on another track between hedges. Along here you may spot Marshfield Church tower on the horizon to your left. After 700m you’ll reach a wide gate onto a road 5.

The route home goes left here, but it’s worth turning right for 100m to 6 to enjoy a wonderful view to Claverton Down (University of Bath), Limpley Stoke valley and the distant Mendips.

Turn back along the road for 400m to West Lodge 7 a gatehouse to Ashwicke Hall. The road turns left but you go straight ahead through a kissing gate onto grass. From here it’s straight ahead to Marshfield across open fields (there may be cattle) through a variety of gates.

Approaching the crest of the hill keep to the right of a ragged hedge and your destination comes into sight. The path looks like a straightforward down-and-up, but there’s a hidden switchback ahead. Grit your teeth and head on upwards to the church. Approaching modern houses go through the farm yard 8 and turn left uphill on a narrow road.

At the top 9 take a small zigzag to the back gate of the churchyard, then go past the church and out of the main gate to the Market Place.