Places features

BBC Points West's Amanda Parr with Little Jim

Painswick Slad farm to churchyard

Starting here and walking northwards along the B4070 you will see on the left Worgan’s Wood. A short distance further round the corner, you enter Slad village, passing the old Post office and the more famous Woolpack Inn on the right. 

It's unlikely you’ve earned your drink yet, so pass the pub and on the left you’ll see the churchyard where Laurie Lee himself is buried.

The inscription at the foot of his stone reads: 'He lies in the valley he loved'. Laurie's wish to be buried between the church and the Woolpack, his local, was acceded to.

Here you have a choice – either to take the loop back towards the village or for the more adventurous stay left and head out of the village along the old road to Bisley until find a bridleway on your right.

Elcombe to Swifts Hill

This track should lead you along the edge of Redding Wood and on to Knapp Lane passing through Elcombe. 

On your left is Swifts Hill Nature Reserve – again an optional opportunity here to climb to the summit - this is one of the county’s most important wildflower habitats with over 130 plant species including orchids. 

Laurie Lee

These wildflowers are home to several butterfly species, including the marbled white and common blue. If you care to raise your head away from the flora and fauna – take in the magnificent views over the Slad Valley and on to Stroud from the summit of Swifts Hill.

"For weeks on end the trees moved in the wind with a dry roaring that seemed a natural utterance of the landscape." (Cider with Rosie – Laurie Lee)

Knapp Slad to Painswick Slad farm

Return to the road if you climbed the hill and continue south-westwards passing Knapp Farm on your right. 

Soon after, another optional shortcut would be to take the track on your right which should take you over the weir before returning you to the B4070. 

For those that wish to stay on the road, it will eventually curve you back onto the B4070 – take the northbound, right option and soon you will return to where you started.