High on our list of idyllic places to visit in the Stroud Valleys has to be the Coaley Peak view point. Situated just 4 miles away from Stroud and Junction 13 of the M5 motorway, the area is renowned for being a spectacular viewpoint which is steeped in history http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/reserves/coaley-peak. The site nestled on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment and includes the excavated Neolithic burial site Nympsfield Long Barrow.

From the car park we just love the magnificent panoramic views out towards the Severn Estuary, the Forest of Dean and onwards towards Wales. At the weekend and on fine clear days, it is always a popular place for families and dog walkers to go for a walk. There are plenty of picnic benches and very often a local Winstone’s Ice Cream van can be found parked up serving delicious local treats.

The Cotswold Way National Trail footpath passes through the area. If you follow the undulating path to the left from the car park this will take you towards the Village of Uley and for a longer walk onwards to Dursley.  Alternatively a right turn will take you into Penn Woods where there are numerous woodland trails to follow.

Other places to visit whilst you are at Coaley Peak include the National Trust property Woodchester Park Mansion which is just across the road or the historical long barrow which is owned by English Heritage called Hetty Pegler’s Tump.

The barrow as seen today is largely the result of the excavation and reconstruction undertaken by Dr John Thurnham in 1854 and subsequent repairs in 1871, 1891 and 1906.

Local village pubs which we recommend for lunch and a drink are the Rose & Crown in Nympsfield village less than a mile away of the Crown at Uley which is just under 3 miles away.