Walk 7 - The Old Chancel at Leigh

A 2.5 mile walk

Starting from the main entrance to the High Road recreation field, turn left and walk down the High Road with the river on your right. When you reach the recycling bins (the map starts at this point), cross High Bridge and you will see a pathway sign hidden in the corner of this second patch of asphalt. Follow this through the trees and over the stile. Go straight over the field; it is slightly raised here, then turn left along the brook and right over the bridge and stile. Go diagonally left to the bridge over Deny Brook flanked by two large plankstones.

Continue with the hedge on your right and cross the double stile in the corner of this field. Follow the right hedge of the field around the perimeter to the corner gate (or cross the field diagonally). Climb the gate (normally locked) and follow the right hand hedge to the next gate. Again, climb the gate, as the fastening is hard to open, and even harder to shut! Cross field slightly to the right and diagonally towards the third gate (locked) Climb the gate and cross the next field to the opposite stile a few yards ahead

This brings you to the Old Chancel on the original site of the 13th century All Saints, Leigh. In 1896 the main body of the church and the lower were moved, stone by stone, to their present site in Swan Lane due to flooding. The churchyard is still open for burial and is maintained by Leigh Parish Council. Pass to the right of the Chancel and go through the gate, by the bench.

Follow the right edge of the field - over the rickety stile (watch out for brambles). Cross the field, slightly left of middle, and head for the gap which is way-marked (brick underfoot); a white house is visible. Do not go through the gap to the next field but follow the hedge on the left. This is a long field. Continue in the same direction as the hedge when it ends and the field widens.

Cross the brook via a tin bridge and head for the stile which is in sight (far left-hand corner of the field). Climb up the steep bank and up and over the stile. Head across the field to the next stile. Do not go over this stile and bridge, which leads to Swan Lane, but follow the brook by turning right and keeping the brook on your left. Climb over the next stile and bridge over a right-hand tributary joining the brook. Bear left and diagonally cross the field towards the opposite hedge. There is a stile within the barbed wire fence. Cross the middle of the field to the next stile half way along its opposite edge. To return to Ashton Keynes, turn left and retrace your steps. If walking from Waterhay, turn right

Variations.

1. If you want to get the key to the Chancel, follow the left-hand hedge when exiting the graveyard, then turn left at the track. This takes you to a lane, where you turn left. After 100 yards you come lo a bungalow "Chancel View", where you can borrow the key to the Chancel. To return, take the footpath opposite the bungalow. Go across the field, to the left of the middle, and over the stile, into the corner of the churchyard.

2. For a slightly shorter walk, you can start by driving to Waterhay car park. On leaving the car park turn left over the bridge. Turn right at the next road junction, sign-posted "Leigh". Pass Waterhay Farmhouse on the left and take the footpath opposite the bungalow (where you can borrow the key to the Chancel). Cross the field and the stile to the churchyard, where you pick up the main walk.