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Bishops
Frome-Putley Taster Walks
Bromyard to Ledbury
Leave Bromyard via the subway under the A44 but stop and admire the wooden sculpture by the side of the A44, before proceeding along the good track to pass five farms before arriving at Paunton Court. This local Vineyard on the side of the River Frome, produces its own wines which can be sampled before moving on to Bishop's Frome.
From Bishop's Frome Church, cross the fields and, passing Cheyney Park and Chapel,climb up to the top of Fromes Hill. Good views can be enjoyed from this vantage point.
Continue on to Bosbury with its detached church tower and black and white cottages. Coddington is visited next, after passing through another vineyard.
From the top of Oyster Hill, experience good views over the Malvern Hills and surrounding areas. On the descent from Oyster Hill, Hope End House with its walled gardens is passed. This was once the home of the author Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Enter Ledbury along Church Lane, which has been used as the medieval setting for many dramatic productions, to arrive in the centre of Ledbury by the Market House.
Ledbury to Ross
Pass through the Riverside Gardens on the far side of the A417 Ledbury by-pass. Cross the Roman Road A4172 near Newbridge Farm and visit Putley Church. On leaving the church, pass in front of Putley Court before ascending Marcle Hill via 'The Wonder' land slip. This occurred in 1575 and lasted for three days.
When the quiet lane running along the top of Marcle Hill is reached, good views of the Malvern Hills and of Ledbury can be enjoyed. As you progress south along the ridge, more breathtaking views will open up to the west towards the Black Mountains. Oldbury Camp is passed on this section on the way to Yatton Church. Old Yatton Church can be visited by walking through the farmyard of Chapel Farm before continuing through Yatton Woods.
The A449 needs to be crossed twice on its loop taking the Trail close to Crow Hill before descending gently to Hole-in-the-Wall. The quiet valley below Eaton Park seems very remote from the rest of the world. As the high ground towards Eaton Hill is gained, the River Wye can be seen to your right.
Visit Brampton Abbotts Church and rest for a few moments on the stone seat to the rear of the churchyard before crossing the fields to Ross. Pass over the dual carriageway and go down into the town to the Market House.
Circular Walk - Marcle Ridge
Circular Walk from Marcle Ridge to Much Marcle and return.
Distance 7 miles.
Map Explorer 189
To the left of the picnic site on Marcle Ridge, steps lead up to a stile. Cross this and follow the fence/hedgerow on your right, passing the trig point (at 231 metres and on the other side of the fence) on Marcle Ridge. Here, you can enjoy views of the Malvern Hills to the left and tantalising glimpses of the Black Mountains to the right. Walk on along the ridge past the TV mast until you drop down to cross a stile out onto a track.
Turn left along the track till you reach the junction with the lanes. Continue straight ahead down the lane. After the house Upper Nuttall, turn right down the track till you come to the gate to Little Puckmore, where you cross the stile on your left. Follow the hedgerow on your left around two sides of the field to a stile in the far corner . Cross this and follow the hedge on your right to find a stile on your right, which leads out onto the track. Follow this track down to the lane, ignoring the footpath, which goes off to the left.
At the lane go straight across to the stile opposite and continue across the field in the same line aiming for a stile by the large trees ahead of you. Cross the stile out into the lane and go through the gateway opposite. Follow the hedge on your right and when you enter the next field continue on the same line to a footbridge. Again continuing on the same heading reach a stile on the side of the A449. Cross this with care and go through the small gate and over the footbridge opposite. Walk up to the gate leading into Much Marcle churchyard.
In front of the church is reputedly one of the oldest yew trees in the country. It now has a hollow trunk, into which a small bench has been added, ideal for eating lunch in, when there is inclement weather about.
Continue on through the churchyard to join the B4024, turn left and walk through Much Marcle to rejoin the A449. Again cross with care and go straight through the yard opposite and through the gate to Hereford Model Club. Turn right and follow the hedgerow on your right passing the Model Club's HQ. Cross the vehicular bridge at the end of this field and in the next field look for the stile on your right towards the end of the field. Cross the stile then a small footbridge and a further stile into the field. Turn left and very shortly a footbridge with stiles will be found on your left.
Cross this and continue straight ahead with the hedge on your left into the corner of the field. Now turn right following the hedge on your left still. Towards the end of the field a footbridge with stiles will be found on your left. Cross this and turn right and head for the right hand corner of the field. Look for a small plank bridge with stile leading into the next field. Turn left to go the short distance into the corner and then follow the hedge on your left looking for a footbridge with stiles on your left. Cross this and then turn half-right to go across the open field to a stile. Cross this and follow the hedge on your left. Continue along the same line in the next field and eventually cross a stile in a fence. Go across the field to a footbridge and continuing on the same line through the next two fields to the lane. As you walk through these last field's good views of Hall Court can be had. This was once the home of Dr. John Fell, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. To which one student penned the oft quoted:
I do not like thee. Doctor Fell,
The reason why I cannot tell.
But this I know and know full well.
I do not like thee Dr Fell.
Turn right along the lane till another lane joins from the left. Turn left up this lane passing Wall House and then at the t-junction turn right. At Little Hall the track swings hard left and starts the climb back up to Marcle Hill. Follow the track uphill to the
t-junction with the bridleway, turn left and descend slightly to reach the lane at Hooper's Oak. Go forward along the road for almost a kilometre to the fork in the road where the picnic site is situated.
