Minchinhampton 1 - Miles without Stiles

A walk across the Common, skirting hillside villages and enjoying panoramic views towards the Severn and the Golden Valley.

Distance

5 miles / 8.05 km

Duration

2.5 hours

Difficulty

May be steep slopes, moderate fitness

Mobility aid rating

Stile free

Shape

Circular

Start

Address

1-2 Market Square, Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9BW, UK
View start on Google Maps

OS Grid Ref

SO872007

What3Words

recovery.diamonds.handfuls

Public toilets

Bell Lane, Minchinhampton.

Refreshments

Cafes and pub in Minchinhampton. The Old Lodge near 4. Amberley Shop and Cafe off trail between 4 and 5. Winstone’s Ice Cream Factory near point 7.

Travel Info

Car park situated at the back of the Market House, Minchinhampton, in Friday Street. SO 872007 Postcode GL6 9JL. Alternative parking is available at Minchinhampton Common car park to the rear of Minchinhampton church, off Bell Street. SO 872009 Postcode GL6 9BP

Navigation

Starting at the Market House, built in 1698 by Philip Sheppard, cross into Bell Lane 1 and follow the church wall on the right as it bends round to Minchinhampton Common.

Turn left and follow the private road alongside the Common. Keeping the wall and houses on the left, cross Dr Brown’s Road 2 and continue along the path with the Bulwarks on the right.

These Iron Age earthwork ramparts sweep in an arc across the Common, partially surrounding Minchinhampton. The path bends left and, as it passes the last large house with an impressive iron gate (Westfield), follow the path straight ahead to a roadside house (Windmill Lodge). 3

Continue roughly along the same line to The Old Lodge Inn and Minchinhampton Old Course Golf Club, now visible from this point, with a minor road leading to them. 4 The Old Lodge has been an Inn since the 18th century, and from 1899 housed the Golf Club within it. The present Clubhouse was built in 1984.

Pass to the right of the Inn and go left then right to follow a line of telegraph poles. At the fourth pole, before the edge of the common, turn right and follow the path crossing a road above the Amberley roadsign. Go ahead until you reach a seat, between two trees, overlooking the school and the Amberley Inn, and then turn half right and continue to the War Memorial. 5

Pass between the Memorial and ‘Springhill’ house and follow the road ahead and then as it bends right, heading downhill. Ignore all forks to private houses, and after the road bends left to a T junction, turn right. This winding road leads through Houndscroft to the Bear Hotel. 6

Turn right up to the main road and cross to the other side. Turn left, and shortly, just past roadside cottages, turn right down a public byway to Winstone’s Ice Cream Factory. 7 This award winning family business was established in 1925; it is a popular site for tourists, locals and a welcome refreshment stop for walkers.

Continue right along the attractive minor road to Burleigh ignoring all side turns as it winds around the hillside to meet Briscombe Hill where there are two seats. 8 Cross the road diagonally downhill into Burleigh Lane and continue ahead at the next road juntion to pass Burleigh House.9 Beyond the house bear right into Love Lane.

At the next fork in the road take the road to the right, Besbury Lane, leading back to the Common. 10 Cross the road and head half-left back to the Church, now visible from this point.

Retrace the route back along Bell Lane to the Market House.