Frocester Hill and Hetty Pegler’s Tump

About trip

The walk starts from Coaley Peak Picnic Site on Frocester Hill where there are wonderful views over the Severn Vale and a topograph to put names to distant features. On a clear day you can see the Forest of Dean and the Welsh hills beyond. The picnic site and viewpoint are within 12 acres (5ha) of grassland reclaimed from agricultural use in the early 1970s and now seeded with wild flowers. There are also two important archaeological sites and some lovely woodland to enjoy along the way. Directions: a Turn off the B4066 into the ‘Nympsfield Long Barrow’ car park. Start by walking to Nympsfield Long Barrow 50yds (46m) to the north of the car park. Retrace your steps past the car park following the ‘Cotswold Way’ marker along the edge to a gate. b Go through the gate (Frocester Hill Viewpoint is a few yards to the right) and follow the path through the quarry, up steps to the road. c Turn left onto the road and at the next crossroads turn right and then right again signposted ‘Cotswold Way’. d Follow the path steeply downhill. Take the left fork where the path splits into two, staying on the Cotswold Way for ¾ mile (1.2kms) to a gate near the B4006. e Go through the gate then turn right through another gate just before the road. At the Uley Bury information board turn left across open countryside to where the path forks after 300yds (275m). Take the left fork downhill. f After 50yds (46m) turn left through a gate and stay on the bridleway downhill to the road. Turn right onto the road for 50yds (46m). g Turn left onto Crawley Lane and follow the road heading towards the house which is visible across the valley. Turn right at the barns and take the path to the left of the hedge. Follow the path uphill then slightly downhill to a crossroads in the path. h Take the left path uphill and after about 250yds (230m) turn right onto the larger path following it to the main road (B4066). i Turn right and, if desired, make a detour to ‘Uley Long Barrow’ (Hetty Pegler’s Tump). Carry on along the road to the Frocester/Nympsfield road junction. Turn left down the road to Frocester then right onto the Cotswold Way, retracing your steps back to the car park. Places of Interest: 1 Nympsfield Long Barrow is an example of the early, true-entranced Cotswold-Severn style of Neolithic chambered tomb, constructed around 2900BC. Unfortunately, it had already been partly destroyed before the first proper excavation in 1862, but at least the lack of a roof offers the chance of examining the general layout. A short passage from the eastern end leads to three chambers where the remains of 16 skeletons and pottery were found in the 1862 excavation. The mound was surrounded by a low dry stone wall, most of which is reconstructed. The upright slabs, however, are original. 2 Hetty Pegler's Tump (officially Uley Long Barrow), is a fine example of a Neolithic chambered tomb. It was named after Hester Pegler, the wife of the owner of the field in the 17th century. In common with Belas Knap it is of particular interest because it is still roofed. The tomb is virtually intact although some parts have been reconstructed. It is of average size, 120ft (37m) long and 80ft (24m) wide with a 3ft (1m) high entrance capped by a large portal stone. Inside there are two pairs of side chambers off a central passage 22ft (6.5m) long. For safety reasons there is no access to the interior of the barrow. The tomb is known to have been opened several times, and 19th century excavations revealed the remains of up to 24 people as well as Roman pottery and a 14th century coin.