Picture Index to Book One Quick Link 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 About the "Favourite Walks" series LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES WITH INFO ABOUT PLACES ON OR NEAR THIS WALK Brimscombe Brimscombe Port a potted history of the place where cargoes were transferred from the Severn Trows to the narrow boats that could go cross country to the Thames. Plans are afoot to restore the port by 2008. Toadsmoor Valley a personal story A Year in Frith Wood a fascinating gallery We would be delighted to receive your best digital photos for possible addition to this page - please send them to pics (at) southcotswoldramblers.org.uk		southcotswoldramblers.org.uk/books Walk 8 Brimscombe, Toadsmoor Valley, Eastcombe and Brownshill
		This 5 mile walk heads up the secretive Toadsmoor Valley, passing through the ancient beech woods (one or two muddy spots likely) and by atmospheric Toadsmoor Pond. Going gradually upwards, it emerges from the woods and climbs more steeply to Eastcombe, with excellent views over the area. At the top of the hill the walk passes through a small part of Bussage to reach Frith Wood. After a pleasant section across the Pleasure Grounds the route descends through Brownshill with its older cottages and past a convent. The last section downhill is through open grassland and has wide views over the Golden Valley to Rodborough Common. Start point large layby at Brimscombe near King and Castle see map and Area Map Bus Timetable No 54 and 54A to Brimscombe from Stroud
		Section A - Towards Toadsmoor Woods
		Section A - Take the stile up on the left
		Section B - Entering the woods at wild garlic time
		Section B - One of the tiny streams that we cross
		Section B - Dramatic beechwoods
		Section B - Wild garlic in profusion (May 8)
		Section B - A charming cottage with delightful garden
		Section B - The ford just before Toadsmoor Pond
		Section C - Toadsmoor Pond - when does a pond become a lake?
		Section C - Keepers Cottage gardens with Toadsmoor Pond in the distance
		Section C - The less formal part of the garden, with the stream running through
		Section D - At the gorge turn right to climb up through Eastcombe
		Section E - have fun finding a route through Frith Wood - seen here with early bluebells on May 8th
		Section E - the lovely gardens around St Raphael's Convent
		Section E - passing the pond on the way down through the meadow. Across the valley can be seen Minchinhampton Common
		Section E - the lower part is a wildlife haven of unimproved grassland with amazing wildflowers