Stroud Rambling Club

ON A sunny Sunday in early June a party of the Stroud Ramblers were enjoying a cuppa or even a cream tea reflecting on the walk they had just made, three hours earlier Bibury was full of coach loads of tourists visiting this charming Cotswold village.

The Ramblers had found it very difficult parking up to start the walk but this inconvenience was soon forgotten once the walk began.

The walk started at the Clapper bridge over the river Coln crossing the bridge past the picturesque Arlington Row, cottages now owned by the National Trust, continuing uphill to a small green turning left onto a footpath signed to Ready Token.

In just a few minutes the bustle of the crowds was gone.

Giving way to views of the rolling countryside through fields of waving corn, on the walk went, soon arriving at the edge of Coneygar Wood.

Not entering the wood, turning left towards the village of Coln St Aldwyn through a beautiful group of very fine beech trees, three relaxing miles had already been covered by the time they had reached the small road bridge just outside the village.

After a short lunch break the next three miles followed the river Coln through open pasture land, Ash copse and Oxhill Wood.

It was a lovely day, as though Mother Nature had put her best dress on just for them all to see.

Eventually the walk arrived back at Bibury much quieter now the crowds had almost gone more peaceful somehow.

The six mile walk would soon be happy memories for the tea drinkers wistfully gazing over the rim of their tea cups.

To find out more about Stroud Ramblers visit our web site.

We offer walks throughout the year and are always glad to welcome new members.