Cloud Wood Loop (Cotswold Gateway Marshfield Walk 1)

Walk from the War Memorial (1) at the eastern end of the High Street into the Market Place, small but with some lovely buildings, and in 50m turn left towards the Parish Church dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. If you wish you can spend time here now or at the end of the walk.

Continue through the churchyard taking the path to the right leaving the
churchyard beside Kissing Gate Cottage towards Little End. The narrow road is flanked by attractive cottages; on reaching the bungalows take the
bridleway straight ahead. After 250m the bridleway bears off left but stay on the track straight ahead. In 50 metres the track splits into two: take the right-hand track down hill between the trees.

After a short while the track enters the valley and then climbs between the large trees to the ‘Bristol Gate’ (2). It then follows the left-hand side of the field adjacent to the wood.

(3) In a further 400m the footpath enters Cloud Wood. Descend the track.
(TAKE CARE – the route through the wood may be rough and boggy in places.) On reaching the ridge you will see a gated bridge below and to the left. Cross the bridge and turn right, then over the ditch crossing bearing right to the kissing gate at the edge of the wood.

Bear left and follow the bank of the stream (the Donombe Brook) and you
will see a small bridge over the brook (4).

Do not cross the Doncombe Brook but turn left up the steep slope keeping the hedge on your right.

As you reach the top of the slope stop and get your breath back and enjoy the view. The footpath crosses a stone stile back into the Cloud Wood; there is a ‘hunting’ gate to the left. On a warm day the trees will provide some welcome shade.

At the point where a footpath joins from the right (5) go straight on between the stone wall and the wire mesh fence. Having passed an old stone stile the fence ends then continue past a second old stone stile. At the end of the wood the footpath reaches a track, turn right back towards Marshfield.

At Point (6) you will re-join the track from your outward journey. From here there are two options:

Option A: Stay on the track back to the village towards the church, enter Little End between the row of cottages staying on the road passing the farm on your left into the Market Place and onto the finish at the War Memorial.

Option B: In 50m turn right on the bridleway and then in 75m turn left onto the bridleway towards the school and the eastern end of the village. Keep the trees on your immediate left ignoring the bridle way that goes right-handed across the field.

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