The parish of Much Marcle offers a wide range of walks including sections of the Herefordshire Trail and Three Choirs Way. Thanks to the good work of the parish footpaths team led by footpaths officer, David Beckett, many paths have been improved in recent years and this walk is no exception. It is a 4-mile easy walk which crosses between Herefordshire and Gloucestershire starting from the turn to St. Bartholomew’s church in the village through to St. Mary’s church in Kempley – both of which are of special historical interest.
However, this walk also happens to pass by Gregg’s Pit cider mill where James Marsden is the cider and perry maker, ably assisted by his partner Helen Woodman. They have faithfully restored Gregg’s Pit cottage and orchard and make quality cider and perry from heritage varieties. All of their beverages are made from 100% apple or perry pear juice pressed, fermented and matured on the premises. And the emphasis is placed on traditional orchard husbandry and biodiversity, so it is no wonder that James has attained many awards over the years. (You are welcome to call in to buy a bottle or two but please note you have to contact James in advance. Details below.)
1. Start the walk at the turning for Hellens manor. Go left along the pavement and if you’d like to take a look at St. Bartholomew’s church and the ancient yew cross over and walk up the lane to make a visit. Otherwise, cross over the road at the corner where the sightline in both directions is better. Make your way over to the minor road signposted to Kempley. Follow this past several orchards and Awnells Farm owned by the Countryside Regeneration Trust, which aims to showcase nature friendly farming. Continue along the lane to a road junction. Go left here into Gloucestershire and catch a glimpse of an amazing orchard on the right, a cornucopia of standard and half standard cider and perry pear trees which are managed by Saycells Farm
2. On reaching Saycells Farm go right through the yard. If the gates are open that’s the way, if not there’s a step stile over the wall. Walk through another gate and proceed ahead across a lawn to a fence. Turn left towards a wooden building and cross a stile just before. Now walk parallel to a line of standard perry pear trees. Cross two stiles and leave land farmed with wildlife conservation in mind into an expansive field of cutting grass.
3. Walk ahead, aiming for a gateway (not seen immediately) in the far hedge, where your path meets the Daffodil Way. Do not go through the gateway. Do an about turn and now head very slightly right rising towards an electricity pole where you’ll get a first glimpse of St. Mary’s church at Kempley. Aim for it. Cross a stile to the left of a field gate to exit onto a lane. Go ahead across the junction, but pause a moment to read the notice on the tree guard referring to the 7th Earl Beauchamp. Follow the lane down to the entrance to St. Mary’s church on the right which provides an amazing insight into medieval life, so a visit is highly recommended.
4. Return to the lane, go left and right to cross a stile into a field on the Three Choirs Way. Your way is slightly right across the field but local people follow the hedge on the right to cross a bridge in the hedge. Go slightly left in the next field to a corner and then slightly right across the field to cross the next bridge in the hedgerow. Continue ahead aiming for a stile and footbridge on the right just beyond a field gate. Once over go immediately left through a gate and ahead again to go over another footbridge. Now proceed through a gateway and ahead across a large field. Pass through a kissing gate into a small pasture and ahead again back into Herefordshire.
5. On reaching the final field, cross a double stile to leave the Three Choirs Way where you go left along the field’s edge and by an orchard belonging to Gregg’s Pit cider and perry. Go through a gate onto a track, over a stile on the other side and drop down to the gate at the bottom left corner of the field. However, before the gate turn right to walk along the field’s lower hedge to cross a stile in the bottom corner and on to the road.
6. Cross with care and turn left to follow the footpath back into the village. Before reaching the entrance road to Hellens you might like to divert to visit the church. Otherwise, continue along the pavement, past the village hall and on the roadside as it curves left back to the Walwyn Arms. The bus stop for Ross is where you alighted, the stop for Ledbury on the opposite side by the pub garden.
Factfile
Map
Explorer 189 Hereford & Ross-on-Wye
Travel to Much Marcle by bus (Ask for turning to Hellens)
Check www.traveline.info or www.daffodiloine.co.uk for up to the minute timetable information.
Allow two hours for the walk and extra time if you have booked an appointment to buy a bottle of fine cider or perry at Gregg’s Pit.
Refreshment
Walwyn Arms, Much Marcle – open daily.
Information
Gregg’s Pit will be featured in a forthcoming book by Lumsdon and Evans ‘Walking in Cider Country’ published by Orphans Press.
Check out Gregg’s Pit website at www.greggs-pit.co.uk. To book an appointment email James on greggspit@btinternet.com or phone 07473 900840.
