Day 8 - Tuesday 21 June 2022
North Nibley to Old Sodbury (15.8 miles)
Weather once again warm and it was therefore decided to restrict Fudge to a shorter walk today. Angie drove me back to North Nibley from Wotton and would meet me in the village of Alderley where we would have a nice break and she would pick up Fudge. At almost 16 miles this would be the longest day of The Cotswold Way.
Two miles back to Wotton-under-Edge by road but my route would be just under three
To the south of North Nibley a sunken lane on the left leaves the B4060 and heads uphill towards the Tyndale Monument
I could see it from several miles away yesterday and now the Tyndale Monument was in full view
The Tyndale Monument
The monument stands 111ft high and sits atop Nibley Knoll above the village of North Nibley. It was built in 1866 in honour of William Tyndale (1494 -1536), an early translator of the New Testament into English who was born nearby. The tower is normally open and an internal staircase leads to the top which gives fantastic views over the countryside.
The monument stands 111ft high and sits atop Nibley Knoll above the village of North Nibley. It was built in 1866 in honour of William Tyndale (1494 -1536), an early translator of the New Testament into English who was born nearby. The tower is normally open and an internal staircase leads to the top which gives fantastic views over the countryside.
Looking up to the Tyndale Monument to a beautiful sky
The toposcope on the summit of Nibley Knoll which was erected to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977
Wotton Hill is topped by a symbolic cluster of pine trees. These trees can be seen from Wotton-under-Edge and replaced the original trees planted to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
Wotton-under-Edge from Wotton Hill
Wotton-under-Edge. The "Edge" refers to the limestone escarpment of the Cotswold Edge which includes Wotton Hill above the town.
In the pic above attached to the Tolsey building is the Tolsey Clock which is one of the feature landmarks of the town. This particular clock has been in place since Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, but there has been a clock on the building since 1595. The Clock is now looked after by the Town Council, which took over the responsibility from Wotton Town Trust a few decades ago.
In the pic above attached to the Tolsey building is the Tolsey Clock which is one of the feature landmarks of the town. This particular clock has been in place since Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, but there has been a clock on the building since 1595. The Clock is now looked after by the Town Council, which took over the responsibility from Wotton Town Trust a few decades ago.
The War Memorial in Wotton-under-Edge
Clear and well looked after signage for the Cotswold Way in Wotton-under-Edge
St Mary's Church, Wotton-under-Edge
Leaving Wotton-under-Edge, a small stream runs to the right of the path which provided Fudge with an opportunity to cool off his paws
Heading along lush green fields near Nanny Farmer's Bottom as we near Alderley
Meanwhile Angie had not been wasting her time and popped into Wotton Farm Shop to buy this lovely lump of loveliness (a Steak & Stilton pastie) for my lunch which she duly delivered to me in Alderley.
Chilling in Alderley opposite Alderley House with St Kenelm Church to the left
St Kenelm Church, Alderley
A knitted procession outside St Kenelm Church to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. It is still difficult to imagine that 3 months later she would sadly pass away.
South East of Alderley the The Cotswold Way joins The Monarch's Way who then part company at Little Sodbury. The 615 miles of the Monarch's Way starts in Worcester and ends at Shoreham-by-Sea. It is based on the lengthy route taken by King Charles II during his escape after defeat by Cromwell in the final battle of the Civil Wars at Worcester in 1651 when for six weeks the 21-year-old King was hotly pursued by Parliamentary troops. It takes in Boscobel (the Royal Oak Tree), Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds, Mendips and the South Coast from Charmouth to Shoreham. There are many historic buildings, features of interest and antiquity, with connections to numerous other long distance routes.
Heading for Lower Kilcott via this lovely tree lined lane
Nearing Hawkesbury Upton I reached the monument built in memory of General Lord Robert Somerset
The Somerset Monument was built in 1846 and is a Grade II listed building. Lord Somerset was a British soldier who fought during the Peninsular War and the War of the Seventh Coalition. From 1830 he sat for Gloucestershire and from 1834 to 1837 was MP for Cirencester. The memorial was designed by Lewis Vulliamy, and built by staff from the nearby Badminton House estate which was the principal seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the late 17th century. The stone tower is around 100 feet (30m) high and has a viewing platform at the top. The structure tapers slightly and has four panelled sides. On the southern panel is the arms of the Somerset family.
Entering the village of Hawkesbury Upton - I wouldn't be in the village for long as the Cotswold Way soon leaves to the right
From the village the route passes along an old drovers road towards Horton
Looking across to Horton Court
THe Millennium Folly near Horton
Unsurprisingly, the tower was built in the year 2000, just below the Iron Age hillfort of Horton Camp, "as a millennium project to provide nesting places for swallows and barn owls" (notice attached to the building).
Unsurprisingly, the tower was built in the year 2000, just below the Iron Age hillfort of Horton Camp, "as a millennium project to provide nesting places for swallows and barn owls" (notice attached to the building).
St Adeline's Church, Little Sodbury
The ancient hill fort near Woodcock Farm - not much to see now unfortunately
St John the Baptist Church, Old Sodbury. The church sits up on the hill overlooking the village.
Next to the church is a toposcope detailing Old Sodbury in relation to its surroundings
Journey's end today - The Dog Inn at Old Sodbury. Angie picked me up here and we then made our way to Tolldown to our accommodation for the evening.
A chain pub (Butcombe) just off the A46. We had a very pleasant evening meal here once we had moved tables away from the couple who were having a full blown domestic right in front of us. Our room was in the courtyard away from the hustle & bustle of the pub.
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Day 8 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
15.8 miles
95.4 miles 6hrs 35mins 2267ft (691m) |