Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Haresfield Beacon, a superb vantage point on the Cotswold Way
On coming to a small road opposite Ringhill Farm bear left for a few
paces, then go to the right, through a metal field gate and along a track
winding uphill beside a Dutch barn. At another field gate take the path
along the right-hand side of a fence, and on to the trig point at the
promontory end of Ring Hill, known here as
Haresfield Beacon
(grid ref:
820088). This exquisite spot rewards with a magnificent broad panorama
overlooking the Vale of Gloucester, the River Severn, and the Forest of
Dean rimming the horizon. The Severn glistens and gleams as it sweeps in
huge oxbows out to the west.
HARESFIELD BEACON
Haresfield Beacon is a splendid promontory viewpoint at the tip of Ring Hill, on which
there was once a hill fort of 10 acres (4 hectares). We know that the Romans were
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.
There are green vales and meadows below, woods and hedgerows dark-
ening the landscape with strips and cloud-like shadows far off. There are
distant towns and villages and isolated farms, but each in its place. It is all
so orderly and set out in such artistic proportions - a lovely, gentle, very
English landscape.
Facing the view, turn left at the trig point, walk along the scarp edge
with the slope falling to your right, and note across the indented vale an-
other projecting spur which you will visit next. Pass through a gate onto
a fence-guided path that takes you among trees and then out to the edge
