Circular walk to St Catherine’s Valley (Cotswold Gateway Marshfield Walk 3)

Walk from the War Memorial (1) west along the High Street passing many of the town’s Georgian houses. Towards the end of the High Street you will see on your right the 17th century Almshouses (2).

At the end of the village you reach the old Toll House. Here you turn left along Green Lane which after the cottages becomes a stony track. Continue down the short steep slope and at the bottom of the hill bear right. In 100m cross the stile on your right and down into the valley. Cross the small stream to the right hand bank via the bridge to enter the copse via the kissing gate (this may be muddy when wet).

On reaching the next kissing gate enter the Open Access Land (3) follow the path along the middle of the slope. The valley has lots of wild flowers at the appropriate time of year as well as a good selection of wildlife. From now on there are lots of lovely valley views.

After crossing a stile next to a field gate there are the remains of an old mill on your right. Follow the path to the left up the slope keeping the trees on your left. In approximately 500m take the path on the left down through a kissing gate to the stream.

Over the stone bridge and climb up the hill to the right, where you will pass through the kissing gate and turn left to join the Limestone Link (4). This long distance footpath joins the AONBs of the Cotswolds and Mendips. The route now follows the St. Catherine’s Valley towards the South East.

Continue following the Limestone Link turning left at the road and then immediately left over the stile beside the gate (the slope may be slippery when wet). Behind you is Monkswood Reservoir. Go across Beek’s Lane staying on the Limestone Link. The route has a number of kissing gates and a gated ditch crossing.

At (5) there is an option to cut the walk short and climb the hill on the footpath back to Marshfield. Choosing to continue on the Walk 3 route you will reach Ayford Lane, turn to the left along the lane and in approximately 200m on the left hand bend take the footpath to your right into the wood (may be muddy).

The path runs beside a small stream having crossed the stream leave the wood over the stile. Keep to the bottom of the field. In approximately 500m you will see two footpaths, ignore the path to
the right over the bridge and stay on the Limestone Link.

The route heads towards the middle of the slope, watching out for springs flowing from the hill, head to the ‘Bristol’ gate and the track.

In approximately 500m leave the Limestone Link (6) and take the
Permissive Path to the left through the hedge. Continue through the belt of trees into the next meadow, head towards a long hedge; on reaching the hedge turn left, then through a kissing gate across another field to the ‘Bristol’ gate and into the wood. Turn right on the track and onto Oakford Lane.

Turn left along the road and in 100m take the footpath through the green field gate on the left into the wood. In 50m, just before the field gate, the path turns right up the steps to the kissing gate. The path from here is very steep, take your time and at the top, above Cherry Wood (7), stop and enjoy the view across the valley towards Claverton Down.

From here the climb is more gradual up to Ashwicke Road. On reaching the road turn left in about 1km you will reach West Lodge (8).

Leave the road through the kissing gate straight ahead back towards Marshfield. There are now three more kissing gates, continue north across the field and to a Bristol gate (9). There are two footpaths,
indicated; take the one to the right diagonally across the meadow heading towards the left hand end of the wood.

On reaching the hedge turn left towards two stiles. Continue along the path keeping the wall/hedge on the right. After 100m the path turns left for 25m to join another path. Turn right to the kissing gate into the wood and follow the path down to your left. On emerging from the trees cross over the stream and past the sewage plant.

The road now climbs steadily into the village. It is only a short diversion to visit the parish church dedicated to St Mary the Virgin (10). Continue through the Market Place to the War Memorial where you started.

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