As part of the evolving plan to walk from Shoeburyness to Inverness we continue to plug gaps, this being one of the last required. Having walked The Thames Path, The Severn-Thames path and Offa's Dyke there remained a gap between where we finished the Severn-Thames Path and the start of Offa's Dyke in Chepstow (though in truth we walked North to South when we did it).
Day 1 Photos
Stonehouse to Upper Framilode 6.5 miles
We caught a bus to Grays station then worked our way to Paddington where we caught the train to Stonehouse. On arrival at Stonehouse we still had an hour to wait for the bus to Upper Framilode, consequently we decided to walk rather than wait. We took a slightly different route from when we walked the Severn-Thames Path, though much of it was a repeat. It didn't take much longer to walk than it would have done had we waited. We stayed in the Ship Inn.
Day 2 Photos
Upper Framilode to Berkeley 12.5 miles
There was no breakfast to be had at the Inn so a couple of miles walking brought us to the Ley Bistro in Frampton on Severn.
From here we joined the Severn Way (SW) at Splatt Bridge and followed the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal Southwest. At Purton the canal runs adjacent to the River Severn. In the early part of the 20th century it was thought the Severn would erode the banks of the canal. Consequently, over a number of decades, ships were run aground at high tide. This created the Purton ship graveyard which now defends the canal from erosion.
The graveyard is well worth exploring, but the ground can be very wet, with deep soft silt.
Our next accommodation was in Berkeley, consequently we left the SW at Sharpness and followed local paths into Berkeley where we stayed at the Malt House Hotel.
Day 3 Photos
Berkeley to Oldbury on Severn 9.5 miles
Today the weather looked threatening so rather than walking the very exposed SW we decided to go through Ham then take the excellent ridgewalk through Whitcliff Deer Park. We saw no deer. The weather did indeed turn foul with strong gusts and driving hail. Fortunately we could shelter behind large Oaks and stands of evergreen Holm Oak.
Ideally at the end of the ridge we would have walked stright through Cat Grove, sadly it was marked private, though it did look as if many people walked through. We went via Wycliff Farm and then Newpark Farm. I had planned to take the public footpath through the farm down to Woodend Lane. However, the landowners seemed keen to direct folk via permissive paths to join footpaths by Roundhouse Wood. To be accommodating we did this, but in future I would not as in places the ground was horrendous underfoot.
Hill is a pleasant hamlet with a sheltered bus stop, useful for the eating of snacks. From here we took local paths Beggarsbush Lane and then Stoneyard Lane which brought us in to Oldbury Naite. To avoid road walking we took paths to the West side of the village to reach Oldbury on Severn. In poor weather I would strongly suggest walking the road. Stiles and bridges were very poorly maintained, indeed slippery and dangerous.
Here we stayed at the Anchor Inn on the South side of Oldbury Pill. Ou best accommodation of the trip.
Day 4 Photos
Oldbury to Chepstow 9.9 miles
Best weather so far, positively warm, so back to the SW/Jubilee Way. This section was dry underfoot with excellent views across the river. At the M48 we left the SW to cross the Severn-Wye bridge that carries the M48 to cross South of Chepstow. This 2 mile section of bridge is very popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. It affords good views down river to the Prince of Wales Bridge (carries the M4).
Once across the bridge you can follow the Wales Coast Path all the way to Chepstow Castle and accommodation at The Three Tunns. No evening meal to be had here, but there are many eateries nearby.
Day 5
Our train from Chepstow to Newport was cancelled, so this threated our connection from Newport to Paddington with booked seats. Fortunately we managed to catch an earlier train, so did not miss the connection.