South Cerney

Disused railway bridge near South Cerney

En route for Gloucester, I made a slight diversion to explore South Cerney and the Cotswold Water Park. I had been past many times, seen the signposts - now for the walk!

The walk begins on the northern edge of the sprawling village of South Cerney. You quickly join a raised path which skirts the village to the east, leaving it at the former railway bridge shown above. A short way further on you join the banks of the former Thames and Severn Canal. I walked along another section of this recently at Sapperton and described its story in that post.

The canal-side path is unique in having a large number of trees. The effect is quite melancholy.



After following the path for a while you come on a defunct lock and a ruined lock-keeper's cottage.



After crossing a road, you can continue along the canal (now more open) or walk beside one of the many lakes. I chose the latter option, but it was very wet underfoot and only coots were in sight.

Rejoining the canal, you come on a splendid round house, apparently dating from the 18th century, when it was used by lock keepers and maintenance engineers. The gothic doors and windows were delightful.


At this point you enter the much smaller village of Cerney Wick, and cross some fields by another lake to join a path along the line of the former railway. As you get closer to South Cerney you pass between weather-boarded housing developments bordering further lakes. There is a strong New England flavour to the design of the houses: quite attractive, but also rather incongruous.

On reaching South Cerney you briefly walk along the wonderfully named Bow Wow Lane, with a stream on either side to return to Silver Street where the walk began.

I diverted here to see the church with its fine Norman tower and doorway.



From: 50 walks in Gloucestershire (AA).

Map: Explorer 179 (Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud).

Conditions: wet underfoot, cloudy, drizzle, quite cold.

Distance: 5 miles.

Rating: three stars. Flat (obviously), wet, an odd combination of abandoned transport systems and modern housing developments.