Day 6 - Sunday 19 June 2022
Painswick to Selsley (11.1 miles)
Father's Day today and it was nice to receive a card from Fudge who would once again be able to accompany me all day. The weather was once again overcast but this time with sunny spells and a tad more breezy. Today's walk over to Selsley on the outskirts of Stroud would have the added bonus of meeting up with family and enjoying a nice meal this evening not too far from our accommodation. All in all it should be a good days walking.
It was Father's Day today and the little chap had made the effort to buy me a card
The War Memorial in Painswick
St Mary's Church in Painswick
The oldest part of the church that remains is St Peter’s Chapel which was built in 1377. In the grounds of the churchyard there are the famous 99 Yew Trees which were planted in the 18th Century. There is a legend surrounding the 99 Painswick Yew Trees in that the Devil would never allow the 100th tree to grow. Despite the legend, the churchyard does have over 100 trees. They ended up braving the storm and planting the 100th tree to mark the Millennium. However, seven years later in 2007 one of the yew trees toppled over – many put this down to the Devil and the reputed curse.
The oldest part of the church that remains is St Peter’s Chapel which was built in 1377. In the grounds of the churchyard there are the famous 99 Yew Trees which were planted in the 18th Century. There is a legend surrounding the 99 Painswick Yew Trees in that the Devil would never allow the 100th tree to grow. Despite the legend, the churchyard does have over 100 trees. They ended up braving the storm and planting the 100th tree to mark the Millennium. However, seven years later in 2007 one of the yew trees toppled over – many put this down to the Devil and the reputed curse.
The trees were planted to form avenues from the Lychgate (where coffins were rested on the way to Church for funerals) depicting the hope of resurrection. In Painswick churchyard the avenues of trees probably followed the paths of ancient thoroughfares.
To maintain their perfect appearance the trees are clipped by a specialist contractor in September each year. The close foliage holds large amount of water and snow making them vulnerable to toppling over especially where the roots are shallow. Once clipped, the trees produce over 2 tons of material. It turns out that fresh yew tree clippings are a good source of the basic raw material for the anti-cancer drug paclitaxol.
Fudge and I wandering through an arch of Yew
Another view of the Yew Trees in front of a poignant reminder
The Lych Gate at the entrance to the churchyard. Whilst it may look Elizabethan, it was actually built in 1901.
At the southern end of the village the route turns right off the A46 along Edge Road
Nice one Sid
Approximately 250 yards along Edge Road the route turns off to the left to cross mostly farmland in the direction of Edge
Stone mileage markers near Jenkin's Farm. At this point I had done about 57 miles - walking off route into Cheltenham the other day was where most of the difference was.
Jenkin's Lane and try as I might I could not find the rest of the vehicle to which this belonged.
From Jenkin's Lane I popped out on to the A4173 at the village of Edge
The Edgemoor Inn - virtually opposite here is my turn off to head towards Rudge Hill
From the A4173 the path enters Maitland Wood - Fudge has clearly found something interesting to sniff at.
From Maitland Wood the route then enters Stockend Wood
Entering Cliff Wood I passed Cliff Well. The well stands beside the Cotswold Way path and the building still contains a winch although the well is capped.
Just along from Cliff Well is a three part stone monument. This is Cromwell's Stone, commemorating the relief of the Royalist siege of Gloucester by Parliamentary forces in September 1643. The original inscription has worn away but records show 'Siege of Gloucester, raised 5th September 1645'. There is an immediate contradiction in the date here and passers by may wonder 'why here on this quiet path miles from the city'. It started on 10th August 1643 and ended when Royalist forces lifted the siege, driven off in spite of their overwhelming numbers when Parliamentarian reinforcements were on their way from London.
Ring Hill Farm - the doll in the window frame was a bit weird
After Ring Hill Farm I made my way up a gentle rise on to Haresfield Beacon
The Trig Point up on the summit of Haresfield Beacon - the area in and around the summit is an Iron Age Hill Fort
A short distance from the Trig Point is a large toposcope with the Severn Estuary in the distance
Angie had driven from Painswick and met us for lunch at the beacon Car Park
From the beacon was a delightful amble through Standish Wood
Meanwhile Angie had found her Utopia (also known as the chocolate aisle in Stroud Sainsburys)
Nearing the outskirts of Stroud, Fudge decided now was a good time to do some arsing about
Stroud below as we head over the fields to Westrip
Just below Doverow Hill the route passes through a vineyard
Crossing the railway bridge just before the outskirts of Stroud
The route now joins a road and heads in the direction of Stonehouse for about 300 yards. The bridge I am just about to pass under belongs to Wycliffe College which is either side of this busy road.
Reaching the Thames & Severn Canal (known locally as "The Stroudwater") the Cotswold Way splits. To the left along the towpath was my route to reach our accommodation in Selsley. Straight over the canal leads to Middleyard where both paths meet once again.
Looking west down the towpath of the Thames & Severn Canal towards Saul Junction
Ryeford Double Lock which was constructed in 1779
The route leaves the canal and heads along a cycle path that runs along the A419 which is crossed near a large roundabout. A path leaves the other side of the A419 to head over open grazing fields to Selsley which can be seen ahead.
A very pleasant stay in a large room at the back of the pub. As it was a Sunday, they stopped serving food at 1500 therefore we made arrangements to eat locally at The Old Fleece in North Woodchester with our relatives who live in nearby Middleyard.
GPX Files - if these are required then please use the Contact Form to let me know and I will gladly forward them on
GPX Files - if these are required then please use the Contact Form to let me know and I will gladly forward them on
Day 6 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
11.1 miles
65.6 miles
4hrs 55mins
1725ft (526m)
65.6 miles
4hrs 55mins
1725ft (526m)