Sue Gearing finds peace and beauty in North Wiltshire's green valleys

Find peace and beauty in the many little green combes between Cold Ashton and Marshfield, North Wiltshire on this moderate circle in the very south of the Cotswolds. It's about 6.5 miles, about three hours walking. Use the map OS Explorer 155, Bristol and Bath, grid ref: 751 727. Park in Cold Ashton on the side of the road near the magnificent Old Rectory and church. Cold Ashton is a small hamlet lying just off the A420 Bristol-Chippenham Road, just east of the roundabout where the A46 comes in.

C omb the glorious verdant, quiet south-Cotswold combes, studded with wild flowers, that make the countryside around Marshfield so beautiful for walking.

En route, visit fascinating old Marshfield village with plenty of refreshment options – pubs or a cafe.

The route follows the Limestone Link for some of the way, dropping into picturesque St Catherine's valley. The going is on footpaths and tracks and a quiet country lane but expect mud at one section after leaving Marshfield.

There are two steep hills, otherwise it is gentle and undulating. There are stiles, so an agile dog should be OK. It's a great circle for watching out for birds, too.

There is an Open Gardens weekend in Marshfield on May 30-31, which you may like to join in, during the afternoons.

START

Go through the gate following the Limestone Link which starts here (and wends its way through to Shipham on Mendip) and down the steep hillside. Near the bottom left corner go through a gate and continue to descend, even more steeply. Look for the Limestone Link arrow on a large sycamore on the left. Cross the small stream and turn left.

1. STREAM

Follow the track with the stream on your left. Continue on through the valley.

2. KISSING GATE

Reach a metal kissing gate ahead and a line of trees by a side stream. Go through and turn right under the trees. At the end, cross left over the stream and turn sharp back on the other side of the stream. Go through a metal kissing gate and continue along the side of this beautiful combe. Try to stay on the fairly flat path, otherwise it is quite awkward walking on the side of the slope.

Continue on, cross two stiles and the track rises gently and arrives at a lane.

3. LANE

Turn left and almost immediately turn left again over a stile, still on the Limestone Link. Walk along a grassy ridge and then drop down. A stile brings you on to a crossing farm drive. Go straight across and over the stile to the left of the garage. Walk below the glorious old Cotswold farmhouse and across the field. You are now in St Catherine's Valley, following St Catherine's Brook down on your right. Go over a stile, and then a stile/footbridge/stile and on.

4. SIGNPOST

On the far side of this third field reach a footpath signpost. Stay in the field and turn left up the hedge line. This is one of the two steep hills. Maintain direction when the hedge ends and continue all the way up to a stile in the very top hedge. Take time to look back over the valley and down on the right you can see Monkswood Reservoir. Head across the field to the far left corner. Cross a stile on to a crossing track.

5. TRACK

Go across, up steps and a stile brings you into a field. Follow the right hedge with the valley plunging down on your right; you are looking down on yet another beautiful combe. Just short of the curved corner go right through the hedge over a stile and continue ahead following the right hedge. Bend left with the field and reach a corner. Here, an arrow directs you left, staying in the field and climbing up to the top corner.

6. GATE

Turn right through a metal gate. Walk ahead along the top of two fields with some different views over yet another wooded combe. In the corner, cross a stile on to a track. Turn left and follow this dry sandy track to Beek's Lane.

7. BEEK'S LANE

Turn right and follow it for more than half a mile. It is a No Through Road servicing Beek's Farm so it is very quiet. Start to see Marshfield up ahead.

8.CRICKET FIELD

Reach a T-junction and cross over into the cricket field up on windy Fuddlebrook Hill. Go along in front of the pavilion, then behind the side screen and find stone steps in the wall on the left. Cross and follow the path. There are two stiles to climb and then go left across the field to another stile. After this, go diagonally right across this large field towards Marshfield, passing close by a telegraph pole and reaching a metal gate at the top. Go through and turn right on the lane which bends round and brings you on to the main High Street in Marshfield. You are now about 1.5 hours into the walk.

9. MARSHFIELD

In Marshfield High Street there are several taverns for refreshment including the Lord Nelson, a 17th-century coaching inn, the Crown and the Catherine Wheel.

Marshfield also has an open gardens weekend on May 30 and 31, in the afternoon, so you could spend some time enjoyably looking around some of them.

If you want to look around Marshfield a little and visit the church, in which hangs a beautiful tapestry, turn right. There is a well-sited seat in the churchyard for a picnic.

To continue our circle, turn left down the High Street past a fascinating variety of 16th and 17th-century cottages and larger houses.

Pass Sweet Apples Tea Room, open 9am-4pm during the week and Saturdays, serving hot food as well as tea, coffee and light snacks.

Go by the old Marshfield toilets, which are still functioning.

Reach St Martins Lane, where you turn left, passing the Independent Chapel. Just past houses on the right, cross over into a field and follow the footpath towards Cold Ashton across to a stile in the far left corner (ignore the stile up left). Go over into the field.

There is a bull warning sign but no sign of a bull or any cattle when I came, and no sign when you exit the field. I think it was an intimidatory notice, as any farmer whose field has a right of way through it must ensure that if he does have a bull there it is under 18 months old, is of a recognised beef breed and is running with heifers.

Head straight across and another stile leads on to Green Lane track. Turn left and after a couple of minutes, turn right over a stile and head down left into the valley.

10. VALLEY

Part of the next section is marshy and can be very muddy – it has been like this for years. You will see paths through the woodland on either side that can steer you around it. Continue on following the tiny trickle of a stream on your right through the valley. Further on you need to cross to the other side of the stream. Again, there is a path through woodland which can help, or alternatively find a place where you can step across. Once you have the stream on your left continue on and cross a stile ahead. Follow the path along. Go through a gate close by the stream. You are now in an Open Access Area. As you continue, the path gradually starts to rise and moves away from the stream and you are walking along the side of the valley.

11. SIDE VALLEY

Eventually you reach an area where a deep side valley joins from the right. It's best if you are not too high up at this stage. Turn right to start to make your way up the valley and pass an old ruined barn hidden in trees up on your right. Then continue on the path up the valley – the second and last main hill of the walk. Go up and through a metal kissing gate at the top and on following the left hedge and then continue on up across the field to a signpost at the top and Hyde's Lane.

12. HYDE'S LANE

Turn left and after several minutes arrive back at Cold Ashton.

The Lord Nelson Inn, High Street, SN14 8LP. Tel: 01225 891820. The Crown, High Street SN14 8LP. Tel: 01225 891189. Not open for lunch Mon and Tues. The Catherine Wheel, High Street, SN14 8LR. Tel: 01225 892220. Sweet Apples Tea Room, High Street, SN14 8LR. Tel: 01225 891657. Please telephone before setting out to confirm opening times.