Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HARESFIELD BEACON
The beacon is a splendid promontory viewpoint at the top of Ring Hill, on which there
was once an Iron Age hill fort of 10 acres (4 hectares). We know that the Romans
were also here, because excavations at the eastern end of the hill in 1837 unearthed
traces of a Roman building and a pot containing nearly 3000 coins.
This is one of the finest viewpoints on the Cotswold Way. A huge panor-
ama overlooks the Vale of Gloucester, River Severn, Forest of Dean, and
so much more. In spring the hawthorn bushes are afroth with blossom
and the grasslands dazzling with wild flowers. In October autumn colours
burnish the scene. There's a wondrous sense of space, and this is a great
place to spread yourself on the lush turf and allow the long walk to come
into perspective; it is a picnic spot
par excellence
.
Return from the trig point spur heading north-east, with the slope falling
away to your left. Through a gate follow the path ahead down to Ringhill
Farm. Bear left on the lane, then take the track on the right. This leads
without confusion through woods, passes Cromwell's Stone (on a bend)
and comes out to another quiet lane between Cliffwell Cottages and a well-
head in its stone-built housing (grid ref: 833095).
Bear right along the lane for about 350 metres, then leave it to take a
bridleway forking left into Halliday's Wood. This track can be rather muddy
at times and, in places, heavily threatened by rampant growth on either
side. The way follows it for a little over ½ mile (800m), passing an unusual
hexagonal house on the left, before coming to a narrow path climbing to
the right through Stockend Wood.
On arrival at a minor road near some abandoned quarries on Scottsquar
Hill, cross to find a narrow path working its way left of the quarries. Bey-
ond them waymark posts direct you south-eastward down the slopes of
Edge Common, with views ahead to Painswick backed by the dark green
of woodland. At a major crossing path (or track), continue down the slope
and you'll soon reach a gate leading on to the A4173 Gloucester-to-Stroud
road opposite the Edgemoor Inn. (The village of Edge lies just a short walk
along the road to the left.)
Cross the road with care, turn right along the pavement, then take the
first turning left into Jenkin's Lane. Shortly before reaching Jenkin's Farm a
sign directs you left through a gate and down some steps into a field. Walk
ahead to find a pair of gates either side of a farm track. Through these
walk down the meadowland slope, soon coming to an upright stone mark-
