Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SECTION 2
Cold Ashton to Tormarton
Distance
6 miles (9½km)
Maps
Harvey's Cotswold Way 1:40,000
OS Landranger 172 Bristol, Bath & Surrounding
Area 1:50,000
OS Explorer 155 Bristol & Bath 1:25,000
Accommodation
Pennsylvania and Tormarton
Refreshments
Pennsylvania and Tormarton
With only 6 miles (9½km) to cover, this stage could be walked in a morning, but for
those with time to spare, a lengthy diversion into the National Trust's Dyrham Park
would be worth considering. Elsewhere there's agricultural land and a couple of woods
to wander through, before ending with a short spell of road walking.
From Cold Ashton the route goes across fields to the A46 at Pennsylvania, and from
there by way of woods and more fields to the edge of Dyrham village. The route does
not actually pass through Dyrham Park, so if this is on your itinerary you'll have to
make a diversion of a mile (1½km) to the official entrance beside the A46. Unless,
that is, you're a member of the National Trust, in which case it's permissible to enter
via the churchyard.
The way passes round the outside of the perimeter wall, with fine views to enjoy and
as clear an indication of long-past cultivation, in the form of strip lynchets, as you're
likely to see anywhere in the Cotswolds. Near Hinton Hill you pass in view of an histor-
ic site where, in
AD
577, the ancient Britons fought the Saxons and lost, thereby giving
the Saxons control of Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath. Finally, a series of fields brings
you to more woods through which you emerge to cross the A46 again, then by way of
farmland to another road which takes you across the M4 on the way into Tormarton.
See map,
Southbound, Section 12.
Wander through Cold Ashton, with the manor and the Old Rectory side by
side on the left, and lovely views of St Catherine's Valley off to the right,
into which the
Limestone Link Path
descends. Bear left into the church-
yard and out of the other side, then continue ahead alongside a drive to
reach the A420 opposite the White Hart. Cross to the pub and head left
alongside the road until you come to a Cotswold Way signpost directing
you into a field on the right. Go diagonally across this and the field beyond
where, in the far corner, steps lead up to the busy A46 on the edge of the
