Capel Lane starts out as a surfaced road. Just past the first house, the road becomes a surfaced footpath and crosses a dismantled railway. The rail tracks are no longer visible but signs of a red and black brick wall beneath a cloak of ivy are visible on each side of the path and provide a hint as to where the former railway passed by.
As you continue up the footpath, look back at the views across Cheltenham to your right. Soon you will hear buzzing from the pylons above. Note the driveway on the right that leads to California Farm. This farm will feature later in the walk. As the road bears to the left, a gate straight ahead leads to a grassy path ascending the hill. In summer this path is lined with numerous wildflowers; wild scabious, greater knapweed, pyramid orchids and butterflies.
You then enter a wooded area. After passing through a gate, do not go into the field beyond, but turn sharp left, where you will walk through a poorly drained area next to a barbed wore fence. Emerging into the field beyond, turn right and head diagonally across the field, crossing the former route of the Cotswold Way at the midpoint. Aim for the kissing gate beyond and stop there to look back at Old Dole Farm with its walled garden.
This is the steep part. Follow the path up the hill into the woods and on to some steep, poorly maintained steps, many of which have sunk into the footpath. When you are almost at the top, rather than continuing on to the road, look for a hairpin bend to the right. This path will take you to Ravensgate Common.
Once on the Common bear left along the crest of the scarp, enjoying the far reaching views to the Malverns and beyond. Here you will briefly coincide with the route of the Cotswold Way.
As you reach the far side of the arc, there is what appears to be a grassy earthwork.
Just past the earthwork, bear right and start the descent along an old track.
Part way down the old track there is a gate on the left and a three way fingerpost. Turn left into the field and head along the bridleway to the far right corner. Continue to descend, past Vineyards Farm and down into Timbercombe Wood, passing through several gates on the way.
At the end of this section there is a triangle of roads, where some stop to park. Take the left side of the triangle and on to the Cirencester Road where you emerge opposite the Clock Tower Hotel.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
12 comments
Skip to comment form
Capel Lane starts out as a surfaced road. Just past the first house, the road becomes a surfaced footpath and crosses a dismantled railway. The rail tracks are no longer visible but signs of a red and black brick wall beneath a cloak of ivy are visible on each side of the path and provide a hint as to where the former railway passed by.
As you continue up the footpath, look back at the views across Cheltenham to your right. Soon you will hear buzzing from the pylons above. Note the driveway on the right that leads to California Farm. This farm will feature later in the walk. As the road bears to the left, a gate straight ahead leads to a grassy path ascending the hill. In summer this path is lined with numerous wildflowers; wild scabious, greater knapweed, pyramid orchids and butterflies.
You then enter a wooded area. After passing through a gate, do not go into the field beyond, but turn sharp left, where you will walk through a poorly drained area next to a barbed wore fence. Emerging into the field beyond, turn right and head diagonally across the field, crossing the former route of the Cotswold Way at the midpoint. Aim for the kissing gate beyond and stop there to look back at Old Dole Farm with its walled garden.
This is the steep part. Follow the path up the hill into the woods and on to some steep, poorly maintained steps, many of which have sunk into the footpath. When you are almost at the top, rather than continuing on to the road, look for a hairpin bend to the right. This path will take you to Ravensgate Common.
Once on the Common bear left along the crest of the scarp, enjoying the far reaching views to the Malverns and beyond. Here you will briefly coincide with the route of the Cotswold Way.
The views are spectacular.
Follow the arc that looks down upon California Farm below. This is the highest point of the Cheltenham Circular and a sight to be savoured.
There is a wonderful array of flowers, bees and moths during the summer months. Here a cinnabar moth and a bee enjoying a thistle.
And this will become a cinnabar moth one day.
As you reach the far side of the arc, there is what appears to be a grassy earthwork.
Just past the earthwork, bear right and start the descent along an old track.
From here you can look back and see earlier sections of the route.
Part way down the old track there is a gate on the left and a three way fingerpost. Turn left into the field and head along the bridleway to the far right corner. Continue to descend, past Vineyards Farm and down into Timbercombe Wood, passing through several gates on the way.
At the end of this section there is a triangle of roads, where some stop to park. Take the left side of the triangle and on to the Cirencester Road where you emerge opposite the Clock Tower Hotel.