Eleven members and 2 guests had a very enjoyable 6 mile walk on another lovely sunny day starting at the Green Dragon pub in Elkstone. We turned left from the car park and walked down the lane passed Cowley Manor Hotel with its lovely grounds and lake. Continuing on the road to near the main Cheltenham road, we turned left through a gate and across 3 fields with lovely views of the surrounding countryside to reach Coberley Church. We visited the church and it was lucky one of our walkers knew a lot of history on the church and showed us the Tombs of Lord & Lady Berkley, Lady Berkley being the mother of Richard (Dick) Whittington. Lord Berkley’s beloved horse (Lombard) is buried in the church yard opposite where he himself, who had his heart cut out, is buried separately. A stone in the church wall shows the heart and a plaque states this.

We then left the church and walked on down to the village where we took a left turn near a spring and down some steps over a footbridge with a stream running well. Up from the stream we carried on across a fields, turning right to walk up the lane and all round the Coldwell Bottom valley. Stopping for refreshments we then climbed up the field to a road which leads to Birdlip. We carried on the road before turning left through a gate, taking us round the perimeter of a large field to reach Keepers Cottage. Passing in front of Keepers Cottage we carried on by a wall to the opening to Cowley Woods, where at the top we had a great view of Cowley Manor and countryside. Coming down through Cowley Woods to a track and back to the car park, where 9 of us enjoyed a very welcome drink in the Green Dragon

Group heading towards Cowley

Peaceful lake on the Cowley estate 

Church of St Giles Coberley

Walking along top of the valley

After coffee break we proceed towards Cowley Woods