Old Sodbury - the Hill Fort & Church - Cotswold Way Circular Walk

1 The ideal place to begin the walk is just opposite the Dog Inn on the main road through the village.

Follow the Cotswold Way away from the road, between the houses and through a farmyard. Pass through the gate on the far side of the farmyard and head diagonally across the field towards a metal gate. Turn right after the gate and head up towards the church situated on the hill above you.

After taking advantage of the bench at the top and the wonderful view over the village and far beyond, pass through the gate into the calm of the churchyard. This walker-friendly medieval church dates back to the 11th century and still provides year round tranquillity and fascination for those with tired feet.

2 Head through the churchyard and pass through the lychgate to take the path opposite, up to the left of the village school. Continue up the path, through the gate at the top and along a short fenced-in path. Pass through another gate along the bottom of a grassy slope, and take the gate to the right of the majestic sycamore tree.

Stay on the Cotswold Way around the edge of the next field, through the gate at the end and take the shaded woodland path up to the right. After the path bends to the left at the top, a gate gives way to the open wonder and winter views of Sodbury Camp.

3 Follow the path across the double ramparts of this fascinating Bronze to Iron Age hill fort that has protected ancient tribes and Saxon armies, and even sheltered Edward IV before the decisive battle of the War of the Roses in 1471.

Pass over the ramparts on the far side, and follow the path left through a gate. Head down the shaded path as it forks left and bends back on itself towards an orchard at the bottom. Continue down through the orchard, and keeping a good ear out for traffic, turn right along the road at the end.

4 After 300 metres, leave the road and the Cotswold Way behind to take the gate on your left and follow the path diagonally across the field. At the far corner pass through a gate, across a small road and through a second gate into the next field.

Pass through a field gate and follow the path along the hedge line, over a little gated footbridge, across another field and over a second footbridge.

5 Continue across the bottom of the last field pass the remnants of medieval fish ponds, with the village church welcoming you back from the top of the hill on your left.

Rejoin the Cotswold Way at the kissing gate you left two miles (3.2 km) before, and retrace your steps back towards the warm and welcoming Dog Inn – the perfect end to the perfect little stroll.

The path from Old Sodbury Church was a coffin trail when Little Sodbury did not have a church.

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