March 2nd Sapperton

Spring was in the air on 2nd March 2025 when 16 ramblers set off from the picturesque village of Sapperton along the south western slopes of the Sapperton valley.

We followed the Macmillan Way to Pinbury Park where we enjoyed some of the best views of the valley. Here we crossed the river Frome on a footbridge built by the Cirencester Ramblers Footpath Team and scrambled up a steep slope, walking partly on the banks and in the bed of a small brook. Keeping left we walked along the north-eastern side of Sapperton valley, passing through wonderful woods with massive beech and pine trees, deep green mossy tree trunks and fern covered banks. There were quite a few fallen trees and muddy stretches which tested our agility.

We had our lunch break on Daneway Bank – an internationally renowned breeding site for the rare ‘large blue’ butterfly – enjoying the marvellous views of Sapperton across the valley.

We then walked through Siccaridge Wood, an ancient woodland that is being carefully managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, before dropping down a steep slope to the disused Thames & Severn Canal. Walking between the former canal and the river Frome we passed a number of surprisingly deep locks before we emerged at the Daneway Inn.

We continued along the canal and marvelled at the amazing entrance to the Sapperton tunnel, once the longest canal tunnel in Britain, before tackling the steep climb back up to Sapperton where we finished this lovely walk.

This was the first walk I led and I was glad that the group had enjoyed this walk.

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