Sapperton and the Golden Valley

About trip

Distance: 3 miles (4.75km) Time: 1 1/2 hours Terrain: Moderate; two steep climbs, muddy Description: This is a varied walk, reflecting both the interesting natural history and the industrial heritage of this valley. It is here the Thames and Severn Canal enters the Sapperton Tunnel, and the walk follows the old canal and its ruined locks to emerge into the superb ancient woodland of Siccaridge Wood, now a designated Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserve. The wood is best seen in spring when it is carpeted in bluebells, wild garlic and wood anemones. Ferns grow in the damp tunnel entrance, and the golden heads of marsh marigolds highlight the course of the canal. The Golden Valley is one of five valleys converging at Stroud. From Sapperton it continues through Frampton Mansell, Chalford, Brimscombe and on to Stroud. Directions: a Park on the roadside just above the church in Sapperton. Return to the junction by the telephone box. Continue ahead and take the public footpath on the right. Cross the minor road and continue to a kissing gate. b Go through the gate and head half-left downhill, past the large tree to a stile. Cross the tunnel bridge, turn right and follow the canal towpath past the Daneway Inn to the road. c Turn right then immediately left along the footpath marked ‘Wysis Way’ and walk alongside the river to the brick bridge at the western end of the walk. d Turn right over the bridge and take the middle path uphill through the wood. After 50yds (45m) take a right fork and continue to a junction with another track in a clearing. Turn left then immediately right and follow the path to the road. e Go straight across the road and head along the small valley. Ignore the path on the right leading towards the pub. When the path forks, bear right and continue down to the road. f Turn left then immediately right onto a track and enter the Bathurst Estate (accessible between 8am and 5pm only). Bear right at the fork and follow the main track through the wood. Bear left past a path leading down to a gate and continue as far as a crossing track. g Turn right downhill, continue over the next track and past a track merging from the left. Take the left fork where the track splits, cross the bridge over the river and then uphill past the house to the road. Turn right and follow the road back to the car. Places of Interest: 1 This is the western end of a tunnel which at 3817 yards (3481m) long, was the longest in Britain at the time of its completion in 1789. It is part of the Thames and Severn Canal which was built to connect the two rivers between Stroud and Lechlade. The boats were pushed through by men lying on their backs and ‘legging’ along the tunnel roof. The difficulty of maintaining the water level on the porous limestone, and competition from the Oxford Canal, led to its decline and abandonment early in the 20th century. Work is ongoing to restore much of the Stroudwater and Thames and Severn Canals – most of the route has been designated a conservation area.