Escape to the beautiful Cotswold countryside and explore the three villages of Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury and Little Sodbury. Located near Bristol, this Cotswold walk takes you from one village to another following the three known trails of the Frome Valley Walkway, the Cotswold Way and the Monarch’s Way. This country walk from Chipping Sodbury enjoys the beautiful scenery of the Cotswold escarpment, the Frome Valley, the Severn Vale, the Bristol Channel and South Wales.
This circular walk starts at the medieval market town of Chipping Sodbury. Following the Frome Valley Walkway, you stroll along delightful country lanes and through green meadows to the lovely village of Old Sodbury. From there, you follow the Cotswold Way to the impressive Old Sodbury Hill Fort and the charming hamlet of Little Sodbury. This country walk then leads you along the Monarch’s Way and through lush fields back to Chipping Sodbury.
Location: Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire
Walk difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 3 to 3 ½ hours
Distance: 7 miles (11 km)
Strolling along the Frome Valley Walkway: From Chipping Sodbury to Old Sodbury
This Cotswold walk begins at Chipping Sodbury, a medieval market town north of Bristol. One of the highlights of this town is its quaint and broad high street. Typical of a Cotswold town, the high street is lined with gorgeous terraced town houses in the honey-coloured Cotswold stone as well as colourful shops, restaurants and pubs.
Chipping Sodbury High StreetThe Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury & Little Sodbury walk follows the Frome Valley Walkway, a lovely path along the River Frome (more aptly described as a stream), through the town first and then along the outskirts of the town. From there, you can catch your first glimpse of the beautiful Cotswold countryside. This circular walk then takes you through green meadows and lush fields, and along the River Frome to the lovely village of Old Sodbury.
Walking along the Cotswold Way: From Old Sodbury to Little Sodbury
As you cross the last field towards the village of Old Sodbury, you can spot the country houses and the church perched on the hill. Old Sodbury is a lovely village set on the Cotswold escarpment and enjoys an array of architecture from quaint cottages to large country houses. While in the village, I would recommend a detour to St John’s church. From the Norman church’s courtyard, you can enjoy fantastic views of Chipping Sodbury, the Frome Valley, the Severn Vale and the Bristol Channel.
Views from St John’s ChurchFrom Old Sodbury, this country walk follows the Cotswold Way through verdant fields and woodland, and along delightful country lanes. From there, you can enjoy further views of the Cotswold escarpment, the Frome Valley and the Severn Vale. Don’t forget to glance back to spot the village and the church of Old Sodbury.
The Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury & Little Sodbury walk then climbs steeply to the top of the Cotswold escarpment. There, you cross the Iron Age hill fort of Woodcote Farm. Enclosed by double ramparts and a ditch, the Old Sodbury hill fort is impressive in size. It is believed the fort was also used by the Romans and the Saxon army.
Roaming along the Monarch’s Way: From Little Sodbury back to Chipping Sodbury
This Cotswold walk leads you through lush woodland back to the bottom of the Cotswold escarpment and the hamlet of Little Sodbury. A charming and peaceful Cotswold hamlet, Little Sodbury boasts a small collection of lavish country homes as well as a 15th century privately-owned manor, currently under refurbishment.
Views of Little Sodbury from the Monarch’s WayFrom Little Sodbury, you then follow the Monarch’s Way through a succession of verdant fields. Again, don’t forget to glance back to enjoy lovely views of the Cotswold escarpment and the hamlet of Little Sodbury. Once you reach the outskirts of Chipping Sodbury, you follow the Frome Valley Walkway back to the high street.
Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury & Little Sodbury walk instructions
From Chipping Sodbury to Old Sodbury
1. Walk down Chipping Sodbury’s high street to the war memorial. Turn left onto Hatters Lane and immediately before the bridge, turn right onto the riverside path. Cross the road and follow the river, keeping it on your left.
2. At the brick wall, cross the metal bridge and follow the man-made footpath through the meadow, keeping the river to your right. Go through the gates into the next meadow and continue straight ahead. Then go through the kissing gate, turn right and follow the path round the field.
3. Go through the next two gates and continue straight ahead following the man-made paths through the meadows. Go through the following kissing gate and cross the road. Then go through the wooden kissing gate and follow the path. Go through the next gate and veer left aiming for the wooden post.
4. Go through the kissing gate and continue straight ahead. Then go through the next kissing gate and aim for the houses. Go through the following gate and cross the farm yard. Go through the next gate and follow the road to the junction. Turn sharply left and follow the road.
5. Detour to St John’s churchyard for fantastic views: At the junction, turn left and then left again into the churchyard.
From Old Sodbury to Little Sodbury
6. At the junction, cross the road to the footpath. Follow the uphill path and the signs for the Cotswold Way. Go through the next two gates and follow the paths straight ahead. After the tall tree, go through the kissing gate following the signs for the Cotswold Way and cross the field, keeping the boundary to your right.
Following the River Frome7. At the end of the field, go through the kissing gate and turn right onto the uphill path. Go through the following kissing gate into Woodcote Farm and cross the hill fort. Turn left, go through the kissing gate and follow the downhill path. At the junction, turn left, then fork left and go through the gate to the orchard.
8. Go through the next gate, turn right onto the country road and walk through the hamlet of Little Sodbury. After the church but before the junction, turn left onto the country path following the signs for the Monarch’s Way, cross over the stone stile and go through the gate.
From Little Sodbury to Chipping Sodbury
9. Continue straight ahead through the field. Go through the gate and over the wooden plank and continue straight ahead to the next field, keeping the field boundary to your right. Cross over the stile and aim for the top right corner of the field. Then cross over the following stile into the next field and continue straight ahead.
10. Cross over the stile and continue straight ahead, aiming to the middle of the opposite fence. Go through the kissing gate and veer left aiming for the middle of the left fence. Cross over the stile and then the field diagonally. In the field corner, cross over the stile, turn left and go round the field to the gate. Then go through the gate and turn right, keeping the field boundary to your right.
11. Go through the kissing gate, cross the farmyard and go through the next gate before continuing straight ahead and keeping the fence to your left. Go through the following kissing gate and continue straight ahead to the road. Cross the road, go through the next kissing gate and follow the path.
12. Go through the gate and veer right towards the wooden stile. Cross over the stile and the bridge and turn right, keeping the river to your right. Cross the road and follow the river path. Once again, cross the road and the bridge and continue along the river path. At the fork, turn left and then turn left onto the road. At the junction, you’ve reached Chipping Sodbury’s high street.
Download the walk itinerary PDF: Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury & Little Sodbury walk by adragonsescape.com
Find the walk map and download the GPX file: Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury & Little Sodbury walk on outdooractive.com
Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury & Little Sodbury walk details
Location: Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire
Walk difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 3 to 3 ½ hours
Distance: 7 miles (11 km)
Ascent: Somewhat steep
Trail condition: Good, but the trail can get muddy in wet weather
Accessibility: Not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or bikes
Parking: Streets of Chipping Sodbury (BS37 6BA)
Facilities: Toilets, shops and pubs in Chipping Sodbury and Old Sodbury
Notes: Please be mindful of livestock and keep your dogs on a lead. Please beware of oncoming vehicles when walking on roads.
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