Our guide on local walks
Favourite walks
There are some stunning walks around Uley. Take your pick!
If you can only do one walk while you're here, go up to Uley Bury. The views, in all directions (since you're walking all the way round a hill top fort) are stupendous. You can find the footpath above from behind the Church just up the road; or you can drive up Crawley Hill and park up at the top, but spaces can be limited.
Glorious is a word that is often over-used, but this walk is genuinely glorious. Taking in almost the entire Uley Bury, with its stupendous views in every direction, it also dips you steeply down, and steeply up onto Downham Hill; with equally stupendous views, and a very interesting history.
Once you're up there, you have one simple decision to make. Clockwise, or anti-clockwise. Each has its merits, so it’s down to you. We like to walk anti-clockwise, then divert off to Downham Hill and return to complete the circuit. So, if you want to follow our route, head anti-clockwise until you see a footpath heading downhill - actually really steeply downhill. Follow your nose downhill, until you come out by the kennels at Hydegate Pet Resort. Say hello to the old, retired, horses in the field, then take the road signposted to Cam, and then after 200yds take the path on the left, uphill to the top of the Downham Hill (having first inspected the notices about how it was used as a smallpox isolation hospital).
At the top of Downham, enjoy more glorious views in all directions, then head back down in the direction you came up from, but head steeply down through the bracken. Follow your route back, but as you start to climb back up Uley Bury, rather than taking the path you came steeply down, take the green lane to the right instead. Follow this up the hill through the woods, and one long zigzag takes you up through the steep grassy slopes to the top of the Fort, just a bit further along from where you descended off it.
Continue walking anti-clockwise around the Bury back to where you started.
Uleybury Hillfort
Crawley HillIf you can only do one walk while you're here, go up to Uley Bury. The views, in all directions (since you're walking all the way round a hill top fort) are stupendous. You can find the footpath above from behind the Church just up the road; or you can drive up Crawley Hill and park up at the top, but spaces can be limited.
Glorious is a word that is often over-used, but this walk is genuinely glorious. Taking in almost the entire Uley Bury, with its stupendous views in every direction, it also dips you steeply down, and steeply up onto Downham Hill; with equally stupendous views, and a very interesting history.
Once you're up there, you have one simple decision to make. Clockwise, or anti-clockwise. Each has its merits, so it’s down to you. We like to walk anti-clockwise, then divert off to Downham Hill and return to complete the circuit. So, if you want to follow our route, head anti-clockwise until you see a footpath heading downhill - actually really steeply downhill. Follow your nose downhill, until you come out by the kennels at Hydegate Pet Resort. Say hello to the old, retired, horses in the field, then take the road signposted to Cam, and then after 200yds take the path on the left, uphill to the top of the Downham Hill (having first inspected the notices about how it was used as a smallpox isolation hospital).
At the top of Downham, enjoy more glorious views in all directions, then head back down in the direction you came up from, but head steeply down through the bracken. Follow your route back, but as you start to climb back up Uley Bury, rather than taking the path you came steeply down, take the green lane to the right instead. Follow this up the hill through the woods, and one long zigzag takes you up through the steep grassy slopes to the top of the Fort, just a bit further along from where you descended off it.
Continue walking anti-clockwise around the Bury back to where you started.
Less breathtaking than the Uley Bury walk, but easier to do if steep ups and downs may be too challenging, is the very pastoral, and really rather idyllic, walk from Uley to Owlpen. Start at the Millenium Green and continue heading eastwards towards Mill Farm House (with a classically beautiful frontage) in the far east of the village. Then follow the fields, and the delightful little footbridge, then joining the small road that dips you down to Owlpen. The Manor House isn't open to the public, but it's definitely worth looking at their website, especially the drone video which shows the Mill in the closing sequence.
It’s quite easy to miss the footpath to the Mill - as you walk along the small road, keep an eye out for a a small metal gate that you step through onto the footpath. Your then walk along a babbling brook, either through snowdrops, daffodils or wild garlic, depending on the season, and the very wonderful mill is ahead of you. The footpath takes you through the front garden, then up to the large ponds at the rear of the mill, a wonderful place to stop for a while. Paths continue up into the hills, or you can head back to Uley village.
Owlpen
Less breathtaking than the Uley Bury walk, but easier to do if steep ups and downs may be too challenging, is the very pastoral, and really rather idyllic, walk from Uley to Owlpen. Start at the Millenium Green and continue heading eastwards towards Mill Farm House (with a classically beautiful frontage) in the far east of the village. Then follow the fields, and the delightful little footbridge, then joining the small road that dips you down to Owlpen. The Manor House isn't open to the public, but it's definitely worth looking at their website, especially the drone video which shows the Mill in the closing sequence.
It’s quite easy to miss the footpath to the Mill - as you walk along the small road, keep an eye out for a a small metal gate that you step through onto the footpath. Your then walk along a babbling brook, either through snowdrops, daffodils or wild garlic, depending on the season, and the very wonderful mill is ahead of you. The footpath takes you through the front garden, then up to the large ponds at the rear of the mill, a wonderful place to stop for a while. Paths continue up into the hills, or you can head back to Uley village.
Parked at the top of Crawley Hill, and with your back to the road, take the footpath to the left that goes steeply downwards. At the bottom, walk through Hodgecombe Farm onto the B road, walk straight ahead, and you will see the footpath going up Cam Long Down straight ahead of you. Go steeply up the footpath, forgetting the hard work of the uphill walk, and thinking instead about the wonderful views you will have at the top. They are as fabulous as those from the top of Uley Bury, possibly better, especially in the narrowing middle section where the hill falls steeply away from you on both sides. Walk all the way along until you start to descend, then up the smaller, but equally worthwhile, Cam Peak. In Scottish terms, it's like bagging two Munroes in one. Cam Peak can get very busy at weekends and in the summer, as it's an eminently climb-able hill for families. To get back, just turn around, and enjoy the walk in reverse, it seems surprisingly different seeing the views the other way round! A nice extension is to go along Cam Canyon, as we call it – when you get back onto the B road, turn left onto the road, and then take the first footpath on your left (heading on the map towards Ashmead Farm and Far Green). It's a wonderfully steep sided chasm. Walk back up the way you came once you get close to the bottom.
Cam Long Down
Cotswold WayParked at the top of Crawley Hill, and with your back to the road, take the footpath to the left that goes steeply downwards. At the bottom, walk through Hodgecombe Farm onto the B road, walk straight ahead, and you will see the footpath going up Cam Long Down straight ahead of you. Go steeply up the footpath, forgetting the hard work of the uphill walk, and thinking instead about the wonderful views you will have at the top. They are as fabulous as those from the top of Uley Bury, possibly better, especially in the narrowing middle section where the hill falls steeply away from you on both sides. Walk all the way along until you start to descend, then up the smaller, but equally worthwhile, Cam Peak. In Scottish terms, it's like bagging two Munroes in one. Cam Peak can get very busy at weekends and in the summer, as it's an eminently climb-able hill for families. To get back, just turn around, and enjoy the walk in reverse, it seems surprisingly different seeing the views the other way round! A nice extension is to go along Cam Canyon, as we call it – when you get back onto the B road, turn left onto the road, and then take the first footpath on your left (heading on the map towards Ashmead Farm and Far Green). It's a wonderfully steep sided chasm. Walk back up the way you came once you get close to the bottom.
If you have longer, and are reasonably fit, this is a delightful walk that shows off the hidden valleys of Ozleworth. The route is shown below, and note that full details are not given, so remember to take a map with you, and take a picture of these details so you have them with you.
There are several places to park on the road down to Ozleworth, but we like to park at the fork marked Newark Park - spaces are limited but generally you'll be fine. Follow the road along to Newark Park, and then across the expansive lawns to the house. A sign points you to the Estate Walks; follow the Purple one, taking you steeply down the side of the valley, and then seemingly looping you back uphill to the house - but instead, turn off the Purple path and head downhill to the road (hop over the gate). Turn left along the road, and keep going - the road is very quiet, and you're unlikely to see a car but, as ever, take care.
At the small T-junction, work out how you get through the very impressive gate ahead of you (clue: look high), and then follow the track upwards, and then steeply up to the left. At the top of the track you come to Ozleworth House - follow the clearly marked paths around to The Church - the rather mystical St. Nicholas of Myra, with its octagonal tower, and octagonal churchyard.
Leave the church, heading away from where you've just come, down the hill, with lovely views down the valley. Follow your nose downhill, and you eventually find yourself in an enchanted, spring-sapped, dell. Continue through, and up out into a field that leads you back onto a small road. Turn right and this takes you back to the very impressive gate (answer=you have to press the button, set deliberately high for horse-back riders). Rather than going through the gate, continue along the road ahead, and wend your way steeply back up to where you parked.
Ozleworth Park
If you have longer, and are reasonably fit, this is a delightful walk that shows off the hidden valleys of Ozleworth. The route is shown below, and note that full details are not given, so remember to take a map with you, and take a picture of these details so you have them with you.
There are several places to park on the road down to Ozleworth, but we like to park at the fork marked Newark Park - spaces are limited but generally you'll be fine. Follow the road along to Newark Park, and then across the expansive lawns to the house. A sign points you to the Estate Walks; follow the Purple one, taking you steeply down the side of the valley, and then seemingly looping you back uphill to the house - but instead, turn off the Purple path and head downhill to the road (hop over the gate). Turn left along the road, and keep going - the road is very quiet, and you're unlikely to see a car but, as ever, take care.
At the small T-junction, work out how you get through the very impressive gate ahead of you (clue: look high), and then follow the track upwards, and then steeply up to the left. At the top of the track you come to Ozleworth House - follow the clearly marked paths around to The Church - the rather mystical St. Nicholas of Myra, with its octagonal tower, and octagonal churchyard.
Leave the church, heading away from where you've just come, down the hill, with lovely views down the valley. Follow your nose downhill, and you eventually find yourself in an enchanted, spring-sapped, dell. Continue through, and up out into a field that leads you back onto a small road. Turn right and this takes you back to the very impressive gate (answer=you have to press the button, set deliberately high for horse-back riders). Rather than going through the gate, continue along the road ahead, and wend your way steeply back up to where you parked.
A bit further afield, but only a 10-minute drive, is possibly our favourite-favourite walk. Drive up Lampern Hill and head towards the A46 for Bath. Just before arriving at the A46, turn right down an unmarked road and park just beyond the cattle-grid. Walk back slightly and take the path for Lasborough through the green fields with lovely views of the lost valley of Ozleworth to your right. Eventually you'll come to a small road, turn right and head down to the little hamlet of Lasborough, lost in time, with its 11th century manor farm and church.
Head along the private road towards Lasborough Park, but then head up the footpath to the right, up to the top of the hill looking out over Newington Bagpath. At the top, zigzag to the left to take you back towards Lasborough Park. The views now back to the manor and church are superb, with the fields ahead dotted with sheep, and the 1790s-built Park mansion appearing ahead. Stick to the path and head below the mansion to the lake and waterfall.
You could continue down into Ozleworth Bottom (eventually joining up with the Newark Park and Ozleworth Park walk mentioned elsewhere, at the enchanted, spring-sapped, dell) - we tend to head back up where we came from. But don't then cut back down into Lasborough - instead, stay on the top, with fine view of Newington Bagpath. And then enjoy walking over the old motte, the last remnant of a motte and bailey castle; an extensive badger sett; and a very fine, but very dilapidated, church. Turn right onto the small road, and follow it through the lovely hamlet of Newington Bagpath and back up the hairpin bend to where you parked.
Lasborough
A bit further afield, but only a 10-minute drive, is possibly our favourite-favourite walk. Drive up Lampern Hill and head towards the A46 for Bath. Just before arriving at the A46, turn right down an unmarked road and park just beyond the cattle-grid. Walk back slightly and take the path for Lasborough through the green fields with lovely views of the lost valley of Ozleworth to your right. Eventually you'll come to a small road, turn right and head down to the little hamlet of Lasborough, lost in time, with its 11th century manor farm and church.
Head along the private road towards Lasborough Park, but then head up the footpath to the right, up to the top of the hill looking out over Newington Bagpath. At the top, zigzag to the left to take you back towards Lasborough Park. The views now back to the manor and church are superb, with the fields ahead dotted with sheep, and the 1790s-built Park mansion appearing ahead. Stick to the path and head below the mansion to the lake and waterfall.
You could continue down into Ozleworth Bottom (eventually joining up with the Newark Park and Ozleworth Park walk mentioned elsewhere, at the enchanted, spring-sapped, dell) - we tend to head back up where we came from. But don't then cut back down into Lasborough - instead, stay on the top, with fine view of Newington Bagpath. And then enjoy walking over the old motte, the last remnant of a motte and bailey castle; an extensive badger sett; and a very fine, but very dilapidated, church. Turn right onto the small road, and follow it through the lovely hamlet of Newington Bagpath and back up the hairpin bend to where you parked.
Just over 15mins drive from Uley, and just off the A46 heading south to Bath, is the wonderful village of Tresham. Perched on a flat top between 2 steep valleys leading down towards Wotton-under-Edge, parking should not be a problem, and you can literally get out of your car and then tumble down the most gloriously steep and incised valley. Wonderfully pastoral, and really quite extreme landscape, albeit on a small scale, it's like being in a mini version of the Yorkshire Dales. Keep following your nose heading down the valley towards Kilcot. The first time we walked this, it was clear blue sky, and just breathtaking. If you’re very lucky, when you reach the B road at the bottom, if you look in the field on your left, you’ll see some Highland cattle, most discombobulating to see them in the serene Cotswolds. A nice extension would be to walk along the Cotswold Way to the beautiful village of Alderley.
Tresham
Just over 15mins drive from Uley, and just off the A46 heading south to Bath, is the wonderful village of Tresham. Perched on a flat top between 2 steep valleys leading down towards Wotton-under-Edge, parking should not be a problem, and you can literally get out of your car and then tumble down the most gloriously steep and incised valley. Wonderfully pastoral, and really quite extreme landscape, albeit on a small scale, it's like being in a mini version of the Yorkshire Dales. Keep following your nose heading down the valley towards Kilcot. The first time we walked this, it was clear blue sky, and just breathtaking. If you’re very lucky, when you reach the B road at the bottom, if you look in the field on your left, you’ll see some Highland cattle, most discombobulating to see them in the serene Cotswolds. A nice extension would be to walk along the Cotswold Way to the beautiful village of Alderley.
(This is the same as the Tresham walk.)
Just over 15mins drive from Uley, and just off the A46 heading south to Bath, is the wonderful village of Tresham. Perched on a flat top between 2 steep valleys leading down towards Wotton-under-Edge, parking should not be a problem, and you can literally get out of your car and then tumble down the most gloriously steep and incised valley. Wonderfully pastoral, and really quite extreme landscape, albeit on a small scale, it's like being in a mini version of the Yorkshire Dales. Keep following your nose heading down the valley towards Kilcot. The first time we walked this, it was clear blue sky, and just breathtaking. If you’re very lucky, when you reach the B road at the bottom, if you look in the field on your left, you’ll see some Highland cattle, most discombobulating to see them in the serene Cotswolds. A nice extension would be to walk along the Cotswold Way to the beautiful village of Alderley.
Alderley
(This is the same as the Tresham walk.)
Just over 15mins drive from Uley, and just off the A46 heading south to Bath, is the wonderful village of Tresham. Perched on a flat top between 2 steep valleys leading down towards Wotton-under-Edge, parking should not be a problem, and you can literally get out of your car and then tumble down the most gloriously steep and incised valley. Wonderfully pastoral, and really quite extreme landscape, albeit on a small scale, it's like being in a mini version of the Yorkshire Dales. Keep following your nose heading down the valley towards Kilcot. The first time we walked this, it was clear blue sky, and just breathtaking. If you’re very lucky, when you reach the B road at the bottom, if you look in the field on your left, you’ll see some Highland cattle, most discombobulating to see them in the serene Cotswolds. A nice extension would be to walk along the Cotswold Way to the beautiful village of Alderley.
This is a gorgeous village at the head of a gorgeous valley heading north out of Stroud. Made especially famous by the author Laurie Lee (of Cider with Rosie fame), there is a wonderful circular walk, the Laurie Lee Wildlife Walk, that is centred around Slad. Approx 10 miles in total, you can get onto it very simply from the middle of the village. There are a lot of serious ups, and a lot of serious downs, but in typical Cotswold fashion, never for more than 10mins max at a time. The view from the top of Swifts Hill, at the SE corner of the walk, is glorious, and well worth doing just for itself. Coupled with the wonderful wonderful Woolpack (see our other Guidebook), this makes a great walk - 15-20mins distant from the Cottage.
14 persone del luogo consigliano
Slad
This is a gorgeous village at the head of a gorgeous valley heading north out of Stroud. Made especially famous by the author Laurie Lee (of Cider with Rosie fame), there is a wonderful circular walk, the Laurie Lee Wildlife Walk, that is centred around Slad. Approx 10 miles in total, you can get onto it very simply from the middle of the village. There are a lot of serious ups, and a lot of serious downs, but in typical Cotswold fashion, never for more than 10mins max at a time. The view from the top of Swifts Hill, at the SE corner of the walk, is glorious, and well worth doing just for itself. Coupled with the wonderful wonderful Woolpack (see our other Guidebook), this makes a great walk - 15-20mins distant from the Cottage.