27/08/18 - Crickley and Leckhampton Hills

Distance - 6.5 Miles
Walk Inspiration - Jarrold More Cotswold Walks - Walk 20
Geocaches - 5



Much of today's walk is along the Cotswold Way - the first Long Distance Path I completed back in 2006.  Fortunately, I remember little from 12 years ago and its much like walking for the first time.

The walk is a beauty - offering possibly the finest views from the Cotswold Escarpment over the Severn Vale and the Malvern.   Climbs aplenty, but all gradual.

Woodland from the Air Balloon Pub climbing to Crickley Hill.

Easy Upward Walking

Mrs M striding away on the Cotswold Way - Gustav providing future inspiration

We emerge from trees and literally walk along the edge of the escarpment.  Its all about the views, and many photos are taken.   Just one will give you the idea.

To the Malverns

A quiet lane carries us to Ullenwood Golf Club, where you can see from the map that we conquer Leckhampton Hill by completing a complete loop.   Other walkers are observed following the same Jarrold Book Guide but even that coincidence is not enough to generate a conversation.

Leckhampton Hill is the quarry that provided the stone for much of Cheltenham, seen below.   There is a man made feature marked on the OS Map called the Devils Chimney and once again, we fail to find the correct path to see it up close.   I think we are too high on the Cotswold Way but the views more than compensate.

Toposcope detailing what we can see

Cheltenham below and a bit of the rock that created it

Green lanes and field systems deliver us back to the post walk celebration venue.

The Air Balloon is a Chef and Brewer pub that does neither particularly well but somehow generates a hugely loyal patronage.   I know its a bank holiday Monday, but I didn't expect to be told that no tables were available at 12:05pm when we arrive.

After much negotiation (we will sit outside fell on deaf ears but we have Tesco Vouchers somehow mobilised them into allowing us to have early use of a table booked for 2pm) we are allowed in.

Real Ales are off - with the exception of a forlorn Abbott Ale.   Food was adequate but not offering value for money.   Even with Tesco Vouchers.

Still, we were fed and watered and the service was friendly.   The rain stayed off.  The walk was a classic Cotswold ramble.  We'll file it under Bank Holiday success.

Chef and Brewer