26th August 2012 Leckhampton Circular, Glos

This was a training walk with Robin and Geoff, in preparation for our travails on the 1st September in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. We met at Robin's at 09:00 and set off immediately towards Leckhampton Hill via Burrows Field and Collum End Rise. We walked up the old tram track until we reached Daisybank and then headed along the foot of the hill.

Leckhampton Hill

When we reached the junction with Sandy Lane we turned sharply to the right and climbed the track to the ridge which we followed for a while before heading off to the left towards Salterley Grange and Ullenwood beyond. We passed the golf club and crossed the A436, heading up South Hill and the hills beyond, zig zagging our way to the A417 and the White Heart Inn (which we passed!). We went to the back of the pub and crossed into the muddy fields towards Brimpsfield, before turning off the track to follow the river at the edge of Brimpsfield Park.

The White Heart Inn Nettleton Bottom

Me and Geoff

At the edge of Poston Wood we turned towards the A417 and passed beneath it with Elkstone to our right. We crossed fields of ripe barley before entering Cowley Wood and Cockleford beyond. We did stop at the Green Dragon for a refreshment (and a change of socks).

The Green Dragon Cockleford

We continued towards Cowley, passing the Girl Guides HQ, the manor house and a wedding, before crossing the fields towards Robin's place of birth and old stomping ground - Coberley. "I remember when the Green Dragon was only two rooms and all you could get was cider!"

Geoff at the Library

We went through the small village, admired the village phone box, now set up as a book swap facility and headed past the school and Robin's old house across fields towards the A436 main road again. We crossed the busy road and made our way across field to Hartley Woods and the farm beyond. We skirted round the farmyard and made our way towards Leckhampton Hill again where we started a gradual descent towards the lime kilns, before making the steep descent of the old tramway. We reached Daisybank, crossed the road and headed across fields to Collum End Rise and Leckhampton village. We crossed Burrows Field and made straight for the Somerset Arms for a pint with the GPS clocking 16.41 miles. Not bad!

An OS view of the walk is below, courtesy of QUO digital mapping/OS