Through golden harvest fields to admire the marvel of light and height that is Saint Mary the Virgin, Tetbury, an eighteenth century interpretation of gothic in wood.

A high summer trip starting from Yate station, leaving town through cheerful Chipping Sodbury high street and up onto the Cotswolds through Little Sodbury. Then along the edge before turning east at Hawkesbury Upton to cross the A46 and Badminton estate, thence over the plateau through ripening corn past Sopworth and Sherston, leaving the arable western edge of the Cotswolds to enter a more pastoral area.  Entering Tetbury by one of the minor road detours to avoid the A-roads and leaving via the other. Lunch at Lyndsey's Cafe in Church Street. 

Admire the marvel of light and height that is the eighteenth century wooden gothic church of St Mary the Virgin, the fourth highest spire in the kingdom being a landmark for miles around. I had passed within sight of it three times in the previous year, but this was the first recent visit. The interior is supported by about two hundred thin engaged wooden columns, the lightness of the wooden roof allowing the C18 builders to create their own light gothic vision rather than imitate the massive weight of medieval stone gothic.

The return runs north on the plateau to Leighterton then south past the source of the Avon in Joyce's Pool near Didmarton, a pleasant place for a short break, spoilt only by the A433 behind the hedge.  Rejoin the outward route from Sopworth to Hawkesbury Upton then down onto the flat marshlands of first Hawkesbury and then Sodbury Commons running beneath the Cotswold edge.

The route generally avoids major roads, crossing straight over the A46 and taking the minor road detours into and out of Tetbury. Avoiding the A46 & A433 constrains the route to a limited number of crossings, hence the duplication of part of the outward route on the return. Traversing Yate to Chipping Sodbury is easily done to the south of the main road, starting across the common. The dogleg junction at Didmarton uses about 100 metres of the A433, walk if necessary. 

Refreshments in Tetbury in the courtyard of  Lindseys' Cafe, Church Street, Tetbury.  Other Tetbury establishments at all price levels, also inns in Sherston and Hawkesbury Upton.

Chipping Sodbury, a cheerful coloured house now used as a catholic church.

Ripe wheat on the Cotswold plateau.

Inside St Mary's church, eighteenth century wooden gothic with slender wooden columns soaring to the heavens.

Outside, equally impressive cliff-like perpendicular style south side of the nave.

The fourth highest spire in the kingdom - back off about one kilometre to see this noted landmark in its entirety.

Joyce's pool near Didmarton, source of the Avon.

Back across the common below Hawkesbury Knott.