Coaley Peak, near Dursley, Gloucestershire
Coaley Peak
Viewpoint
Place photograph
6.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Big-sky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.5A five-hectare hilltop reserve where the view opens across the Severn Vale towards the Forest of Dean, with Nympsfield Long Barrow close by.
Coaley Peak earns its place for the combination of broad Severn Vale views, open hilltop grassland and a nearby prehistoric long barrow. It works as a short scenic stop, but the landscape becomes more rewarding if you follow the Cotswold Way onward.
Big-sky · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapCoaley Peak, near Dursley, Gloucestershire
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The experience
A concise hilltop visit can take in the panorama and Nympsfield Long Barrow. For a longer outing, follow the Cotswold Way towards Selsley Common; the supplied route account describes a 7-mile linear walk with gates, stiles and steeper sections on one route option.
Things to do
Take in the Severn Vale panorama
Pause at the hilltop reserve for views across the Severn Vale towards the Forest of Dean.
30–60 minutes; estimate.
Find Nympsfield Long Barrow
Visit the remains of the long barrow at Coaley Peak; the Wildlife Trust identifies it as a feature of the reserve.
Walk towards Selsley Common
A published route account describes a 7-mile linear walk from Coaley Peak to Selsley Common through meadows and woodland, with gates, stiles and moderate or steep gradients on the Cotswold Way section.
About 3–4 hours; estimate.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; estimate, not a verified visit duration.
Quick Escape: the view and the long barrow
- 01
Start from the Coaley Peak car-park area.
- 02
Take in the views across the Severn Vale towards the Forest of Dean.
- 03
Visit the remains of Nympsfield Long Barrow nearby.
Half day · Allow around 3–4 hours; estimate based on the sourced 7-mile route.
Make a Half Day of It: walk towards Selsley Common
- 01
Begin at Coaley Peak and pass the remains of Nympsfield Long Barrow.
- 02
Follow the Cotswold Way towards Selsley Common, using the route account for directions and to assess the terrain.
- 03
Plan for a linear walk rather than assuming a circular return; confirm transport or return arrangements before leaving.
Verified history
Nympsfield Long Barrow lies at Coaley Peak. The supplied sources identify the monument but do not provide a verified date, builders or detailed history, so no further historical claims are added.
Hidden details
The long barrow is part of the visit — Nympsfield Long Barrow is a nearby physical feature, not just a distant historical reference. The supplied route account places it on the walk from the car-park area.
Wildflowers on the hilltop — Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s reserve page features and identifies wildflowers at Coaley Peak; no specific species or flowering dates are confirmed in the supplied material.
When to go
· A clear day is the most useful condition for distant views; a particular time of day is not verified.
The Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open throughout the year and gives no seasonal peak. The supplied route account notes exposed, windy conditions on the hilltop.
The hilltop can be windy. Check the forecast and bring suitable layers; conditions and route surfaces may affect the longer walk.
The route
- stiles
- Gates and stiles are reported on the Cotswold Way section.
- surface
- Meadows and woodland; exact surface conditions vary.
- distance
- 7 miles / 11.2 km linear, according to the supplied route account
- duration
- Not stated in the source; allow several hours and check current route conditions.
- difficulty
- Moderate overall; one described Cotswold Way option includes moderate or steep gradients.
- waymarking
- The Cotswold Way is identified as the route to follow; verify signs and route details on site.
- route shape
- Linear, Coaley Peak to Selsley Common
- start point
- Coaley Peak; use the car-park postcode GL10 3TP for navigation.
- parking start
- Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust reports plenty of free parking. Confirm current arrangements before travel.
- Severn Vale views towards the Forest of Dean
- Nympsfield Long Barrow
- Meadows and woodland on the route towards Selsley Common
Worth pairing with
Nympsfield
A visitor review describes Nympsfield as around a 10-minute walk away and mentions the Rose and Crown pub; check current details and route before making this part of a plan.
What to look for
Look across the Severn Vale towards the Forest of Dean, then visit the remains of Nympsfield Long Barrow. The Wildlife Trust also identifies wildflowers at the reserve.
The story
Prehistoric archaeology
Best time to go
Open throughout the year. Clear days are best for distant views; the supplied sources do not specify a peak season.
Choose a clear day for the far-reaching views. No more specific best time is verified by the supplied sources.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Dogs
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust describes Coaley Peak as open access throughout the year. Entry is free. Check current conditions before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
The Wildlife Trust reports plenty of free parking; GL10 3TP is the car-park postcode. The accepted map pin is for the main place, not a verified entrance or parking coordinate.
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs permitted, according to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
Accessibility
The Wildlife Trust describes terrain as flat and mostly even, with kissing gates to fields away from the car park. Do not assume all paths or onward routes are wheelchair- or pushchair-accessible.
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Coaley Peak
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Source image6.8Uley Long Barrow (Hetty Pegler’s Tump)
Uley, near Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 5BH
1.3 km away
Place photograph7.2Windmill Tump Long Barrow
Oathill Lane, near Rodmarton, Gloucestershire GL7 6PU
14.3 km away
