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Stouts Hill is surrounded by hills and valleys and these are criss-crossed with many enticing footpaths. Both locally and
further afield there is wonderful countryside walking to be had with short, medium and longer distances to suit you.
So, all you need is a love of the countryside, a reasonable degree of mobility and fitness and a stout pair of shoes or boots.
Here are some suggestions to whet your appetite but, of course, the sky's the limit and the list could be endless!
Local Walks
The Stunning views from Uley Bury Fort
Uley Bury (Iron Age hill fort) either follow one of the marked footpath signs
from Uley Village up to this ancient spot and do a circular walk round it. The views to and across the Severn
Estuary into Wales are spectacular on a clear day.
Or drive up Frocester Hill (at the top of Uley Village) and about half a mile on the left park in the lay-by.
Walk up a gentle slope (past large gate) to the summit of Uley Bury and enjoy the same circular, flat walk around
the site.
Circular walk to Owlpen - this 15th Century house can be reached by a pleasant walk along field paths in the valley
with the return via the green at Uley and down through the village back to Stouts Hill.
There are many other local walks and information about them is available at Stouts Hill and the Uley Post Office & Stores.
Walks Further Afield
You will be spoiled for choice! Here is just a small selection.
Dyrham Park (National Trust) - situated off the Bath Road, the grounds of Dyrham House offer wonderful
walks with astounding views in places.
Cotswold Way - this long-distance footpath from Chipping Camden to Bath can, of course, be walked in
stages and is easily accessed from near Stouts Hill. For much of the way it is an escarpment route along the high edge of the
Cotswold escarpment, with views over the Vale of Evesham and the Severn Valley.
Castle Combe - this is one of the UK's most picturesque villages and a lovely circular walk, starting
near the village, can be made.
Other Villages - the Cotswolds are full of attractive stone villages and small towns, which can be a
starting point for countryside walks, provided you have a good walking-scale map with you (and don't forget those stout shoes or
boots!). For starters, the following are suggested: Tetbury, Little Sodbury, Old Sodbury,
Minchinhampton and its large common, Selsley (again with a common), Sapperton,
Brimpsfield, Syde and Caudle Green.
For a pleasant walk along the Cotswold Escarpment with superb views from the Haresfield Beacon (which is
about halfway along the Cotswold Way) ascend from the Edgemoor Inn on the A4173.
And for one of the finest panoramas in the Cotswolds, a circular walk taking in Seven Springs and the Devil's
Chimney will give you some wonderful experiences.
These suggestions are but the tip of the iceberg and apart from a good walking scale map (1 : 25 000 scale) you may wish to purchase
a set of South Cotswold walk-cards freely available from local retailers. These contain precise instructions for 12 circular walks
including refreshment facilities, length and time of walk, etc.
So we hope we have whetted your appetite!
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