A perfect summer day in Amberley…
Image by Holly Farrier Photography
It’s a beautiful summer morning in the Cotswold village of Amberley. The sun has risen over the hill and the Woodchester valley is a sea of green.
You’re ready for breakfast so you nip down to Nailsworth for a coffee and pastry at Willow&co. You have a quick browse around the shops calling in at Domestic Science, Williams Kitchen and Hobbs House Bakery where you pick up some tasty treats for lunch. With a bit more time to spare you nip into a few charity shops and pick up a picnic blanket.
Back at home you find the late sleepers slowly waking up to toast and home made marmalade. With a big pot of coffee you sit outside on the front bench to read the paper and listen to the birds chirping. The village is coming to life. Walkers pass by the front gate and someone is pruning sweet peas in the allotment.
The sun is warming up so you take a shower and get ready for a long walk. If it’s windy enough you want to do some kite flying. You pack the picnic bag - local cheese, salami and pickles from Williams and a loaf of fresh bread from Hobbs,
Heading up on to the common with your picnic and kite you say hello to the cows congregating in the shade.
Photographs by Katie
You take a nice long walk along one edge of the common with the Nailsworth valley on your left, passing the Bear inn and the dog Christmas tree (which is adorned with messages of love to local dogs over the festive period). Enjoying the views down the steep slope to the valley, and the natural peaks and troughs of the common, you make your way all the way to Rodborough Fort, looping round it to admire the view of Stroud below, before heading back towards Winstone’s Ice cream factory.
Finding a good spot you lay out a blanket and set up your kite. Depending on the wind, flying the kite is endless fun, but once you’ve had enough you dig into your picnic and flop back on your blanket to bask in the sun. Wild orchids, Cowslips and buttercups are dotted through the long grass which waves softly in the wind. You lie back and look out for rare butterflies. The Large Blue Butterfly was recently reintroduced here after being globally endangered.
After lunch you wander back over the common to the reservoir and treat yourself to a Winstones from the little ice cream van thats usually parked there. The classic vanilla with a flake is the best. Many locals love to debate the flavour, with runners up being butterscotch and mint choc chip. The Ice Cream shop has been here since 1925 and is a local treasure.
Photographs by Katie
You slowly meander back along the Chalford valley edge of the common. You go as far as Minchinhampton and stop in at the butchers, Taylor & Sons to pick up something for a roast tomorrow. Admiring the beautiful village square you decide to grab a swift pint at The Crown inn.
The destination for this evening is now clear, as the day starts to wind down you walk home, feet suitably tired after exploring the far reaches of the common, and drop off your things. After a little rest and another cup of tea you head up the road to the Black Horse Pub where in the garden you enjoy the best sunset views out across the valleys and beyond to May Hill. The sky is streaked with pink, orange and gold. You have dinner in the pub and see where the night takes you.
Perhaps you’ll end up at a gig down the Prince Albert, or down at the Brewery if theres something on (you can always call a cab to take you home!).
However its most likely that after a long day of fresh air you will be happiest retreating to the cottage terrace to watch the stars from the hammock. After a refreshing candlelit bath its time for bed, a book and the glinting lights of the valley twinkling outside the window - a perfect day!
Photograph by Holly Farrier Photography
Words by Katie
