Frampton on Severn: A Picturesque Gloucestershire Village For Pubs & Walks

The picturesque village of Frampton on Severn is a very nice rural settlement in southern Gloucestershire. Frampton is home to one of the longest village greens in the UK. The village has fantastic countryside nearby, making it ideal for hikers and nature lovers, including birdwatchers.

The village has three inland waterways to enjoy and walk along: the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal, River Frome, and River Severn. These offer great countryside walks and are close to WWT Slimbridge or the boat graveyard at Purton.

Things to see and do in Frampton on Severn

If you like countryside walks and old buildings, then Frampton on Severn is a great place to visit. Frampton on Severn is a picturesque village near the River Severn in Gloucestershire. It has one of the longest village greens in England, which makes is a pretty special place.

The village has three waterways that are ideal for countryside walks. This includes the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal, the River Frome and the River Severn. There are other pleasant villages nearby too, which makes the area great for a day out in the countryside.

The Longest Village Green in England

The Village Green is impressive and has plenty to see. It’s a big green, and it’s apparently the longest village green in England. It is 22 acres in size. Walks along the village green are nice, and there are lots of old buildings to see, including Manor Farm, The Old Coffee House and Frampton Court.

The village green also has some fishing ponds that are havens for wildlife. You can often see ducks and other birds here. The village’s pubs are also on the village green. My favourite, The Bell Inn, has a splendid outdoor seating area with views of the green. If you visit on weekends in summer, you can also watch a game of cricket with your beers.

Historic Homes

They have designated the area surrounding the village Green a Conservation Area. This is because of the area’s historic architecture. These include buildings spanning several centuries, from Cruck Cottages to eye-catching Tudor and Georgian houses.

Walk To Saul Junction

Saul Junction is near the village and just along the canal towpath. This is a nice flat walk along the waterfront where you can enjoy views of the canal and see many boats. The Stables Cafe is great for refreshments here, a popular spot for dog walkers and hikers alike.

St Mary’s Church

They consecrated the church of St Mary the Virgin in the village in 1315. It dates to the 12th century, with the first records from 1228. The oldest part of the present-day church in Frampton is the Romanesque font, which dates to the 12th century. St Mary’s has a fascinating history of the building on their website.

The church is open daily for prayer and quiet reflection for visitors throughout the year. St Mary’s church is stunning to look at from the farm fields to the rear or from the canal.

Visit WWT Slimbridge

Located less than 10 minutes away by car, or a nice hour-long rural walk, WWT Slimbridge is nearby. This is a popular place to visit for families or those interested in wildlife, particularly native birds. WWT Slimbridge is a wetland nature reserve run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. It is in a beautiful rural location between the River Severn Estuary and the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal. It is home to wild swans, ducks, geese, and even some otters.

Circular Walk along Canal

The village is lovely for walking, especially as it is pretty flat. There are many circular walks. The Gloucester-Sharpness Canal is ideal for those looking for a circular walk. Starting at the Bell Inn, you can wander down the green enjoying the pretty houses and scenery.

Once you reach the church, walkers can cross the bridge, then turn right along the canal towpath. This section is beautiful, with views of the canal, countryside, and the River Severn in the distance.

Frampton Court Walk

One of the main buildings is Frampton Court, a lovely place with accessible grounds for walking. A fantastic walk is the circular walk around the lake on the property.

Frampton Court is a Georgian mansion in the village, dating from the 1730s. It’s a pleasant building to see. The family’s estate is big and has been in the Clifford family for over 1000 years. As a result, it has a fascinating history dating back to the Norman Conquest.

A nice place for a circular walk is around the lake at Frampton Court. On the walk, you pass by the beautiful Frampton Court building. The trail takes you through lovely farmland on the banks of the lake, and through woodland. Access to the walk is near the Coffee House on the village green.

Visit the Sailing Club

Located at the far end of the green in the Sailing Club, which calls the gravel pits home. This is a nice place for a walk or to sit and relax overlooking the lake, watching what’s going on at the sailing club. FOSSC is a sailing club you can visit for a taster session, lessons, or, as a full member, take part in water sports on the lake.

The Wool Barn at Manor Farm

An interesting building to see when walking along the village green is the Wool Barn. The Wool Barn is part of Manor Farm, owned by the Frampton Court Estate. This Grade I listed building dates from the 1560s. They have restored the building to its former glory, and it is now available as a wedding venue or filming location.

See Other Beautiful Houses & Buildings

Frampton on Severn is a beautiful place, and the number of beautiful old houses present in the village enhances this. You can see many examples of timber-framed houses and thatched cottages on walks through the village. There are over 70 listed buildings in the village which are fascinating to see.

Pubs, Restaurants & Cafes in Frampton on Severn

There are some lovely places to eat out or have a beer in the village; it’s a great place for a rest on a long walk. Many circular walks start from the village pubs, which I’ve enjoyed many times.

The Bell Inn

The Bell Inn is a nice local pub and restaurant. It is at the top of the Gloucester end of the village green. The pub serves both fine food, including a delicious Sunday roast and quality local beer. The main menu is a bistro-style affair with some great options cooked with locally sourced ingredients.

On a summer’s day, the beer garden overlooking the green is a fantastic place to watch the world go by or a game of cricket. A popular spot for dog walkers, as it is dog-friendly, and for hikers, canal boat travellers and food lovers. The Bell Inn also has bed-and-breakfast holiday accommodation. This is ideal if you are looking for a great place to stay in the village.

The Three Horseshoes

In the middle of the green is The Three Horseshoes public house. The Three Horseshoes is a traditional family-run pub with a great beer garden. The pub serves a delicious selection of home-cooked meals.

The restaurant’s signature dishes are its pies. These come in a variety of flavours, from steak and kidney to a vegetarian option. One of the unique pies is their game pie, which includes pheasant, partridge, duck, and rabbit.

The Three Horseshoes offers many drink options, including real ale, cider, wines, and spirits. Beer lovers will also note that this establishment has been in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. One of the featured ales is the locally brewed Uley Bitter, a copper-coloured beer with great flavours.

Ley Bistro A Small Cafe

Ley Bistro is a small cafe in the village of Frampton on Severn and a pleasant place for brunch or lunch. You can find Ley Bistro on the village green, so it is a great place for refreshments after a walk in the area. They specialise in home-cooked food, cakes and quality coffee.

Their lunch menu has a variety of options, including the special fish and chips on Fridays. For food, you can opt for baked potatoes or sandwiches with delightful fillings. These include cheddar cheese, coronation chicken and tuna mayonnaise. They also serve breakfast and brunch sandwiches, which are delicious with very nice bread. Ley Bistro also does a fantastic ploughman’s salad with all the trimmings. For drinks, they have tea, coffee, soft drinks and a few bottled beers. Overall, this is a great place to dine out at lunchtime.

Walks In Frampton on Severn

Frampton on Severn is a wonderful place for hiking and country walks, including joining the Severn Way Hiking Trail. If you enjoy flat walks, the village is one of the best places for walks in Gloucestershire.

Village Circular Walks

The village is great for circular walks which cover many of the pleasant parts of Frampton. Parts I usually enjoy include walking around the lakes of Frampton Coury estate. This is a pretty walk through the countryside, in woodland and along the lake.

The village green is long, thus great for a stroll. You can then loop back via the canal when you reach the bridge near the church. Both pubs in the village are wonderful starting points for a circular walk, and I’ve done many, followed by a beer or two.

Walk Along River Frome To Fromebridge Mill Pub

I love walks that use country pubs as waypoints, and a good option from Frampton on Severn is to Fromebridge Mill Pub. They are a friendly pub that serves good food and has good beer options. The walk to Fromebridge Mill involved passing through Saul Junction on the canal, then following the River Frome towards Whitminster.

The countryside here is beautiful and lots of opportunities to see wildlife and farms. It’s a pretty quiet walk, and you might bump into the occasional person or someone on the river on a paddleboard. The route is 3 miles each way, and I’ve saved the details on the Komoot website. You can also walk along the riverbank all the way to Stroud.

Saul Junction Walk

If you follow the canal from the village, youwill soon reach Saul Junction, where two canals meet. It’s a nice area, especially if you like narrowboats and countryside. If you fancy refreshments, then Stables Cafe is fantastic for lunch, especially their bacon sandwiches. This is an easy, flat walk, so it’s quite leisurely.

Walk Around The River Severn Horseshoe

For those who enjoy longer walks, you can walk along the entire River Severn horseshoe. This takes you from the village and through beautiful countryside to the River. You then follow the river to the village of Arlingham, which has a few good pubs. After a drink, you then continue along the river, then back via Saul Junction and the canal path. This walk includes parts of the Severn Way long-distance trail. Route Details…

Where to Stay in Frampton-on-Severn?

The village has many rental properties for holidays in this part of the country, as well as other accommodation. For currently available places to rest your head, Booking.com is a great place to start. This comprehensive site should help you find the perfect place for you to book.