Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SECTION 9
Birdlip to Dowdeswell (A40)
Distance
9½miles (15km)
Maps
Harvey's Cotswold Way 1:40,000 OS Landranger 163 Cheltenham
& Cirencester Area 1:50,000 OS Explorer 179 Gloucester, Chelten-
ham & Stroud 1:25,000
Accommodation
Charlton Kings (+ ½mile (800m)), and Dowdeswell
Refreshments
Near Crickley Hill, and at Dowdeswell
Once again woodlands are a major feature on this walk, but there are also wonderful
open sections with uplifting, far-reaching views. History continues to have an impact
too, but there are no villages at all on this section, just a few scattered buildings, and
the odd intrusion of a busy road to remind you of the pleasures to be enjoyed in the
more remote wolds elsewhere between Birdlip and Dowdeswell.
The day begins by rejoining the path as it crosses the slopes of Birdlip Hill and winds
on a woodland track to a viewpoint on The Peak. You then follow a series of paths
along the scarp edge, go over a busy road, and come on to Crickley Hill Country Park
with its fascinating archaeological site and open grasslands speckled with orchids in
springtime. From here the scarp is traced to Shurdington Hill, then along a former
drove-road, followed by a return to the escarpment near Leckhampton Hill. Projecting
from a lower terrace of the scarp is the Devil's Chimney, which has become the unof-
ficial symbol of the Cotswold Way, although it's necessary to break off the path a little
in order to see it close-to.
Beyond Leckhampton Hill the scarp is hugged again round Charlton Kings Common,
before veering 'inland' to Seven Springs where a new route has been made to avoid a
lengthy stretch of road-walking. The route gives more scenic pleasures from the scarp
edge before descending through woodland to a valley in which lies Dowdeswell Reser-
voir.
Please see map,
Southbound, Section 5.
Resume the route by taking the woodland track rising on the north side of
the road below Birdlip. The track winds among trees and brings you to a
path junction. Bear left and go on to another path junction. Bear left again
for about 70 metres to the promontory viewpoint of The Peak, to enjoy
the view, then backtrack to the junction and continue ahead (ignoring the
previous path approaching from the right).
Leaving the woods, maintain direction along the left-hand edge of a field,
then follow a switchback course along the scarp edge of Barrow Wake,
