Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Crickley Hill is one of the Cotswolds' great archaeological discoveries. Some time
between 4000 and 3000BC, in the Neolithic period, more than 3 acres (1/hectares) of
the hill were occupied as a camp, consisting of a single ditch and a bank. A second
occupation took place about 700BC by Iron Age settlers, when 9 acres (3½ hectares)
were used for housing, for the storage of crops, and as livestock pens. A rampart
and palisaded walkway surrounded the camp, and a 6ft (1.8m) ditch was dug. A third
camp was made here following a period when Crickley Hill had been abandoned by
these first Iron Age settlers, and during this final occupation round houses were built.
This term of settlement ended with destruction by fire. On the observation platform a
series of information panels describe the various stages of occupation.
From the observation platform continue ahead to the end of a promon-
tory by a drystone wall, where there are more beautiful views. Turn left,
go through a gate and follow the wall, beyond which the slope plunges ab-
ruptly to a few houses. Keep beside the wall, then go ahead into beech
woods. Waymarks eventually bring you out near a very busy roundabout
at the Air Balloon pub (grid ref: 935161).
Cross with great care and pass along the left-hand side of the pub beside
the A417. Just beyond a bus shelter and a telephone kiosk, the pavement
dips and a narrow, waymarked path heads away to the right among trees
to bring you onto the scarp edge once more. The path leads on a switch-
back course along Barrow Wake, enjoying broad panoramas which include
the Vale of Gloucester, May Hill, the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons
beyond, and the curving line of the wolds ahead.
It was here, along Barrow
Wake, that in the 19th century a quarryman exposed a female burial site containing a
silver brooch, bronze owls, a decorated bucket and a richly ornamented bronze mirror.
These finds are to be seen in the Gloucester City Museum.
A fence accompanies the path to a field, and across this you enter wood-
land. Bear right. On coming to a junction of paths continue ahead for a
further 70 metres to a promontory descriptively known as the Peak, where
lovely secluded views are to be had. (Originally the Cotswold Way climbed
the steep path below the Peak, but was re-routed from Crickley Hill.)
Backtrack from the Peak to the path junction and take the right-hand
branch winding among trees and onto a woodland track. This leads directly
to the road immediately below the village of
Birdlip,
where accommoda-
tion and refreshments can be found. To reach the village walk uphill for
about 400 metres. To continue the walk, cross the road to where the path
descends among trees.
