Sunday 18th August 2019 Dowdeswell

An easy walk from the lay-bye on the A40. A heavy shower as we set off but it didn't last for long. Around the edge of Sandywell Park, through the showground of the same name where the Andoversford point to point meetings take place. Into Andoversford for a coffee stop then out towards the Shipton Golf course. On to the Gloucestershire Way through Foxcote and up the hill for lunch. Returning over  the A436 towards Castle Barn Farm where our mere presence spooked a herd of cows to stampede from an adjacent field and past us. Just a really good job no one was in the way. Back through Lower Dowdeswell. A few 'dodgy' stiles on route.

7.5 miles and 750 feet ascent.

The first of many stiles

Passing one of the fences on the Andoversford point to point course.

Past one of the grand entrances to Sandywell Park a Jacobean Georgian manor house built in 1704....

...we had previously passed these gates - note the Urns on top of the pillars have been removed.

Crossing the point to point course

Coffee stop by the stream in Andoversford

On the Gloucestershire Way

Up the steeper bit for the lunch stop - and what a fine view we had.

The cattle stampede past us

 Castle Barn Farm

Looking across the valley to Lower Dowdeswell

St Michael's Church, Lower Dowdeswell

Sunday 11th August 2019 Winchcombe Recce

Whilst I have walked this before I decided to do a recce for the walk I'm leading in a couple of weeks.

From Winchcombe following the Winchcombe Way to Belas Knap, Wontley Farm, Cleeve Hill and Nottingham Hill almost to the railway station at Gotherington. Local footpaths to Far Stanley and then returning to Winchcombe over Langley Hill on the Gloucestershire Way.

Just over 11 miles and 1600 feet ascent.







Rain as I went up the hill leaving Winchcombe behind.

Belas Knap

Wontley Farm

Cleeve Hill.........the masts

.....Cleeve Hill.........the lonely tree

....Cleeve Hill.........golfers........

......Cleeve Hill.........the Topograph

Over Nottingham Hill and you can just make out the Malvern Hills.  The sun came out too.

The old barn

Looking back to Dixton Hill

Langley Hill Farm

Thursday 20th June 2019 Winchcombe

The last of the evening walks. Starting at Winchcombe and out around the Castle. On to St Kenelms Well and then up to the Salt Way. Returning from near Monk's Hole down the hill and through the very inquisitive cattle. Back to Winchcombe on Puck Pit Lane.

5.5 miles and 900 feet ascent.












Looking over Winchcombe with Langley Hill in the distance

St Kenelms Well

The Castle






















Looking down the Sudeley valley

A spectacular view across to the Malvern  Hills

Sunday 16th June 2019 Andoverford

Bright sunshine to start with as we left Andoversford. Then lot of showers towards the end. Firstly to Shipton and on to the Gloucestershire Way to Hampen. North through Soundborough just skirting Brockhampton, then into Sevenhampton returning through Syreford.


About 7.5 miles and 700 feet ascent.

Sunchine at first

A fine example of how countryside paths should be kept!

Coffe stop in an old barn

Hampen

The rain comes in and a deer comes into view

Soundborough with a very large barn attached to the farmhouse

Sevenhampton below

Abundance of wild flowers just before Andoversford