Getting There
Sat Nav: GL51 0SS
Leave the M5 at Junction 11 and take the A40, signed Cheltenham, northbound 3rd exit, southbound 1st exit.
At the first roundabout take the first exit signed B4063 Churchdown. Drive past the Thistle Hotel on the right, and a short distance later you will see The Pheasant Inn on your right. The car park entrance is just after the bus stop.
Return to M5 Junction 11
Turn left out of the car park and return to the roundabout to take the 4th exit, signed A40 Gloucester and motorway.
The Pheasant Inn
Length of walk: 60-80 minutes for full route, 20 minutes for short walk.
Wellies essential in wet weather, and walking shoes or boots recommended.
Walk back to the road and cross over to the public footpath sign slightly to the left. Climb over a stile and turn right, and then go over the next stile to start walking along the side of the field with the hedge to your right. Walk to the end of this field and through the gap ahead. Keep walking in the same direction across the next field. This path is part of the Cheltenham Circular Walk.
[If you just want a short walk, then turn around here]
Keep walking to the end of the field towards the wooden bridge visible ahead. Cross over the bridge and turn half left towards the gap in the hedge in the far left corner of the field. When you approach you will see that there is a gate and a pond just before it. At this point, turn right (you're still in the same field) and walk with the hedge on your left towards the gate. Climb over the gate and head half right towards the far right corner of the field towards a stile. This is away from the more clearly trodden path. Be careful on the other side as you will meet the main road soon after. Climb the stile and go round the gate a few yards further on. Cross the road, turn right and turn left up Hayden Lane.
Opposite the driveway to a house on the right, there is a public footpath sign on the left. Go through the gate and look at the hedge to the left where, at the end and a little to the right, you will find a stile. Climb the stile into the field and follow the arrow pointing to the right, so that you're walking up the field with the hedge on your right. As the field bears round to the left, you'll see a stile to your right. Climb this and follow the path to the left through a narrow avenue of trees which leads you to yet another stile. Climb over the stile to follow the direction posted by the waymark to the right. Walk up to the end of the field to go through a gate in the corner on the right. Walk along the next field with the hedge to your left. You are now back in the field you were in previously. We saw over a dozen abandoned wasps' nests and a few uncovered shafts here, so be alert!
Follow the hedge to the end of the field and go through the grey gate with a public footpath sign on it. You are now on Hayden Green. Pass the sign on your left and walk down the road to the right, past St Michael's Cottage on the left.
At the T Junction, cross the road to a public footpath sign and go through the grey metal gate following the yellow arrow down the left of the field. There are sewage works on your left behind a hedge. When you get to the point where the hedge bends round to the left, make your way to the flood drain raised bank and then on to a grey gate. Go through the gate and walk down the field with the hedge on your right. As the field bends to the left at the bottom you will see a stone bridge that you walk over, and then immediately climb over a stile and turn left down the track. Take care here, the stream is much deeper and quicker than it looks, so keep dogs or children out of it.
Walk past the stone blocks just outside Ash Cottage and straight ahead along the metal road. Opposite Pheasant Cottage, turn right down the narrow public footpath. At the white house at the end of the path, you rejoin the road. Turn right up the road and you can see the welcoming Pheasant Inn on your right.
Facilities
Parking and tasty refreshments at the Pheasant Inn, where dogs are allowed in the bar area to the left of the main bar. Childrens' play area and outside seating too.