Chalford and the Stroud Valley

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Our view

"Discover the impact of the Industrial Revolution in the Cotswold valleys."

Walk directions

Walk towards Christ Church Chalford. Immediately before it, cross the road and locate a path going right, towards a canal roundhouse. Note the Belvedere Mill across to your left and follow the towpath alongside the Thames and Severn Canal on your right.

Cross a road at the junction with Belvedere Mews and descend steps. The path shortly passes under a railway line via a gloomy culvert so that the railway is now on your right, on the far side of the canal. Old mills and small factories, some being demolished, line the route, which continues for a further 2 miles (3.2km) to Brimscombe.

Shortly before arriving in Brimscombe, the towpath passes beneath the railway again and continues past a restored mill. Soon after, it becomes a road leading into an industrial estate. Opposite the old mill building in Brimscombe Port turn left to come to a junction. Cross the road and turn right. Immediately after The Ship Inn, turn left along a road among offices and workshops. Continue straight on along a path with factory walls to your right. The canal reappears on your left. As you walk on into the country, you will pass beneath two brick bridges and a metal footbridge.

Go past Griffin Mill Lock and at the next bridge, with a hamlet seen above the slopes on your left, turn right to follow a track via a bridge to a road. Cross this and turn left. After passing a bus shelter, turn right up a short path to meet Thrupp Lane. Turn right up to the first bend, then turn left. Just before Thrupp Farm, turn left then right into Claypits Lane and climb steeply.

After a long climb, as the road levels out you will see Nether Lypiatt Manor in front of you. Turn right beside a sycamore tree and go over a stile into a field. Go diagonally to the far corner. Cross a stone stile and follow a narrow path ahead beside trees to a road, then descend a lane opposite. Where it appears to fork, go straight on to Mackhouse, then hairpin left to descend past the house. Continue onto a narrow track into woodland, forking right near the bottom of the hill. Keep a pond on your left and cross a road to climb Bussage Hill. After 75yds (69m), pass a lane on the left and, at the top by a 30mph sign, turn left opposite the church lychgate onto a path that becomes a lane. Keep walking to a junction (The Ram Inn is a short distance down the road to the left) and turn right.

Where the road turns left to a junction, keep ahead to a telephone box and bus shelter. Turn left opposite the shelter to follow a path among houses into woodland. Go through a kissing gate and continue ahead until you meet a road. Turn left and immediately right down a path beside a cemetery. Keep left at a path junction. Descend to another road and turn right for 150yds (137m), walking with care on this short stretch of road. Bear left down a steep tarmac path among trees and continue on a lane descending into Chalford. Turn left at the bottom to return to the start of the walk.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Fields, lanes, canal path and tracks, several stiles

Landscape - Canal, road and railway, valley and steep slopes, villages

Dog friendliness - Good, with few stiles and little livestock

Parking - Lay-by east of Christ Church Chalford on A419

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Gloucestershire Dog-friendly walks in Gloucestershire

About the walk

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Walking in Safety

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Been on this walk?

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

Find out more

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.

Learn more

About the area

Gloucestershire is home to a variety of landscapes, including the Cotswolds, a region of gentle hills, valleys and gem-like villages that roll through the county. To their west is the Severn Plain, watered by Britain’s longest river and characterised by orchards and farms marked out by hedgerows that blaze with mayflower in the spring; beyond the Severn are the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley.