Ampney Crucis: Crosses, Church and Walking Routes

Ampney Crucis combines striking examples of medieval religious culture with routes through woodland, pasture and open countryside. Anyone looking for a mix of history and activity during their stay will find clear starting points for planning their days here: two historic crosses, the Church of the Holy Rood, Ampney Park and the “Poulton & the Ampneys Circular Walk”.

Historic Crosses and the Church of the Holy Rood

The churchyard cross at the Church of the Holy Rood dates from the late 14th or early 15th century. Its four-sided tabernacle top depicts the Virgin and Child, Saint Lawrence, the Crucifixion and Robert Fitz-Harmon. The cross is also listed as a Grade I monument and is considered to be the cross from which the parish may have taken its name.

The second cross, described as a wayside cross, dates from the 14th century. It is located in Ampney Crucis; a path connects it with the churchyard cross approximately 130 metres to the west. Visitors who enjoy discovering historical details on foot can make these two crosses a particular focus of their exploration of the village. The crosses at the parish church are also identified as points of interest on the “Poulton & the Ampneys Circular Walk”.

The Church of the Holy Rood is an Anglican parish church with Saxon origins, Norman architectural elements and a 15th-century tower. It was restored in 1870. A parish communion service is held in the church at 10 a.m. on the third Sunday of every month; visitors are welcome. This provides a clear, regularly recurring opportunity for travellers who would like to combine exploring the village with attending a church service.

Routes through Woodland, Pasture and Fields

The “Poulton & the Ampneys Circular Walk” is approximately 5.5 miles long and passes through Ampney Crucis, with connecting sections away from surfaced roads and paths. For planning the day, the approximate route length is the most important fixed reference point. A parish guide also describes the designated public footpaths, bridleways and roads used as public routes.

The route sections described offer varied landscape experiences. One footpath passes Ampney Ridings woodland and a spring with a small pond, then continues through a short stretch of woodland and across pasture before joining the Barnsley footpath BBY 2. Other sections run between the cricket ground and football pitch, across a wooden footbridge and over farmland to School Lane. From Village Street, another section passes an old cross through a wooded area and along a private road to Church Lane opposite the church.

These route details can help you decide how you would like to spend your days. If your group is equally interested in historic buildings and landscapes, a visit to the church can be combined with a longer walk. Those who prefer to plan individual discoveries can focus on the crosses and the architectural details of the Church of the Holy Rood without making the entire circular walk the centrepiece of the day.

Further Historical Points of Reference

Ampney Crucis contains evidence of a Roman settlement covering more than 4 hectares. Ampney Park is also a late-16th-century country house with a large north wing added in the 18th century and further additions from the 19th century. Both points broaden the historical perspective beyond the church and crosses. Ampney Brook, after which Ampney Crucis is partly named, is a tributary of the Thames.

Planning Your Accommodation and Journey

When choosing a holiday apartment in Ampney Crucis, you can therefore first decide on your preferred travel rhythm: should the stay focus mainly on the routes described, or would you like to combine short visits around the village with individual historical themes? For families and travel groups with different interests, this distinction can be helpful because it structures the daily plans around longer walks, landscapes and culture without giving every day the same programme.

From Cirencester, you can reach Ampney Crucis via the A417 towards Fairford. Shortly before the Crown on Ampney Brook, turn at the signposted junction for Ampney Crucis. This route description provides clear guidance for travelling from Cirencester. For further travel planning, you can also discover Dymock, Dursley, Fretherne, Newent, Minchinhampton, Alderton, Hartpury and Staunton.

For the main travel overview: Gloucestershire.