Twenty four ramblers set out from the old Five Mile Inn for an 8-mile-long circular Walk. The weather was cold and sunny after the previous day’s torrential downpour. They went under the busy A417 trunk road and headed down Hailey Hill to the picturesque village of Duntisbourne Abbotts. After visiting the church of St Peter, they walked alongside the River Dunt to reach Duntisbourne Leer (so called because the hamlet once belonged to the Abbey of Lyre in Normandy). Leaving the river below them the group went down the quiet Lane, past Nutbeam Farm, to Middle Duntisbourne.

From here they continued South-east along the valley to Duntisbourne Rouse (Rouse being a family name derived from the Lords of the Manor). After having a coffee break in the Saxon Church of St Michael, they crossed the river and went up the hill towards Dartley Bottom.

Going under the A417 again they followed the Macmillan way to Woodmancote (a unique village with no church). After lunch they left the village along a farm track towards Cotswold Park. The walkers used a diverted footpath to find the lane. They went down a steep hill and then up a muddy track back to the old Five Mile House.

The group outside Duntisbourne Abbots church

Middle Duntisbourne

Near Middle Duntisbourne

The Dunt Valley

On the Macmillan Way

Horses on the Macmillan Way