T

he author Laurie Lee’s famous ode to his childhood, Cider With Rosie, paints a seductive picture of Gloucestershire’s Slad Valley, so why not follow in his footsteps and explore this gorgeous, unspoiled corner of the Cotswolds yourself?

There are tons of leisurely walking routes that meander through the picture-postcard landscape, which has the historic town of Stroud at its centre.

On your rambles, look out for landmarks from the book, like Steanbridge Mill and the Woolpack Inn in Slad. Lee was a regular at this centuries-old pub, and it makes an ideal rest stop for a cheeky pint of ale (or cider of course) and a spot of lunch before you head back out into the greenery.

Rather aptly, Laurie is buried across the road from the Woolpack, in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church. If you found yourself charmed by the idyllic picture painted by the Cider With Rosie writer, wait ‘til you see it all in real life...