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Around Coln St Aldwyns

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Our view

"Discover how a classic Cotswold village has changed over the decades"

Walk directions

From the centre of Coln St Aldwyns, take the road south towards the river. Descend the hill, pass The New Inn and follow the road as it bears right. Head out of the village and along a straight stretch of road. Cross the stone bridge and bear right by Yew Tree Lodge to a meeting point of a footpath and a bridleway.

Take the bridleway and follow it ahead, passing a copper beech tree. Begin a steady climb and walk between ash and beech trees. Cross farmland, following a stone wall on the left, and make for a gate ahead in the field corner. Keep ahead on the bridleway, continue through the next boundary and on towards a pair of stone-built houses. Draw level with the houses and on the left is a converted barn. Go across the next two fields, with trees on the right in the second pasture. Make for a house, and pass through a wooden gate just to the left of it.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Road walking, paths and tracks

Landscape - Undulating parkland, farmland and meadow in the Coln valley

Dog friendliness - Lead required in Coln St Aldwyns

Parking - Roadside parking in Coln St Aldwyns

Toilets en route - None on route

About the walk

Through text and photographs, the Church of St John the Baptist at Coln St Aldwyns illustrates just how much the traditional English village has changed over the years – particularly during the 20th century. The effects of great social change, in this village and countless other rural communities,... are recorded in this great place of worship, and the evidence can be witnessed in the surrounding streets. Before the days of motorised transport, social life in villages such as Coln St Aldwyns was mostly limited to the community itself – a far cry from today when greater mobility enables people to travel easily and much further. In this particular village, the church, the hall, the pub, and the shop and post office were at the heart of village activity and formed its lifeline. A local reading room was established here in 1884, with whist drives organised later. The reading room was an outstanding success and all manner of activities took place here. Ping-pong was introduced in 1902, a magic lantern was acquired in 1907 and a billiard table in 1911. An ever-widening range of pursuits led to the forming of a rifle club, launched in the village in 1903, with women joining for the first time in 1921. The village school opened in 1856, and one day the headmistress surprised pupils and parents by introducing a lamb as one of her charges. The children adopted the lamb and eagerly monitored its growth. They wrote reports and essays on his character and development while the lamb happily slept through it all at the back of the classroom. The school closed in 1971 – like countless other village schools around the country, another victim of increasing social upheaval. The school may have gone, but the pub remains at Coln St Aldwyns – and it was a different story a quarter of a century ago. In 1988, The New Inn was purchased by property developers, who wanted to convert the pub into weekend apartments. There was an immediate outcry in the village. The Coln St Aldwyns Society was set up to raise funds to prevent the unthinkable from becoming a reality. With the help of several well-known residents, including the novelist Joanna Trollope, the fight began and £100,000 was eventually raised through a series of public events. The battle to rescue The New Inn became a national news story, with journalists and television crews descending on the village. Thankfully, the pub was saved, re-opening to the public in 1991 – and the people of Coln St Aldwyns proved themselves to be a spirited bunch.

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About the area

not available. .

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3 miles (4.8kms)

Ascent:

195ft (60m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Around Coln St Aldwyns

Recommended by

Our view

"Discover how a classic Cotswold village has changed over the decades"

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

3 miles (4.8kms)

Ascent:

195ft (60m)

Walk directions

1 of 6

2 of 6

Exit to the road and turn right. Follow the road for about 40yds (37m) and then turn right by Coneygar Lodge to join a track. Follow it between fields, crossing Akeman Street, a Roman road (no evidence of the route survives on the ground). The track bends right towards Ash Copse, and after 50yds (46m) reaches a junction. Bear left on a woodland path and follow it as it gradually descends to a gate beyond which is a meadow. Drop down to a footbridge, but do not cross it.

3 of 6

Instead turn sharp right, almost going back on yourself, and make for a gate in the trees and a footpath sign. Follow a stony track with Ash Copse on your right, go through a galvanized gate and cross meadows, with the River Coln meandering through the countryside to your left. Pass through another gate and at the end of the next field bear right away from the river, following the obvious path.

4 of 6

Walk beside extensive woodland, with the tower ofthe Church of St John the Baptist peeping between the trees. Follow the path into woodland, make for a gate on the far side of the trees and enter a meadow. The houses and cottages of Coln St Aldwyns can be seen across on the opposite bank. Keep woodland over to the right as you continue ahead on the path and return to Yew Tree Lodge.

5 of 6

At the road swing left, cross the bridge again and then turn immediately left along a drive. Follow it to the entrance to Upper Mill and turn right, across a bridge over the mill-race. Follow the path uphill and continue on a lane, passing the entrance to the church. At the next junction keep right and return to the centre of the village.

6 of 6

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Road walking, paths and tracks

Landscape - Undulating parkland, farmland and meadow in the Coln valley

Dog friendliness - Lead required in Coln St Aldwyns

Parking - Roadside parking in Coln St Aldwyns

Toilets en route - None on route

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

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About the area

not available. .

Around Coln St Aldwyns

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Around Coln St Aldwyns

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