Frampton on Severn a Picturesque Gloucestershire Village For Pubs & Walks
The picturesque village of Frampton on Severn is a very nice rural settlement to the south of Gloucestershire. Frampton is home to one of the longest village greens in the whole of the UK. The village has some fantastic countryside nearby, thus is ideal for hikers and nature lovers including birdwatchers.
The village has three inland waterways, two rivers and a canal to enjoy and have a walk along; The Gloucester to Sharpness Canal, River Frome and River Severn. These have great walks through the countryside and 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 which are ideal for walks in the countryside. 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 rather impressive and has many nice things to see when exploring. 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 at the weekends in the 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 historic architecture of the buildings of the area. These include buildings covering several centuries of history, from Cruck Cottages to eye-catching Tudor and Georgian houses.
Walk To Saul Junction
Saul Junction is near to 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 actually dates from the 12th century with the first records being from 1228. The oldest part of the present-day church in Frampton is the Romanesque font that dates back 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 mins away by car or a nice hour-long rural walk is WWT Slimbridge. 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 in between The River Severn Estuary and the Gloucester-Sharpness canal. It is home for 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 River Severn in the distance.
Frampton Court Walk
One of the main buildings to see is Frampton Court, a lovely place with grounds that are accessible for walking. A fantastic walk is the circular walks around the lake on the property.
Frampton court is a Georgian mansion in the village that dates 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. Thus it has a fascinating history starting after 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 some lovely farmland, on the banks of the lake, and through some woodland. Access to the walk is near to the Coffee House on the village green.
Visit the Sailing Club
Located just at the far end of the green in the Sailing Club that calls the gravel pits home. This is a nice place for a walk or to sit and relax overlooking the lake watching the 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 the water sport on the lake.
See 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 is a grade I listed building that dates from the 1560s. They have restored the building to its former glory, and it is now available for use as a wedding venue or a filming location.
See Other Beautiful Houses & Buildings
Frampton on Severn is a beautiful place and the amount 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 had a beer in the village, thus is a great place for a rest on a long walk. There are many options for circular walks from the pubs in the village which Ive 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 hikers, canal boat travellers and food lovers. The Bell Inn also has bed-and-breakfast holiday accommodation. Which 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, that includes pheasant, partridge, duck, and rabbit.
The Three Horseshoes has many options for drinking, including real-ale, cider, wines and spirits. For beer lovers is useful to note that this establishment has been in the CAMRA good beer guide. One of the featured ales served 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 is a pleasant place for brunch or lunch out. You can find Ley Bistro on the village green, thus 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 waypoint and a good option from Frampton on Severn is to Fromebridge Mill pub. They are a friendly pub that served 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 of the river on a paddleboard. The route is 3 miles each way and Ive 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, you shortly reach Saul Junction, where two canals meet. It’s a nice area, especially if you like to see narrow boats and countryside. If you fancy refreshments, then stables cafe is fantastic for lunch, especially their bacon sandwiches. This is an easy and flat walk, thus quite leisurely.
Walk Around The River Severn Horseshoe
For those that enjoy longer walks, you can walk along the entire banks of the 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, and 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.