View Bristol and the surrounding landscape from this glorious short circle from Dundry village, just outside Bristol, taking in some very picturesque countryside.

It's about 4.75 miles/two hours walking. Use the map OS Explorer 154, Bristol West and Portishead ref: 555 667. Park in Dundry village, which is just south of Bristol and reached from the A38 near Barrow Tanks. Look for signs for the free parking lay-by quite near the church and pub, on a bend.

Sue Gearing discovers peace quiet and some glorious countryside all within a stone's throw of the city of Bristol

T he high land a stone's throw to the south of Bristol topped by the magnificent tower of Dundry church shelters some glorious countryside.

This circle shows how this old hilltop village still manages to cling on to its separate status and character despite urban encroachment.

There are memorable city views and panoramas over the quiet rolling fields and across Chew Valley Lake.

It's up and down with no major hills but several steady uphill stretches and many stiles. Expect to hear the song of skylarks.

The going is on footpaths and tracks including the Community Forest Path and the Samaritans Way, across country, passing through picturesque East Dundry.

Start or finish your walk with refreshment at the Dundry Inn, which serves food all day.

START

The name Dundry means "the hill that is dry" from the Old English dun and dryge. The origins of Dundry village lie in its stone. The yellow oolitic sandstone quarried here was used for Cardiff Castle, a fort built by the Romans in defence against the Anglo-Saxons. The stone was commonly used in Medieval Bristol, for example at St Mary Redcliffe. A large cube of stone still stands in the churchyard, usually considered to be an old-fashioned advertisement for Dundry stone.

Turn towards the village and the beautiful church of St Michael. The four stage tower was erected by the Society of Merchant Venturers in Bristol to be a significant landmark.

Turn down left on the lane at the side of the church and at the bend turn right along a quiet No Through route giving amazing views across Bristol and the Severn Estuary. You are now following the Community Forest Path.

This is a 46-mile recreational route around Bristol designed to get people out into the countryside. On a clear day you should be able to see Clifton Suspension Bridge and both Severn crossings.

1. STILE

At the end of the Tarmac go over the rudimentary railing stile at the side of the gate and carry on passing a farm. Cross a stile and maintain direction in the field along the left hedge. There is a bit of a taint of urbanisation along here, but fortunately it doesn't last for long. Cross a stile in the corner and keep on, now with the hedge on your right. Near the end of the field go right through an opening and then left along to the nearby corner and a gate onto a lane. Turn right up the lane to a junction.

Turn left. Follow this road to the main road.

2. MAIN ROAD

Go straight over on East Dundry Lane. After about three minutes cross right over a stile into a field.

Turn left along the top of the field getting fine views over a pretty green valley and far beyond. This is where the feel of real country starts.

Cross a stile ahead and continue along the top. Near the end, at the start of the trees on the right, drop down sharp right to a lower track and turn left in the same direction as before, passing above a cottage. Come out onto a track.

3. HOUSE

Turn right bending round to an attractive house below. Go straight on through the parking area. Walk ahead across the grass and cross a metal stile marked with the Community Path sign. Go straight through the field and cross a barrier by the side of a wooden gate. Carry on and, just past garages, go through the metal gate on the right and down the field to a stile below. Once over, turn left up the lane to a bend and junction in East Dundry.

4. EAST DUNDRY

Go straight over on the Walnut Farm drive. Bend round right to a parking area and turn left and cross a marked stile at the end of a leylandii hedge. At the end of the short path cross over on to the farm track. Follow it down and through a gate (usually open). Shortly, as the track bends right, leave it and go straight ahead in the field walking below some large intensive farming sheds. Go on into the next field and continue across but bear to the right so you are walking through the middle of the field. Reach a stile in the hedge (ignoring a stile on the right) about a third of the way above the far right corner. Then cross a small field and another stile brings you on to a lane.

5. LANE

Turn down the lane and at the side of the first cottage go right over a marked stile and drop down the field. Tucked away in the bottom right corner, find a small footbridge and stile

After this go straight on up past sheds to a track/lane. Turn left uphill and reach a junction with a lane. Turn right.

6. YEW TREE FARM

I took the rural route through fields, but if you wish you can simply stay on the lane going uphill until you reach a galvanised gate on the right and follow from "Viewpoint". So for the country route, past beautiful Yew Tree Farm, take the stile on the right. Continue on and over a stile ahead by sheds. Now follow a grassy track.

7. FOOTBRIDGE

It bends down to a footbridge over a small stream by an old pollarded oak. Climb straight up the field on the other side to a gate at the top. Turn left in the field climbing, and gradually bear over to the right hedge to another gate and plank bridge. Once through, turn left up the field and aim for a visible opening by a holly tree in the middle of the hedgeline up ahead. Go straight across the next field to a stile/barrier. Over on the right you can again see East Dundry. Go through two galvanised gates together and turn left along the hedge all the way to another gate onto a lane.

8. VIEWPOINT

If you chose the lane route this is where you join up – just continue on the lane.

This is a spectacular vantage point looking cross Chew Valley Lake and Somerset. You have now joined the Samaritans Way. This is a 103-mile route devised by Bristol Ramblers to raise funds for the Samaritans. From the Avon Gorge, the walk takes in Chew Valley, Mendip, the Poldens, Quantocks and Brendon Hills, the Somerset Levels and Exmoor.

Turn right on the lane ( back on yourself if coming from the field). Soon reach a gate on the left into a field. Go across and through a gate and now maintain direction through three fields along the right hedge until you reach the Chew Magna- Bristol road.

Cross with care and turn right for a few yards and go left over a stile still following the SW. Follow the right hedge going through into the next field and curve right with the hedge to head directly towards a radio mast.

9. MAST

Cross a stile to the left of the mast and go along a path by the compound. Go ahead over a stile and straight on in the field. Dundry church tower is ahead. Negotiate another gate and continue in the field. A stile at the end leads onto the road. Go straight over in Church Road and back to the village to the Inn and church.

The Dundry Inn, Church Road, Dundry BS41 8LH. Tel: 0117 964 1722. The inn has been closed for refurbishment since March 30 but was due to reopen yesterday (April 3). Please call to confirm before setting out. Opening times: Monday-Saturday, 11.30am-11.30pm; Sunday, noon-11pm.

The Rose and Crown at Nympsfield, which closed earlier this year and was mentioned in the walk published on March 21, has reopened under new licensee Allison Neave. Tel: 01453 860240.