This is a level circle with just two easy hills, big skies and open vistas along the edge of the Severn estuary in South Gloucestershire. It starts from a great pub at Oldbury-on-Severn. Near the end, call in at the church on a hill on the edge of Oldbury which commands great views across to Wales. It's about six miles, about three hours walking. Use the map OS Explorer 167, Thornbury, Dursley & Yate, ref: 601 924. Park at the Anchor Inn, Oldbury-on-Severn. Oldbury is a small village near the Severn, west of Thornbury. Go to Thornbury and follow the road signed to Oldbury. The pub has given permission for walkers to use the spacious car park opposite.

P eaceful views of the Severn Estuary and the two bridges as you walk along the raised grassy bank on the Severn Way are a highlight of this circle in South Gloucestershire.

Starting at a popular pub in Oldbury- on-Severn we head down Oldbury Pill and south along the edge of the estuary before turning inland to the small village of Littleton- upon-Severn with another beautiful pub.

Then quiet lanes and old tracks take us back via the landmark church on a hill near Oldbury.

Walking is mainly good underfoot except for one section on a bridleway track which is uneven and could be muddy after rain.

The ramble has two hills and there is a mixture of gates and stiles.

START

From the car park opposite the Anchor, turn right and shortly, just before the first lane, take the footpath on the right up a Tarmac drive. Go up past stabling and on towards the estuary. Oldbury Pill is over on your right.

You are on the Severn Way, one of the longest waymarked walking trails in Britain, from mid-Wales to the sea, a walking distance of about 210 miles.

When the stony track bends left, continue straight on along a grassy track. Go through a gate and now you can see the pill more clearly. Bend round left with the hedge and then go up on to the grassy flood bank. The sailing club boats are sheltering at the mouth of the Pill.

Continue along with great views across the estuary and towards the Severn bridges, keeping the water on your right.

Behind you is Oldbury power station, a twin reactor nuclear power station which has been operating since 1967 and is due for decommissioning this year.

1. ESTUARY

No need to look at the directions now for another 1.25 miles. Just continue along the bank in the open getting closer to the bridges all the time, enjoying the bird life, the views and hopefully the sun. Go through one or two gates on the way and then pass a small industrial estate behind a hedge on the left and the path reaches a sluice and signpost. Go through the gate ahead.

2. SIGNPOST

Turn left down to a gate below leading on to the end of a quiet lane. Follow it along inland for three quarters of a mile. Take the first turning right towards Elberton and Alveston. Start to approach Littleton-upon-Severn village.

3. VILLAGE

Pass the White Hart, a picturesque white-washed Young's pub with great atmosphere and good food set in a large garden. Carry on along the lane through Littleton, ignoring side turns. Bend left by the old school.

4. FARM

Continue to a large farm on the right and opposite the farm sign, cross left over a stile and follow the footpath straight ahead along the left hedge. Go through two kissing gates in the corner– one ahead of you, and one then on the left – and bear diagonally right down the middle of the field to a sign and stile on the far side. This leads on to a lane.

Cross and go over the stile opposite. Follow the right hedge straight on. Ahead of you is Sacks Hill.

Begin gently to climb and pass a stile on the right. A yard or two past this, turn left across the field. The path may not be well used. You are walking along the very lowest slopes of the hill.

5. HILL

There are great views across the estuary and it could be a good place for a picnic or just a rest. In the far corner, cross a stile by a gate and turn right on the lane.

The lane takes you up hill – more or less the only ascent of the walk. At a bend, turn left on an old thoroughfare/bridleway marked on the map as Stock Lane.

6. STOCK LANE

This is a beautiful grassy flat route along a ridge giving good views left and then right. Start to see the hilltop church near Oldbury-on-Severn. Continue all the way to a lane, cross and carry on along the track opposite. This is the least pleasant part of the walk – a hedged bridleway which is rutted and after rain may be muddy. It improves somewhat and now start to look for a stile on the left in the hedge.

7. STILE

At the stile you can see ahead the church where you are heading. Cross the stile and go ahead in the field following the left hedge.

Cross another stile and continue as before. In the far corner go out on to a lane. Turn left and shortly go sharp right up a grassy path and then up steps towards the church.

8. CHURCH

On the way up, pass a metal kissing gate in the hedge on the left. This is where our circle continues.

To visit the church, go through the gate ahead and up steps to the top and turn left round the edge of the church to the main door. There is a well sited seat from which you can view the estuary and surrounding countryside.

The church used to be surrounded by splendid elms which sadly were lost to Dutch Elm Disease.

The church is dedicated to Arilda, a local saint from Saxon times. She was reported to have worked many miracles, but was martyred at nearby Kington and her body was removed to the abbey of Gloucester.

To continue, go back down and through the kissing gate into the field. Go ahead now through two fields with the hedge on your left. In the far corner, cross on to a lane.

9. WESTMARSH LANE

Turn right and follow this back to a junction in Oldbury-on-Severn. Turn left again back to the Anchor.

The Anchor Inn, Oldbury-on-Severn, Bristol BS35 1QA. Tel: 01454 413331. The White Hart, Littleton-upon-Severn, Bristol BS35 1NR. Tel: 01454 412275. Please call to confirm opening times before setting out.