Painswick to Dursley

*** To help you follow the route with confidence we have provided full written turn-by-turns to aid you on your walk from Painswick to Dursley. We strongly suggest that you follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day.  The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***

DISCLAIMER: Please note, the distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the direct routes at the time of our pathfinder walking them (this excludes walking to/from your accommodation to the start/end point, or for example coming off the path for lunch). There may be some slight discrepancies/small diversions that make the distances slightly out compared to your own mapping software (Strava/Garmin/Apple Watch).

0.00 km – Standing by the signpost in Victoria Square and facing the church, GO STRAIGHT ON down New Street, past the church on your left. At the half-timbered lych-gate, cross the road with care and GO STRAIGHT ON along Edge Road, leaving Painswick with views over the Frome Valley. (If preferred you can start the walk by going through the churchyard to see the yew trees and unusual table tombs.)

0.30 km – At Hambutt’s Drive TURN LEFT through the wooden gate signposted to Edge and GO STRAIGHT ON across the field.

0.50 km – Arriving at a small tarmac road TURN LEFT onto a narrow path between the houses. Emerging into a field, GO STRAIGHT ON downhill and BEAR RIGHT, on the main path by the sports field. Follow the wooden marker posts over a stream and past Washbrook Farm. This is a former woollen mill and has an interesting old doorway with a coat of arms dated 1691.

1.20 km – Immediately past the farm TURN LEFT onto the gravel track signposted to Haresfield Beacon. GO STRAIGHT ON following the path along a small wooded valley and over a stream. At the wooden gate BEAR LEFT across the field, past the stone milepost and up to the road.

1.90 km – At the small tarmac road TURN RIGHT uphill to the main road. TURN RIGHT and just before the pub, cross the road with care. GO STRAIGHT ON into Rudge Hill Nature Reserve and follow the wooden marker posts for approx 0.75 km. Look out for cowslips and several varieties of orchids in the spring.

2.80 km – Arriving at a main road GO STRAIGHT ON into Maitland Wood and descend to a gravel track (take care here as there is a steep decline). TURN LEFT at the signpost and GO STRAIGHT ON through the ancient beech trees to Stockend wood for approx 1.5 km.

4.40 km – Reaching a small tarmac road, GO STRAIGHT ON, following the Cotswold Way signpost. In 300 m TURN LEFT uphill, off the road on a path signposted to Haresfield Beacon. On the left is an ancient well giving its name to Cliffwell cottages on the right. GO STRAIGHT ON passing a memorial stone to the Civil War siege of Gloucester.

4.80 km – At the tarmac road TURN LEFT uphill, then almost immediately TURN RIGHT past the barn and GO STRAIGHT ON up to Haresfield Beacon and the summit marker.

6.20 km – At the summit marker TURN LEFT and follow the escarpment edge with panoramic views to the right. Go down some wooden steps before the small car park then GO STRAIGHT ON up to Shortwood viewpoint.

7.60 km – At the viewpoint marker TURN LEFT and follow the grassy path to the car park.

8.00 km – At the car park TURN RIGHT into Standish Wood and immediately BEAR LEFT as the path splits into three. GO STRAIGHT ON through Standish Wood for approx 2.8 km. Follow the wooden marker posts to Randwick. NB; There are lots of paths in this popular area so be sure to follow the prominent Cotswold Way markers. Standish Wood is an ancient beech wood mentioned in documents as far back as 1297.

10.80 km – Arriving at a small car park GO STRAIGHT ON through the metal gates, with good views of Stroud to the left and the Severn Valley to the right. In 300m where the path divides BEAR LEFT towards the small wood and a stone stile.

11.20 km – Cross the stile and TURN RIGHT down through the wood. GO STRAIGHT ON across the small road and another stone stile, then BEAR LEFT on the path across the open field. 

11.70 km – At the tarmac road TURN RIGHT and go uphill for 200m, then BEAR LEFT over a stone stile. NB; this is not well marked. GO STRAIGHT ON downhill across several fields, through a vineyard to the railway.

13.00 km – Cross the Railway Bridge and GO STRAIGHT ON down to the main road. TURN RIGHT along the main road and follow the footpath to a small roundabout.

13.40 km – At the roundabout, TURN LEFT down Ryeford Road North, and GO STRAIGHT ON over the Stroudwater Canal to the main road. TURN LEFT on the cycle path and cross the main road with extreme care at the traffic lights. BEAR LEFT on the other side of the road following the cycle path along Ryeford Road South towards Kings Stanley.

13.90 km – Just past Stanley Mill and across the River Frome, TURN LEFT across the road then BEAR RIGHT following the trail for around 400m you will BEAR RIGHT then TURN LEFT (if you wish you go to the Kings Head Pub then follow the road straight on instead into Kings Stanley itself). Shortly after TURN RIGHT again following the prominent path and way markers across the fields towards the hill away from Kings Stanley.

15.40 km –Arriving in Middleyard TURN LEFT onto the main road then in 50m TURN RIGHT onto Coombe Lane. Just after Withington Cottage BEAR RIGHT where the path divides and GO STRAIGHT ON uphill to a small tarmac road.

15.80 km – At the tarmac road, BEAR LEFT before the driveway to The Penn, and GO STRAIGHT ON steeply uphill.

15.90 km – At the Cotswold Way signpost TURN RIGHT following the path to Coaley Peak and GO STRAIGHT ON through the woods along the side of the escarpment for approx 1.5 km.

17.30 km – At a wooden stile and metal gate, GO STRAIGHT ON across the open field with panoramic views of the Severn Estuary in the distance.

18.00 km – Re-enter the wood through a wooden gate and GO STRAIGHT ON, climbing steadily up the hillside. Follow the wooden marker posts and signs to reach Coley Peak Picnic Site and Nympsfield Long Barrow.

19.40 km – At the Long Barrow GO STRAIGHT ON along the edge of the escarpment,t with spectacular views over the Severn Valley, to Coley Peak viewpoint. BEAR LEFT and follow the path along the escarpment and then parallel to a road.

20.30 km – At the road junction, cross with care and GO STRAIGHT ON for 50m then BEAR RIGHT onto the path and descend steeply through the trees. Should you wish a short detour to Hetty Peglar’s Tump (a Neolithic long barrow) carry on for a short distance up the road instead of descending down the path.

21.00 km – Just through a wooden gate BEAR LEFT up the steeper path following the wooden marker posts. Hetty Peglar’s Tump is above the steep slope on the left. GO STRAIGHT ON an old quarry face to a gravel track and a welcome seat by a road.

21.90 km – At the wooden marker post TURN RIGHT and descend steeply downhill through the wood to Hodgecombe Farm. GO STRAIGHT ON along the track to a tarmac road.

22.50 km – At the road TURN RIGHT then in 200m by the farm, BEAR LEFT over a wooden stile and GO STRAIGHT ON steeply uphill to Cam Long Down.

23.20 km – At the top of Cam Long Down GO STRAIGHT ON following the marker signs along the ridge then descend steadily down to a path junction and signpost. There are panoramic views across the whole area.

24.00 km – At the signpost TURN LEFT towards Dursley then in 50m BEAR LEFT through the wooden gate, down the field to a road. 

24.40 km – BEAR RIGHT across the road and GO STRAIGHT ON along the path signposted Cotswold Way, beside a small stream and then across several fields for approx 1 km.

25.60 km – At a metal gate TURN RIGHT along a small tarmac road and GO STRAIGHT ON towards Dursley.

26.00 km – At the road junction, GO STRAIGHT ON along Long Street to the town centre.

26.20 km – Arrive at the entrance to the St James Church at the end of Long Street.

*** This is the end of our Painswick to Dursley route. ***