4 miles, easy with some climbs and muddy patches!
Ledbury is fortunate in having so many wonderful walks near to the town and this walk to Eastnor Castle and back is no exception. It follows well-trodden paths, one at least was an old drovers’ route to and from Ledbury market in years gone by, and they are passable now the land is drying. The paths criss-cross an undulating landscape to Eastnor Castle, built as a home rather than a fortification in the early decades of the 19th century. The mock Norman architecture of this grand building is not to everyone’s taste, but the house and gardens in addition to the expansive deer park are much admired. Plenty of wild flowers and superb views to take in on this 4 mile ramble with some climbs and care is needed as the paths can be very muddy after rain.
1. The walk starts from the bus stop at Dunns Copse on the Biddulph Way. Return to the main A449 road and cross with care. Turn right to follow the pavement which eases away from the roadside, passing the roundabout where there’s a fine Walenty Pytel sculpture, until you reach a track on the left marked by a signpost.
2. The track rises to a bend just beyond the entrance to Cherry Orchard. At the bend keep ahead on a narrower track into Coneygree Wood, the name denoting its use in past times for farming rabbits. As the path curves left keep right at first, but it then bends left to descend into an area which has recently been felled. There’s a lovely smell of softwood but watch out for roots and muddy patches. The path finally eases right to a small gate leading into a lovely pasture festooned with lady’s smock and dandelions. It runs very slightly right and then left up towards the edge of Mayhill wood where you pass through a field gate and up a green track.
3. The track is waymarked through the buildings known as The Holts, an old English word relating to the woodland. Keep to the left of the brick end of the barn into the next field. Aim slightly right down to a gate leading onto a track skirting Bircham’s Wood. Go left on the track down to the buildings of Home Farm, noting the last flourish of wood anemones, primrose, bluebell, cowslip and Stitchwort before passing a home orchard on the left where there are a number of fine old standard pear trees.
4. On the right is Eastnor Pottery, a delightful exhibition of pottery run by two talented potters Sarah Monk and Jon Williams; they welcome walkers so make time to pop in. Not only are there very unusual designs and techniques to admire, but throughout the year the pottery offers taster sessions for those interested in working with clay. Continue down to Clencher’s Mill lane where you go left and right at the junction by the school to the A438 road where there’s an entrance to Eastnor Castle on the right and access across the road to the Woodshed café and deer park. There are permissive paths for those who want a longer walk up to the Obelisk, a monument built as a dedication to members of the Somers Cocks family who owned the estate at that time.
5. Assuming you stop off at the Woodshed, return to the A438 and turn right for about 50 yards. Cross the main road with care and continue ahead up a tree lined track, and through a gate to a back lane by Eastnor church. You are now following the GeoPark Way back to Ledbury. Turn right along the lane but just past the drive, go left up steps and left along the edge of the playing field. Continue ahead up the track which bends right at the top of the field. Pause awhile to enjoy the view across the deer park to the obelisk. Beyond stand the majestic Malvern Hills. You should be able to pick out the ramparts of British Camp to the left. In the foreground, you might glimpse of the towers and turrets of Eastnor Castle just above the trees.
6. Follow the track as it curves right (not immediately right) to descend in the shade to a track across the field. Prior to the gateway into the wood peel off slightly right by the waymark post, then along a path which soon enters the wood; watch out for the protruding pig wire here. Proceed through to a gate back into pasture and keep ahead to a veteran oak. Give it a well-deserved hug as it is a magnificent veteran. This spot is known as Dead Woman’s Thorn which probably refers to the decaying building on the right. It is said that the term Dead Man or Woman refers to a time when parishes buried those who have been cast aside in non-consecrated ground, often at the boundary of the parish. This location however remains a curiosity to this day. Continue ahead into the next pasture on a clear path mostly parallel to the wood’s edge.
7. Enter the wood again and descend on a path ignoring paths off left and right to cross a wider forestry track. Your sunken path zig zags down to reach steps and more steps before finally reaching the A449 road. Cross over and go left down the pavement to pass the police station before turning right on a path to Ledbury church, originally built in the 8th century but much enlarged in Norman times. Go through the church precincts to Church Lane which leads to the Market House. On the way, reward yourselves with a cup of tea in the Malthouse or a pint of beer in the Prince of Wales.
Factfile
Map: Explorer 190 Malvern Hills & Bredon Hill
Travel to Dunns Copse in Ledbury on the 232 Daffodil Line
This is a linear walk from Dunns Copse, Biddulph Way to Ledbury Market House. Some may prefer to start the walk from the Market House, walking along the Southend, keeping to the left hand path along the A449.
Refreshment: The Woodshed, Eastnor Deer Park. Open daily until 16:30.
Information
You might also like to combine the walks with a visit to Eastnor Pottery (www.eastnorpottery.co.uk) and Eastnor Castle (www.eastnorcastle.com)
