Today we are finally getting in the car to start a walk away from Pebbly Hill Nurseries. The better weather over the last couple of days means the site is drier, but I am still cautious leaving the site as I don’t want to scar the grass too much. We are heading to the village of Condicote which is on the other side of Stow-in-the-Wold.
The starting point for our walk is the village hall car park in Condicote (Grid Ref SP153282). Leaving the car park we turn left and follow the road to the village green where we stop to look at St Nicholas’ Church. Parts of this church date to the 12th century, but it has a more modern look due to a major refurbishment in 1888.
From the church we continue around the green, which is apparently called the pound by the locals, to look at the village cross. It is said to be over 500-years old and at one time there was a fresh water spring close to it.
From the cross we turn and walk past the village bus shelter housing a George V post box within it.
We head out of the village in a north-westerly direction on the route of the Gloucestershire Way. This 96-mile, long distance trail starts in Chepstow and winds it’s way to Tewksbury. When the road sweeps to the right near Cedar Gables Farm we stay on the Gloucestershire Way along a farm track.
At a junction with a road we turn right and after a few hundred yards turn left on a track leading into a plantation still on the route of the Gloucestershire Way.
At a fork in the track on the northern edge of the plantation we go left staying with the Gloucestershire Way. The path goes along the edge of a field and then diagonally across two fields to reach a junction of paths, we go right leaving the Gloucestershire Way for the Diamond Way. After heading across another arable field to reach a gate we follow the path along a track.
When the Diamond Way turns to the right, heading to Cutsdean Lodge, we continue straight on following the track besides a copse.
We stay with this track to a minor road and then continue along the road to reach a crossroads, and turn left to walk on the grass verge beside Buckle Street. About half a mile along we reach the Ordnance Survey trig pillar on Cutsdean Hill. This is my 247th trig.
Our route continues beside the road, which doesn’t have much traffic but what there is is mostly lorries going to and from a nearby quarry. A mile from the trig we reach a crossroads and continue straight over and then just short of another mile we turn left to join a track, this is opposite a turning to Kineton.
The track heads besides arable fields towards a barn and then the footpath is way-marked through a gate into a field of pasture. The footpath signs continue as we go through a succession of gates and fields with a series of old barns at regular intervals on our left.
On reaching a minor road we turn right and follow this lane for a mile to reach a junction close to Nosehill Farm, here we turn left. This is a quiet lane and we only encounter a couple of vehicles. After about a mile and a quarter we stop to look at a fine old barn with a post box in the wall.
We continue along the road heading in an easterly direction. It is unusual for us to walk so far on tarmac but the views from the lane are cracking and with so little traffic it is pleasant to be walking on firm ground after our recent experiences of sploshing around in mud.
A mile from the post box barn we reach a junction with a drove on the left. We follow the drove, Condicote Lane, as it ascends gradually northwards. This is the route of the old Roman Road known as Ryknield Street, or Icknield Street. It appears that the name changes at regular intervals as the Roman Road travels between Bourton-on-the-Water and Templeborough in South Yorkshire.
In just under half a mile we reach the brow of the hill on which sits the Condicote Ordnance Survey trig pillar. This is my 248th trig bagged.
Continuing north along the track towards Condicote the sky in front of us looks very ominous and we decide to put our waterproofs on before the rain reaches us.
After crossing the B4077 we continue along Condicote Lane and then cross a minor road before reaching a junction of paths where we turn right and walk back towards the village.
From the village green we retrace our steps back to our starting point in the Village Hall car park.
The accompanying rain over the last couple of miles has put a bit of a damper on our day. We had been encouraged by the sunshine and hoped we might get a full day without rain. Let’s hope for a drier day tomorrow!
You can view this 12 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer OL 45 – The Cotswolds
24th May 2021
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.
