“Secret” walks from Bibury: to Barnsley past a Georgian mansion

West front of Barnsley Park courtesy of Philip Halling

One of the great pleasures of this part of the Cotswolds is the wonderful walks. However, some are not as well-known as they deserve to be, such as this walk to Barnsley that takes you through an impressively beautiful estate…

You can go on some really fantastic walks from Bibury and we often get asked by campers to recommend some. I wondered whether you could find these by googling ‘Bibury walks’. But, no, only one crops up - the wonderful walk from Bibury to Coln St Aldwyn down the Coln valley.

Other walks, just as wonderful in their own ways, are effectively Bibury’s best-kept secret. Here’s one, the first of a few that I will describe…

To Barnsley via Barnsley Park

I’m always slightly amazed when going on this walk - amazed that you are allowed to climb over the hugely high stone wall (using the biggest stile I’ve ever seen) that circles Barnsley Park, and then stroll past the gardens before following the path through the field to leave the property near the front drive. It’s private property - so stick to the footpath! - but crossed, right down the middle, by a public right of way.

The house itself is an extraordinarily beautiful Georgian mansion and you get great views of it via the footpath, which itself runs alongside a haha as it circles the house. It’s a fine example of a haha, by the way (pointed out as I wanted an excuse to repeat the word ‘haha’).

Anyhow, here’s how you get there from Bibury Camping.

Turn right out of the farm entrance and walk towards Ablington. You will soon arrive at the right turning into the centre of Ablington. If you look to your left you will see a bridleway called Hay Lane climbing up the valley side to link with the road to Foss Cross. Take this.

Keep going in the same direction when you reach the road and cross it into the field that sits opposite the barn conversion on the corner. Continue in the same direction between fields until you get to a wood, which you enter (the entrance is not that obvious) and walk through until you meet the wall of the estate.

At this point follow the stone wall around to your right. After a few minutes walk you’ll see the world’s tallest stone stile on your left. Climb over it, walk through the field towards the buildings and then follow the stiles and footpath signs through the property and out onto the road (the last bit of footpath runs parallel to the entrance drive).

You’re now almost in Barnsley. I would then cross the road to pick up a footpath that takes you around the back of the village. If you want to end up at the local pub turn right off the footpath, through the churchyard. You will find yourself on the main road through Barnsley where you can have a pint and something to eat at The Village Pub. There’s also a very posh hotel in Barnsley with a famous garden, Barnsley House (names of hostelries are not very imaginative here).

To get back to Bibury either retrace your steps or find the lane that runs behind the pub where you should turn right, taking you eastwards in the general direction of Bibury. Follow the road signs back. You will walk on small, quiet back roads that have some lovely spots and views along the way.

Or you could get the bus back if you time it right - you’ve probably earned it! It’s just over 3 miles via road to Barnsley so my guess is that this is about a 3.5 mile walk each way.