Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ter, but you soon leave it for a footpath heading to the right. This takes you across a
bridge spanning the little River Frome and into a field.
Bear left through linking fields heading upstream until you're almost opposite Ebley
Mill. Here you climb a flight of wooden steps on the right to a tarmac path above the
A419. Turn left for a short distance, then cross the road at pedestrian-controlled traffic
lights, angle up a slope and enter a meadow via a kissing gate. Marker posts direct the
way across two sections of meadow before bringing you to a minor road at Selsley.
Turn right alongside the road towards Selsley church, and on coming to the junction
with The Grove cross to a gate, through which you then climb the slope leading onto
the lovely open flank of Selsley Common. The path takes you along the west flank
just below the crest of the hill (with huge views to enjoy), until you come to the edge
of Pen Wood. The way now goes down a slope to a path junction, then keeps ahead
through the woods.
After crossing a drive, wind along the slopes of Pen Hill to a signed junction at grid
ref: 818027. The right-hand option offers a descent to Middleyard and King's Stanley
for accommodation and refreshments, but the continuing route veers left and is signed
to Coaley Peak (2 miles). For the remainder of the walk to Dursley please turn to
page
After two sides of the field you come to another squeeze stile. Maintain
direction through two more fields, then find a footbridge leading from the
middle of the left-hand boundary hedge of the third field, over the Stroud-
to-Gloucester railway line, and down the edge of a sports field. On coming
to the B4008 opposite a garden centre, turn right and walk along the pave-
ment to a road junction with a dimple roundabout. Cross with care and
wander down Ryeford Road North in the direction of Ryeford. This takes
you over the Stroudwater Canal and, soon after, brings you to the A419.
The
Stroudwater Canal
was opened in 1779 to service the industrialised Stroud Valley.
It was only 8 miles (12½km) long, but it linked Stroud town with the navigable River
Severn at Upper Framilode by way of a dozen locks.
Cross at the pedestrian traffic lights, then walk ahead along Ryeford
Road South. This takes you past the nowobsolete
Stanley Mill
on the
edge of King's Stanley village (grid ref: 813043).
STANLEY MILL
Constructed in 1811, Stanley Mill is a five-storey brick-and-stone building whose great
looms were originally powered by no less than five waterwheels. These gave way to
steam power in 1827. Within its first 20 years the mill employed almost 1000 workers.
