Local Walks
A shorter walk starting from Minchinhampton. It will probably take no more than two hours and will vary in length from 2 to 5 miles (3 to 8 km) - suitable for a morning or afternoon expedition.
The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Stuart Fawkes Nature Reserve is relatively close to Minchinhampton and makes a pleasant walk of about 6 km. Note, however, that there is a modest amount of up-and-down, and some parts of the route can be very muddy after wet weather. It is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), designated under the name Box Farm Meadows, because it hosts the largest UK population of the rare meadow clary, Salvia pratensis, known only at 21 UK sites. The meadow clary flowers in June and July.
- Details
- Written by: Michael McEllin
- Category: Local Walks
This is a fairly level walk that follows the outer boundary of Minchinhampton Common. It can be started from a number of places, including the Bell Lane car park, the Common Road car park, the Beaudesert car park, and for local residents pretty much anywhere within Minchinhampton itself with the addition of a few minutes street walking to reach the Common.You can hardly get lost as long as you stick to the Common, and it can be made shorter by cutting corners. The views all around are excellent and the going normally very dry, unless after recent rain, and mostly on short grass. At the right season you will see abundant orchids and may come across relatively rare butterflies. The suggested route keeps you clear of the golfers on the Common - beware of walking across the fairways if golfers are active! It passes sufficiently close to two pubs in Amberley (the Amberley Inn or the Black Horse) to make the diversion negligible if you want to combine a walk with a pub lunch, or take a drink part-way round an evening walk.
The total length is about 4 miles (6.5 km) and the height variation no more than about 90ft (30 meters).
- Details
- Written by: Michael McEllin
- Category: Local Walks
