Oxpens to Yanworth walk from Northleach

Walk 10: OXPENS, YANWORTH, HANGMAN'S STONE with possible extension to CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA - download pdf version.

Time: 2 hours (allow further 2 hours for extension) Approx 4 miles.
OS Pathfinder Map 01/11 Grid ref# 088 153

The route takes you through an estate village and over some high open farmland with excellent views of the Cotswold countryside.

Although this walk could start from the Market Place it would be preferable to go by car approx !3 miles on the old A40 road towards Cheltenham to a large parking area on the left just before the junction with the road from Cirencester, thus avoiding a tedious 3/4 miles of road walking.

Oxpens Farm Sign

From the parking area, walk to the road junction and turn left. Ignoring the footpath sign to the right continue until reaching the tarmaced road to Oxpens Farm on the right.

Follow this to the farm and then, by keeping to the left, do not go through the main farm buildings but follow the road around and after the last cottage on the right go through a gateway into a field. Walk through this and two further fields Yanworth Mill with woodland on your right, full of bluebells in late spring, until reaching a minor road. Turn right downhill, ignoring the turning to the left, until the road bends right at the bottom. Do not take the first footpath on the left but go straight ahead through the gate to walk with a wall on your left and the River Coln below. Follow this path along the field edges passing through a small Nature Reserve until a gate is reached leading on to a minor road near Yanworth Mill.

Note: The 2 hour extension to this walk can be made here by turning left over the Coln and then immediately right through a gateway and along a 1 ½ mile driveway to the Roman Villa, returning via the road to Yanworth to rejoin the main route at the village itself.

To continue the walk: Turn right up the road to go right again at a T-junction and continue on through the village of Yanworth. Stowell Park can be seen across the valley to the right and opposite the village hall you will see Yanworth Village sign - Commissioned by Lord Vestey to represent the Stowell Park Esate and family crest. (Tenurde is the medieval name for Yanworth).
Yanworth Cottages	Yanworth Village Sign
When the road bends to the right down the hill go straight ahead through a small kissing gate and line of trees to join a metalled road past two rows of houses to the small Church. Around the back you can find, in the church wall, what are reputed to be marks left by Cromwell's cannon balls. Continue left through the farm yard and then, bearing right, follow the road steeply down the hill. There are oak trees on the left and at the bottom of the hill there is a stone sheep-wash. Wind up the hillside road beside a walled coppice to your right and, where the wall ends, immediately leave the road and take a gate on the left into a small green area with an ash tree in the centre.
Yanworth Parish Church
Cross diagonally to an enclosed path with a wall on the left and a fence on the right (often overgrown). At the end of the path near some large farm buildings turn left. Continue walking away from the farm with a wall on your left for about 100 yards. At the field corner turn left and, keeping the trees and fence on the left all the way, walk up to and under the electric power lines to eventually reach a gate on the left. Go through and then immediately right through another gate. On the right is Hangman's Stone; a large stone with a hole in it. Readers are invited to imagine where this name comes from since there are a variety of macabre local explanations!
Turn right on to a track with a communications mast on the left to reach a stone stile beside a gate on to a road. Turn left to return to the parking area and take the old A40 back to the Market Place. Fudge The Dog! Our 12 year old Springer/Collie cross taking a break at Yanworth Church. Fudge says: That was fun - watch this space to see our next walk! Web editors note: This is a delightful walk with plenty of views and points of interest. Hilly in parts, but with access to stream water for thirsty dogs. Quite a bit of the walk is on the road so look out for cars on sharp bends. No tearooms or pubs en route so you might want to take a flask of tea and some biscuits for sustenance on the way!

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