Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sodbury Hill Fort is one of the most impressive on the walk. Consisting of 11 acres
(4½ hectares) enclosed by ramparts and ditches, it was constructed in the Iron Age
but considerably strengthened by the Romans who, it is thought, used it as a frontier
post. Although never excavated, a few Roman coins have been found in the turf. The
Saxon army camped in the shelter of the ramparts in
AD
577, and in 1471 Edward IV
rested here with his army on the way to do battle with Margaret of Anjou at Tewkes-
bury.
The Cotswold Way cuts through the meadowland heart of Sodbury Hill Fort
Coming onto a country road through a field gate, turn right to Coomb's
End. Shortly after passing a road junction the Cotswold Way enters a field
on the left, with a sign giving 1½ miles (2.5km) to Tormarton. Walk across
the field, passing to the right of a raised group of trees, and on the far
side cross a pair of stiles and a long tarmac drive leading to
Dodington
House
, unseen off to the right.
The way continues through the parkland, which is often busy with pheas-
ant and guinea fowl. Beside a metal field gate go through a kissing gate,
bear half-left, then maintain this direction across Dodington Park by way
of a series of stiles and more kissing gates. Eventually cross a footbridge
over a stream whose nearby springs are the source of the River Frome,
which flows into the Avon at Bristol. Now walk up a gentle slope to the
left-hand end of a strip of woodland where the path leads to the busy A46,
which has been crossed and recrossed several times since it was first met
in Broadway on Section 1.
DODINGTON HOUSE AND PARK
