Sunday January 8th Seven Springs walk
30 Ramblers set off from Seven Springs on a nine mile circular walk, on a bright and sunny January morning.
Skirting the busy twin-roundabouts on the A435 they headed north-west, up a lane to Hartley Farm, where they turned down the track, past the old ruined house to Hartley Hill. Enjoying the splendid views over Cheltenham and beyond, the group continued on around the escarpment above the Devil’s Chimney. After stopping for coffee, they followed the Cotswold Way past Salterley Grange to the Star Centre at Ullenwood.
Crossing the main road they went down Greenway Lane, and turned left onto a path which led them into Crickley Hill Country Park. On reaching the visitor’s centre they enjoyed a lunch break in the winter sunshine. The walkers then rejoined the Cotswold Way and soon reached the notorious Air Balloon Roundabout.
Taking great care they crossed the busy A417, and followed the side of the road up towards Birdlip for a short distance. Leaving the busy traffic behind them, the party went through a small copse, and headed up across fields using the Gloucestershire Way. Passing the kennels they dropped down into Coldwell bottom and followed the path east. They soon arrived at the small village of Lower Cobberley,
and after viewing the infant River Churn, they took a path across fields back to Seven Springs.
Heading for Hartley Hill from Seven Springs
View over Cheltenham from Hartley Hill
View from Leckhampton Hill with the Malverns on the horizon
The footpath on Leckhampton Hill
By the orientation table on Leckhampton Hill
Lunch at Crickley Hill visitor centre
The descent from Crickley Hill to the Air Balloon
View towards Witcombe reservoirs from Crickley Hill
On the footpath to Coldwell Bottom