If you are itching to get out of the house then read on.
Strangely enough when we did the recce in early November there were still plenty of wild flowers, white campion, dandelion by the wayside as well as ‘Old man in the Spring’ and clover flowering in the fields. It makes you think about the pattern we have taken for granted for decades. Is it now about to change? Whatever your mood, give this 4.5 mile linear ramble a go. There’s one climb and no stiles so overall is gentle enough, but care is needed as the paths can become muddy after rain so stout footwear is best.
1. The walk starts from the bus stop just before Stoney Lane at Kilcot Cross. Go left from the bus stop (in the direction of Ross-on-Wye) on the B4221 and left again to walk up the dead end road (also known as Wood Lane) which soon gives way to a leafy track flanked by mature oak trees, the ground strewn with thousands of acorns. At the junction, go left and at the next one keep ahead on the footpath into Kilcot Wood.
2. The track rises through the wood, a place which hides its past well for this has been both a hunting ground, surface quarry and no doubt a workplace for many a woodworker and charcoal maker. Ignore lesser paths to the left and right and as you approach the junction at the top you’ll be bedecked by holly bushes. Go right at the junction and right again at the crossroads to walk beneath a canopy of holly. There seems to be a healthy colony of them here as you walk into Spring Wood. As the path approaches the wood’s edge go left at a fork and exit along a corralled path to a track.
3. Cross over and go right through the kissing gate, now on the Three Choirs Way, into a meadow which is festooned with wild flowers in summer. Go ahead to a field corner and then follow the hedge ahead on the right to the far right corner but do not cross the stile here. Turn left to walk up to a gate in the top right corner. Once through, keep ahead to a field gate followed by a kissing gate to reach a lane.
4. Turn left and as the lane bends right bear left through a small gate to pass a dwelling and barn on the right to reach Acorn wood. A very appropriate name as in past times it is said that the wood was used to fatten up pigs with acorns. You are now on the Geopark Way following the main woodland track which curves left through the wood. Ignore a path off to the right in the direction of Boulsdon, a route we’ll follow on another occasion. The main track descends by a section of the wood that has been coppiced sometime in the past. It then bends more sharply left to open up an alluring view of the mighty Malverns in the distance. Drop down to a junction where you bear left to proceed through two field gates into a lush green field
5. Go right alongside the hedge to the top right corner where you leave the Geopark Way. Continue ahead through a gateway and head slightly right on a worn path across an arable field towards a barn at Knapper farm. Proceed through a small gate and then in a few metres on through another on the left. Pass by the farmhouse and ahead on a lovely old track to join Conigree Road. Go right for about 10 metres and look for steps leading up to a gate into a field.
6. Continue ahead and then right down to a white post where you cut left through a gate into a paddock. Walk ahead to go through another gate and ahead again along the edge of the field to a junction where you turn right down a track with a hedge on the left. Note that the route on the ground is not the same as on the Ordnance Survey map. Part way down go through a gate into the arboretum. Turn right and then left through the wonderful avenue of oak trees leading down to a kissing gate and Watery Lane.
7. Go left and right opposite Bradfords Lane along a track which narrows into a path by an entrance to a property, and skirting a recreational field on the left. This leads to a junction where you keep left and descend on a path which bends left and runs near to the Peacock brook. Do not go over the footbridge; continue along the path as it bends left and right to a housing estate. Cross the road, keep ahead along the path which bends right to cross a road and then dips down to cross the brook again into Culver Street. Go left at the junction in town to return to Newent library, crossing the road to the Lake bus stop, no doubt ready for refreshment.
Factfile
Map
Explorer OL 14 Wye valley & Forest of Dean
Travel from Ledbury or Ross on the 232 Daffodil Line
Check https://daffodilline.co.uk
This is a linear walk from Kilcot Cross to Newent. If travelling from Ross, please take great care to cross the B4321 to Stoney Lane – too many cars speed along this road. If arriving by car use the Lake car park in Newent.
Refreshment
Lots available at Newent
Information
Take a look at their websites:
Geopark Way: www.earthheritagetrust.org
Three Choirs Way: www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Three+Choirs+Way
