Dimmelsdale and Strawberry banks.

Distance - 4km

Whippet behaviour - good 5/5

Company - Marie

Difficulty - Easy, one long uphill bit, but nothing too tough, 2 stiles.

22/03/2021 - One of my favourite walks, a really nice length (4km) and although it’s downhill to begin with - I have an aversion to going up hills, which is pretty tricky when you live on top of a hill - the climb back up never feels too arduous as it’s so pretty. There are wonderful expansive views as you head down Coppice hill and pretty houses nestled in the steeply wooded hillside. I usually turn left onto Dimmelsdale about halfway down and walk alongside the stream to get to the bottom of the hill - there’s a convenient poo bin at the turn off too - it’s always quiet along here and today there was a beautiful bank of daffodils at the gate. Then left along the quiet lane at the valley bottom, passing the park at Chalford, a great place for a paddle in the stream and a picnic - plus there’s a flying fox/ zip line - pretty exciting stuff for a tiny rural playground!! There are lots of opportunities to turn left into the woods on this road but I usually turn left into the Three Groves Nature reserve which leads you to Strawberry banks following the fast flowing stream back up the hill. Pop out into France Lynch/Avenis Green and head back along the windy lanes towards the Pleasureground. It’s spring so we passed lots of very tiny new born lambs - soooo cute!! Bit worried about number 18 though, the littlest lamb seemed to be separated from its mother and was bleating forlornly, mother seemed oblivious!