Getting There
Sat Nav: GL4 8JY
Northbound
Leave the M5 at Junction 11A and keep in the left hand lane, signed Gloucester.
Continue onto the A417 and at the 1st roundabout take the 3rd exit to return along the A417, signed Bristol M5, Cirencester.
Southbound
Leave the M5 at Junction 11A and continue forward to merge with the A417.
Get into lane for the A417 Cirencester/Gloucester to follow signs to A417 Cirencester.
North and Southbound
At the roundabout continue straight, signed Crickley Hill Country Park, A417 Stow on the Wold.
Take 1st left, signed Crickley Hill Country Park and Leckhampton.
Take next left at brown sign to enter Crickley Hill Country Park.
The car parks are at the end of the lane.
Return to M5 Junction 11a
Leave the car park and turn right at the end of the lane.
At the T-junction, turn right signed A417 Cirencester. Stay in the right hand lane, signed Cheltenham/Gloucester to take 2nd exit A5/A417 signed Cheltenham Central.
Follow signs to rejoin M5, Southbound signed Bristol M5 and 3rd exit at roundabout, Northbound signed Midlands M5.
Crickley Hill Country Park
Length of walk: between 30 and 60 minutes on trails.
There are signed routes here for five walks of varying lengths, with descriptions and colour codes clearly displayed on the information board. All walks start at the visitor centre.
The Family Trail (orange) is 0.5miles, has no stiles, and is fairly buggy-friendly.
There are three 40 minute / 0.75 walks – Hill Fort Trail, Scrubs Trail and the Scarpe Trail. The Park Trail is longer at 1 mile / 60 minutes, although there is a short cut.
This is a perfect dog walking spot, and is obviously popular as we didn't see a single car in the car park without a canine passenger.
All the trails are very clearly signed and easy to follow, the main difference between them being the amount of shade provided in summer, and mud in wet weather.
We were there on a baking hot day, and chose the Family Trail. The path starts through a buttercup meadow with an Iron Age viewpoint, and then runs through cooling glades of beech and oak.
In wet weather, the Hill Fort Trail looked as if it would be firmer, although wellies or boots would be a good idea for all the walks.
At the start of the trails there's a viewpoint, with the Malvern Hills, Gloucester Cathedral and the Black Mountains clearly visible on a clear day.
Facilities
Free parking, WC, visitor centre and info board, free dog poo bags in car park, dog poo bins throughout park, dog water bowls, picnic area.
Useful Links
Crickley Hill Country Park
Visit website
This is OUR favourite walk
Tommy (ENRYB Christmas Party JW)
Visit Tommy's website
Cullin, from Brockworth
Branston, from Cheltenham