Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On the northern edge of Pen Wood a junction of paths is marked by an oak signpost.
The main CW path is signed to King's Stanley, but the alternative route goes ahead via
Selsley Common to Ryeford (?'/? miles). Take the lower of two paths, sloping down to
the bottom edge of the woods. It passes two houses, crosses a drive and curves into
a bay of the hills. When the path forks, branch right, climb to the eastern edge of the
woods and leave by a kissing gate which takes you onto the open slopes of Selsley
Common. From the west flank of the Common the Malvern Hills can be seen far ahead,
while the River Severn gleams to the left. Remain high, just below the crest of the
hills, until the path angles half-left down towards Selsley church.
Come to a road junction (grid ref: 829037), cross ahead and turn right towards Sels-
ley East and Stroud. Beyond the church and neighbouring gothic building of Stanley
Park the road forks at Bell Lane. A squeeze stile on the left gives into a sloping mead-
ow (further along the road another path cuts left to join this one). Cross two sections
of meadow with the aid of marker posts to show the way, and come to the A419.
Cross by way of pedestrian-controlled traffic lights and turn left on a tarmac path.
Take the upper option when the path forks, and soon after descend a flight of wooden
steps to a small field near Ebley Mill. Bear left through linking fields alongside the little
River Frome. The way eventually takes you across the stream on a bridge, and ahead
to the Stroudwater Canal where you turn left. This section of canal ends as you cross a
narrow service road and maintain direction through a rather untidy area of scrub and
damp patches indicating the canal's one-time course. At an abandoned lock it is met
once more, but this is a sad, neglected stretch of algae-covered water that you walk
beside as far as a road bridge at Ryeford (grid ref: 813046).
The path makes a clear traverse through the woods below Pen Hill, then
goes down an enclosed path which leaves the woods and comes onto the
very narrow Pen Lane. In a few paces enter a field on the right and des-
cend this to an enclosed footpath feeding onto a drive which takes you out
to a road in Middleyard by the side of Rosebank Cottage. Cross the road
and bear left for about 50 metres to find King's Stanley Baptist Church on
the right (grid ref: 820032).
Note
The quickest route into King's Stanley for accommodation and/or
refreshment is along the road beyond the Baptist Church. The Cotswold
Way takes a country route, and doesn't actually enter the village, although
it does take you close by where there's a good feeder path. This is de-
scribed at the start of Section 7.
