Introduction

INTRODUCTION Bodenham, either homestead or enclosure of a man called BOTA or BODA, or Old English for “place where the Beadle lived”, is an attractive village which lies just east of the A49 on the eastern edge of Dinmore Hill mid way between Hereford and Leominster. It falls entirely in an Area of Great Landscape Value and is a Conservation Area. The River Lugg on which it stands is one of the few rivers in the country to be designated throughout its length as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Lugg is a Celtic word for “bright stream”. There are interesting old houses and timbered cottages, and the interesting church of St Michael and All Angels is well worth a visit. The village has strong associations with the Devereux and Arkwright families and ample evidence of their influence on the area is to be seen on the walks. Based on the footpaths of Bodenham (BM) the walks include some connecting footpaths in Hope under Dinmore (HD) and Marden (MR) in order to create circular walks. The series of notes draw attention to the points of interest on the walks and their historical background. In 1990 a group of retired residents, organised by Bodenham Ramblers, joined, in cooperation with Hereford and Worcester County Council, a project to open up public rights of way by the year 2000. Work in Bodenham was completed in 1991 and the group went on to restore, in total, some 35 miles (56 km) of paths in 7 further parishes. The work was carried out with enthusiasm, much humour and a sense of achievement. This booklet is intended to introduce you to just a few of those paths and to mark at the Millennium the close of our part in “Project 2000”. We hope that you enjoy walking on these paths as much as we enjoyed working on them and we trust that you will encounter no difficulties. If you do they should be reported to the Area Rights of Way Warden at Hereford County Council on (01432) 260000 or write to P.O. Box 234, Hereford, HR1 2ZD quoting the appropriate path number. Always follow the Country Code !

The Country Code 1. Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work. 2. Guard against all risk of fire. 3. Fasten all gates that you open. 4. Keep dogs under close control. 5. Keep to the public paths across farmland (unless you have permission to do otherwise, as applies on some of our walks). 6. Avoid damaging fences, hedges and walls. 7. Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone. 8. Leave no litter, take it home. 9. Safeguard water supplies and keep them clean. 10. Protect wildlife, plants and trees. 11. Take special care on country roads. 12. Make no unnecessary noise.

1 THANK YOU We wish to thank the following whose generous sponsorship has made this book possible:- Bache’s Bargain Warehouse The Moor, Bodenham. Tel. (01568) 797319 & 797441 Everyone’s favourite store of garden produce and household goods. Paul Barrett, Builder 23, Millcroft Road, Bodenham, HR1 3LX. Tel. (01568) 797511 Bodenham boy since 1951. Extensions, alterations repairs, no job too small. The Betty Jones Memorial Fund Bodenham Parish Council Broadfield Court Bowley Lane, Bodenham, HR1 3LG. Tel. (01568) 797483 Vineyard and Old English Gardens. Open every day from 10th April to 30th September. Admission Free. Wine tasting. Wine shop open daily. Brockington Golf Club On the A417, Bodenham. Tel. (01568) 797877 Par 66 9 Hole Golf Course in beautiful country surroundings. Open every day to members and visitors. England’s Gate Inn The Moor, Bodenham, HR1 3HU Tel. (01568) 797286 15th Century Inn, recently restored, offering a varied menu specialising in local produce and traditional ales. David J. Griffiths, Nurseryman Compton, Bowley Lane, Bodenham HR1 3LG Tel. (01568) 797427 Open Saturdays only, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Hair Affair I 10, Walkers Green, Marden. Tel. (01432) 880598 Hair Affair II The Moor, Bodenham. Tel. (01568) 797544 Hereford Map Centre 24 & 25, Church Street, Hereford, HR1 2LR. Tel. (01432) 266322 Maps and Guides Travel Wordwide. 2 John Mitchem Steel Framed Buildings 32, Brockington Road, Bodenham, HR1 3LR. Tel/Fax. 01568 797823 Vodaphone 0831 126662 Industrial building and cost consultants. A complete steelwork and cladding service. Robert A. Parker Building Ltd. Berrington House, Bodenham, HR1 3HR. Tel. Bodenham (01568) 797548 All general building work, repairs and maintenance. Complete personal service, including preparation of plans and submission for Local Authority approval. John Potts, M.S.S.Ch., M.B.Ch.A. Surgeries at 25, Brockington Rd., Bodenham, HR1 3LR. Tel. (01568) 797413 17, Broad St., Bromyard, Herefordshire Tel. (01885) 488608 Surgical chiropodist. Registered member of the British Chiropody Association. The Railway Inn, Dinmore Tel. (01568) 797053 Riverside Inn and Restaurant. Cask Ales, Fine Wines, Home cooked food. Parties catered for. Rivers Media Services Brockington Studio, The Moor, Bodenham HR1 3HT. Tel. Bodenham (01568) 797111 Fax: (01568) 797197 Specialists in Advertising, Publicity and Publishing. Saffron’s Cross Garage And General Store A417. Bodenham, HR1 3LE. Tel. (01568) 797337 (24 hours) Shopstop early to late. Fuel, workshop, breakdown and accident recovery, cars and commercials. The Vauld Farm Nr. Marden. Tel. (01568) 797898 16th Century Former Farmhouse offering Bed and Breakfast in Country House accommodation. The Vauld House Farm Nr. Marden. Tel. (01568) 797347 A family run farm offering self catering accommodation in converted maltings, cider house and oast house with Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast

Refreshments England’s Gate Inn (note S) Queenswood Cafe, Queenswood Country Park (note V) The Railway Inn (note O) Groceries, Confectionery, Soft Drinks, etc. Bodenham Post Office and General Store. Saffron’s Cross Garage and Store, Bodenham. 3 INDEX For all the walks Ordnance Survey Explorer Series maps to a scale of 1:25,000 will be helpful and provide more information about the surroundings and distant vistas. The maps are available from the Hereford Map Centre, 24 & 25 Church Street, Hereford HR1 2LR Tel: (01432) 266322 Introduction...... 1 The Country Code...... 1 Thank you to Sponsors...... 2 Refreshments...... 3 Index to Points of Interest...... 5 Points of Interest...... 6 Walks starting from the carpark, Bodenham. Pathfinder 994 and 1017 or Explorer 202 GR 531 511 1. Bodenham to the Vern 2.5 km. (1.5 miles)...... 11 2. Bodenham, Litmarsh and Little Berrington. 4 km. (2.5 miles)...... 12 3. Bodenham, Monmarsh and the Vauld. 5.5 km. (3.5 miles)...... 14 4. Little Berrington and the River Lugg. 3.5 km. (2.25 miles)...... 16 5. The River Lugg and Bodenham Bridge 2.5 km. (1.5 miles)...... 18 6. St. Michael’s Church to Saffron’s Cross. 4.75 km. (3 miles)...... 19 7. The Vauld and Venn’s Green. 6.5 km. (4.5 miles)...... 20 8. The Henhouse Farm and Bodenham Lake. 5 km. (3 miles)...... 22 9. Bodenham and Queenswood Country Park. 8 km. (5 miles)...... 24 10. Isle of Rhea and Bowley Town. 6.5 km. (4 miles)...... 26 11. Dinmore, Queenswood and Hope under Dinmore. 10.5 km. (6.5 miles)...... 28 12. Queenswood, Burghope Wood, Kipperknowle and the Henhouse 9.5 km. (6 miles)....30 13. Litmarsh the Vauld and Ash Grove Farm. 5.5 km. (3.5 miles)...... 32 14. Bodenham Moor and Maund Common. 9.5 km. (6 miles)...... 34 Walks starting from the Parish Hall, Pathfinder 994 and 1017 or Explorer 202 GR 554 513 or from England’s Gate Inn GR 543 512 15. Calderwell and Bodenham Moor. 3 or 3.5 km. (2 or 2.25 miles)...... 36 16. Calderwell, Bodenham Lake and Bunhill. 5 or 7 km. (3 or 4 miles)...... 38 17. Dudales Hope and Maund Common. 9 or 11 km. (5.5 or 7 miles)...... 40 18. Bodenham Moor, Pool Head, Maund Common and Rowberry Court. 8 km. (5 miles)...42 19. Isle of Rhea, Bowley Town and Hampton Park. 8 km. (5 miles)...... 44 20. Whitechurch Maund, Upper Holbatch and Venn’s Green. 12 km. (7 miles)...... 46

4 INDEX TO POINTS OF INTEREST A. Peas Green and Village Centre B. Church and footbridge C. Bannut Tree House D. Rusland Cottage E. The Vauld F. Little Berrington G. Bodenham Bridge H. Saffron’s Cross I. Henhouse J. Bunhill Villa K. Bodenham Lake L. Bodenham Manor M. Broadfield Court N. Bowley Court O. Railway Inn and Dinmore P. Bodenham Mill Q. Hampton Court R. Calderwell S. England’s Gate Inn T. The Vern U. Devereux Court V. Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum W. Maund Bryan X. Rosemaund Research Centre

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We are greatly indebted to Dr. Anthea Brian, who has supplied much of the historical information contained in these notes, particularly that of the Arkwright family and their associated properties and influence in the village. We also acknowledge with thanks the research into parish and county records made by Kenneth Payton, a founder member of Bodenham Ramblers. Acknowledgment is also made to Herefordshire, The County Magazine for much of the information concerning the development of Queenswood Arboretum and Country Park, and to the Shell Book of Britain.

5 POINTS OF INTEREST (A). Peas Green and the Village Centre. (Seen on all the walks starting from the village car park). The area round the car park and up to the Church is known as Peas Green. Most of the cottages were once occupied by craftsmen. The Arkwright family, (descendants of Sir Richard Arkwright, 1732-1792, owner of textile factories and inventor of the cotton-spinning water frame), purchased nearby Hampton Court in 1809 and owned 18,500 acres and all but 2 of the houses in the village. The family were great benefactors to the village and were responsible for restoring St Michael’s Church in 1889. The Church is Early English style and mainly built in the 14th century although some of the stonework is older. The tower is of unusual construction. Shortage of money prevented its completion when the Church was built. When the Church was restored in 1889 it was intended to complete it but, once again, the money ran out. The Church is well worth a visit and more detailed information is available inside. Opposite the car park is St Michael’s School. To the left of the school is the earliest of the four vicarages still standing and was for years used as a barn. It has recently been restored to a private residence. In 1379 the Devereux family were granted a licence for a Tuesday market and the remains of the Market Cross can be seen near the War Memorial. The base is original but the post is nineteenth century and was quarried near Dudales Hope (walk 17). Nearby are the Coronation Seat; the capped well, once the main source of water for the village; the large oak tree in the adjacent field planted in 1898 to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee; and the small oak tree planted in 1995 to commemorate VE Day. A large scale map of the area showing rights of way can be inspected in the car park. Note the ancient pitched stones footpath leading to the Church and the mounting block near the lych gate. (B). The Church Footbridge over the River Lugg. (Seen on walks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,13 and 14). This is an ancient crossing place and stones of a former ford can be seen when the water is low. The turnstile dates back to at least 1925, but the bridge is more recent. The signpost was “planted” in 1991 to mark the restoration of the parish rights of way by a group organised by Bodenham Ramblers. The black and white house that you can see across the river to your right is Devereux Court (see note U). (C). Bannut Tree House. (Seen on walks 2 & 3). A bannut is a walnut. This house was once the Bannut Tree Inn. (D). Rusland Cottage. (Seen on walks 2,3,4,7 & 13). The remains of Rusland cottage can be seen at the top of the steps. It is believed to have been occupied until the 1940’s. (E). The Vauld (old name Faulde - a fold or enclosure). (Seen on walks 3, 7 & 13). The Vauld is a quiet hamlet just inside the parish of Marden, locally known as “sleepy hollow”. The Manor of Marden was given by Henry VIII to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. There are several points of interest. The Vauld House Farm, a 17th century substantial stone house standing in attractive grounds, is a working, family run, stock farm. The maltings, cider house and Victorian hop kiln have been sympathetically converted into holiday accommodation. 6 Opposite is the half timbered Vauld Farm in its peaceful setting. Built in 1510 it was the bakery for the area. The external granary steps can be seen where local legend has it that a man was shot for £5. The barns, which have been restored, are of a later period. Roy Harper, a musician, lived here for a time in the 1970’s. Both houses offer inviting family run country house accommodation. Nearby stone clad Hope Lodge is thought to have been two cottages, possibly of the same Tudor period as its neighbour. The building, which has been much altered over the years, has many exposed beams inside and one room was until 1954 used as a Methodist Chapel and, before that, used by the Salvation Army. The Vauld Farm and neighbouring Hope Lodge were both used by the BBC in the filming of their series, “The Survivors”. A little further along the road is the Little Vauld. The main building is a sensitively restored former barn with the original cottage to the rear. (F). Little Berrington Lake. (Seen on walks 2,3,4,7 & 13). This is a recent innovation built to attract wildlife, particularly wildfowl. It is fed by an ancient spring. The new building nearby is the bottling plant for the Berrington Pure Water Company. (G). Bodenham Bridge. (Seen on walks 5,6,8,10,11,14,15 & 16). The bridge was built over the River Lugg in 1816 by John Gethin. There is no weir here but nearby once stood a warehouse where goods were stored for loading into barges when the Lugg was commercially navigable up to Leominster. It is probable that the name of The Weir House nearby is a corruption of Warehouse. Oak bark was one of the cargoes shipped to the tanneries at Chepstow. Leominster Priory bells passed through when they were sent to Chepstow for recasting. They returned to Leominster in 1756. Also nearby was the village pound, the smithy, (where some of the local metal kissing gates were forged) and which is now a wormery. The octagonal building at Pigeon House is a dovecote. (H). Saffron’s Cross. (Seen on walks 6 & 10). The origin of the name is obscure. The Old Toll House was built in the 1830’s and may have replaced a toll gate at Cornett (south-east of Maund Bryan on the A417) which was sold by auction at England’s Gate on the 24th September 1835. The Ketch Gate House opposite is an old cider house. (I). The Henhouse Farm. (Seen on walks 8,9,11,12 & 16). “Hen” is Welsh for old and the history of the house has been traced back to the 17th century, when it may have been the centre of a small hamlet. It burned down, but was restored. See also Hampton Court (note Q) visible from a little further down the track. (J). Bunhill Villa. (Seen on walks 8,9, & 11). This house was built in 1837 and it then stood beside the main road out of Bodenham to the west. It was for 30 years the home of the coachman to Hampton Court until he was killed in 1881 when his coach overturned as it rounded the bend in the village. (K). Bodenham Lake. (Seen on walks 1,2,8,9,11,12, & 16). The 20 hectare site of the lake, purchased by Leominster District Council in 1994, was formed by the extraction of sand and gravel. It is the largest single expanse of water in Herefordshire. The eastern end is open to the public. A seat on the far side, between the lake and the river, provides a restful place to relax and observe the wildlife. The western end is devoted to nature conservation and the area of access is indicated by a map at the gate. A very comfortable hide has been constructed at the extreme north-west end of the area of public access. It contains a 7 log book, provided by the Herefordshire Ornithological Club, and lists the large variety of birds which have been observed. On the way to the hide you pass an old orchard with mistletoe and then two fields on the right which normally contain several varieties of deer. The hide is amongst newly planted trees. On the opposite side of the lake to the hide a gravel shelf has been constructed to encourage wading birds. 71 species of bird have made the area their breeding ground, and a further 28 species of wintering or birds of passage have also been spotted. The County Youth Service has a sailing centre located on the north bank, and there is a seat nearby. The 4 houses opposite the entrance to the lake were once almshouses built, at a cost of £1700, by the two Arkwright sisters in memory of their father, Henry Arkwright, vicar of Bodenham for 46 years. They have recently been restored and are now privately owned. (L). Bodenham Manor. (Seen on walks 8, 9,11,12 &16). Bodenham Manor was built in 1844 as Bodenham Vicarage by John Arkwright for his nephew Henry when he became Vicar. He was eventually blessed with 12 children during his stay there and employed 12 servants. The house has since been used as a special school but is now a restaurant. (M). Broadfield Court. (Seen on walks 10 and possibly19). Broadfield is mentioned in the Domesday book in 1085. It must have been a house of some importance as in 1346 a licence to celebrate mass in the private chapel was held by Margaret, widow of John de Broadfield. There is now no sign of the chapel but the land on which it stood is still called Chapel Orchard. In the 14th century the lands became the property of Dinmore Preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St John of Jerusalem but again changed hands at the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Broadfield Court is the oldest house in the parish, parts of it dating from the 14th century. It is noted for the variety of its windows and the seven gables facing south; one 12th, two 15th, three 19th and one 20th century. The Edwardian gable was demolished in 1968. Winegrowing was introduced to Herefordshire by the Romans and vines planted at Broadfield Court in 1971 now extend to 17 acres. Bodenham wine is available from the shop, as is a leaflet and booklet giving a fuller history of the house and vineyard. The gardens are open and you are invited to wander freely during the summer months. (N). Bowley Court. (Seen on walks 10 & 19). Bowley Court is an ancient site which in 1500 belonged to the Knights of St John at Dinmore Manor. The house is now much altered. (O). Railway Inn and Dinmore. (See walks 9,11, & 12). “Dinmore” either from the Welsh or Old British “Din or Dun Mawr”, “a great hill or great fortress”, or from the Old English “Dynna mor” meaning “marsh of a man called Dynna”. There are still traces of an old fort, in the form of a ditch and bank, built some 2,000 years ago. The Railway Inn was built when the railway first opened and is described as “an ornamental double cottage”. From the Inn you get a good view of the Lugg Valley. Friers Mill, another local building once owned by the Knights of St John, was located on the river but there is no sign of it now. The two railway bridges are built at different heights. The first bridge was built from bricks made on the site from clay near the river. A camp was set up here for families of workers and parish records show that 3 children were born at “The Huts Dinmore” in 1881/2 and were christened at St Michael’s Church. Their fathers’ occupations were described as “labourers at brickfields” or “contractors to the tunnel”. From the road bridge can be seen two tunnels at slightly different levels. The first one, completed 8 in 1852 at a length of 1006 yards, took two and a half years to build. The second tunnel was completed in 1891. Both are perfectly straight and the siting tower above the tunnel, which was used by the surveyor for setting out the tunnel, can be seen from the bridleway to the right when returning from Queenswood Country Park. (P). Site of Bodenham Mill. (Seen from walks 6 & 10). There was a mill here by 1264 near the junction of Riffins Brook and the River Lugg. It was demolished in 1697. The large depression was probably the mill pool and there are the remains of a weir upstream. (Q). Hampton Court. (Seen on walks 8,9, & 11). From the track just below the Henhouse look north, where Hampton Court can just be seen. It was built by Rowland Leinthall in about 1475, (and therefore is some 40 years older than Hampton Court on the River Thames in Middlesex). In 1809 it came into the ownership of Richard Arkwright, son of Sir Richard Arkwright inventor of the water frame, and remained in the family until 1912. After a series of owners it is now American owned. (R). Calderwell. (Seen on walks 15 to 20). Calderwell, seen as you cross the stile 100 metres west of the Parish Hall is described, in a directory of Herefordshire dated 1867, as a never failing spring of beautiful water, containing some remarkable properties, and formerly much used by invalids. (S). England’s Gate Inn. (Seen on walks 15 to 20). England’s Gate is probably a corruption of “Inland Gate”, or “the Gate into the Inland Field”. The house was built around 1600 and extended around 1700 as a private house. There is evidence that shoe making and brewing took place here in 1776. In 1827 it was purchased by Richard Arkwright of Hampton Court. Around 1856 it was tenanted by the sub-postmaster who combined these duties with those of landlord until the post office moved, first to a site in Peas Green, and then to its present site. The Inn, which was thatched until 1855, was sold by the Hampton Court estate in 1921. It recently came under new ownership and has been sympathetically restored. A detailed history of England’s Gate can be seen there on request. (T). The Vern. (Seen on walks 1 & 2). The Vern is the site of an ancient settlement and former river crossing. In recent times it was the home of The Vern herd, a famous breed of Hereford cattle. (U). Devereux Court. (Seen from walks over the Church footbridge and 8 & 16). Devereux Court is the black and white timber framed house seen across the river to the right from beyond the footbridge or from the left as you enter the approach to the lake. It is the 15th century original manor house of Bodenham and was the home of the Devereux family. Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, was for many years a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, but his conduct later displeased her and he was beheaded in 1601. (V). Queenswood Arboretum and Country Park. (Seen on walks 9, 11 & 12). The Country Park is part of a broad leafed forest that once stretched to the Welsh Border. The area was acquired from the Crown in the 1500’s by the Conningsby family of Hampton Court and passed to the Arkwright family in 1810. During the 1914-18 war much of the timber was felled for use as trench supports but, in 1935, 170 acres at the top of Dinmore Hill were purchased by the County Council to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V and to form the present Country

9 Park. During the Second World War caches of weapons were hidden in the woods for use by secret units of the Home Guard for sabotage in the event of a German invasion. In 1955 the arboretum was opened to celebrate the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. Since 1987 the woodland has been designated as a Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Visitor Centre was once a tannery by the River Kenwater in Leominster and was lying dismantled when, with financial aid from Sun Valley Poultry Ltd., it was purchased by the County Council for re-erection at Queenswood. The cafe was formerly the Essex Arms in Widemarsh Street, Hereford. Built some 300 years before, at the turnpike gate, it closed in 1960 and was then owned by Hereford Timber who sold it to the council for the token sum of £1. The company also paid for it to be dismantled and transferred to Queenswood. The building nearer to the road was built in the 1930’s as a holiday bungalow and then became the Jubilee Cafe until the present cafe was completed, since when it has been used as an office. Queenswood Arboretum and Country Park is open from dawn till dusk throughout the year. (W). Maund Bryan. (Seen on walks 17 & 18). As you approach Maund Bryan from Watery Lane the house across the A49 is Maund Court and over to the left, standing back in the field, is Maund Farm a stone and timber building dating back to the 15th Century. A later wing was added in the 17th Century and it has recently been restored. To your right the Old Mission House was built in 1860 by the Arkwright family as a school. In 1880 it was handed over to the Bishop of Hereford when it became a Mission Hall. In 1973 it was sold and converted to a private residence. (X). Rosemaund Research Centre. (Seen on walk 20). To the south of the green lane lies the 176 hectares (450 acres) of Rosemaund Research Centre run by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service for the benefit of consumers, farmers and growers. The farm carries out research work on all aspects of many crops including hops, cider apples, cereals, potatoes and oil seed rape; also on beef cattle, sheep and deer enterprises.

10 Bodenham to The Vern WALK 1 WALK 1 WALK 1 WALK 1 WALK 1 WALK 1 WALK 1 WALK 1 1.5 miles (2.5 km.) A Riverside walk in an area of Great Landscape Value Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park take the footpath, Church Walk, immediately opposite the school gate, (A). Enter St Michael’s churchyard and, keeping the Church on your left, continue through a metal gate and cross the River Lugg by the footbridge (B). Turn right, signposted “The Vern” and follow the riverbank to cross a stile, a footbridge and another stile. From here turn right then almost immediately left and cross the field to another stile and footbridge. Bear slightly right to a double stile and mount the bank into the field. Turn left across the field heading for a track at the left corner of a high hedge that surrounds The Vern opposite (T). Enter this track, cross a stile, and turn left up the lane for 200 metres. Just before the gateway cross a stile on your left and follow the hedge on your right until you come to a gateway where you follow the hedge on your left to a gap on your left. Keeping on the same line continue alongside the wood on your right, cross the footbridge and head diagonally left to the River Lugg footbridge and retrace your steps to the car park.

WALK 1

11 Bodenham, Litmarsh, Little Berrington A Riverside and Lakeside walk in an area of Great Landscape Value WALK 2 WALK 2.5 miles (4 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 (and 1017) GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath, Church Walk, immediately opposite the school gate. Enter St Michael’s churchyard and, keeping the Church on your left, continue through a metal gate and cross the River Lugg by the footbridge (B) . Turn right, signposted “The Vern” and follow the riverbank to cross a stile, a footbridge and another stile. From here turn right then almost immediately left and cross the field to another stile and footbridge. Bear slightly right to a double stile and mount the bank into the field. Turn left across the field heading for a track at the left corner of a high hedge that surrounds The Vern opposite (T). Enter this track, cross a stile, and turn left into the lane. Follow this quiet lane to the tee junction. With Kitten Gate opposite and Bannut Tree House (C) on your right turn left and follow this lane for 500 metres where, just after the road junction on your right, you turn left through a kissing gate. Follow the track and just after it bends right take the stile on your left (F). Beyond the lake on your left, turn right uphill, keeping the hedge on your right. Turn at the top for the view before entering the wood by a

Church Walk WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK WALK

12 stile and follow the path which leads you to steps (D) descending to a footbridge. Continue WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 WALK 2 on the same line over the field to re-cross the River Lugg footbridge and retrace your steps to the car park.

WALK 2

13 Bodenham, Monmarsh and The Vauld Quiet lanes, secluded spots and wildfowl on the lake 3.5 miles (5.5 km.) WALK 3 WALK Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath, Church Walk, immediately opposite the school gate. Enter St Michael’s churchyard and, keeping the Church on your left, continue through a metal gate and cross the River Lugg by the footbridge (B) . Bear diagonally right, signposted “Little Vern”, to a footbridge in the far corner of the field. Follow the wood on your left and at the end pass through a gap to follow the hedge on your right and through a gateway. Follow the hedge on your left until you come to a stile which takes you into a lane near Little Vern. Turn left up the lane to a tee junction. With Kitten Gate opposite and Bannut Tree House (C) on your right, turn left for 100 metres and cross the stile on your right. Follow the hedge on your right, cross another stile and bear slightly left to the next stile. Follow the hedge on your right to a footbridge and bear left to a stile and on to a track at Monmarsh End. In a few metres you will encounter the unusual sign “Trespassers will be welcome”. Turn right into the garden and cross a stile near the left hand corner of the house. BE SURE TO RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF THE OWNERS AT ALL TIMES. Cross this stile and go straight ahead to another stile and then slightly right to another stile in the hedge on your right. Cross this stile and follow the hedge, now on your left, to another stile into an open field. Bear slightly right to cross the stream by a cartbridge and bear left to a gate into a lane. Either turn left for 150 metres and take a stile on your left, follow the hedge on your left to

WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK WALK The Vauld House Farm 14 another stile and on the same line across to the corner of the field to another stile and into WALK 3 the lane. Or walk along the lane to The Vauld (E). Turn left and take the first stile on your left and cross the field.

Continue in the same direction along the lane to the tee junction, turn right for 25 metres WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 WALK 3 and go through a kissing gate on your left. Follow the track and just after it turns right, take the stile on your left (F). Beyond the lake on your left, turn right uphill keeping the hedge on your right. Turn at the top for the view of Dinmore before entering the wood by a stile and follow the path along the top of the wood which leads you to steps (D) descending to a footbridge. Continue on the same line over the field to re-cross the River Lugg footbridge and retrace your steps to the car park.

WALK 3

15 Little Berrington and the River Lugg A woodland, lakeside and riverside walk with two short sharp climbs WALK 4 WALK 2.25 miles (3.5 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

Bodenham looking south with part of the lake and Little Berrington Lake (top) WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK WALK

16 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4 WALK 4

Coddy Meadow Hill

17 River Lugg and Bodenham Bridge An easy riverside walk on level ground 1.5 miles (2.5 km.) WALK 5 WALK Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath, Church Walk, immediately opposite the school gate. Enter St Michael’s churchyard and, keeping the Church on your left, continue through a metal gate and cross the River Lugg by the footbridge (B). Turn left signposted “Bodenham Moor” and follow the river, cross two stiles and here, where the river turns left, keep straight ahead on the same line to a stile in the hedge ahead. Cross this and the next field where a stile takes you into Smeadal Lane. Turn left to the tee junction. Turn left again to cross Bodenham Bridge (G) and shortly afterwards take the kissing gate on the left passing through two more kissing gates behind the Pigeon House (G). Continue across two fields to re-enter the churchyard by a metal kissing gate and return to the car park via the lych gate.

WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK 5 WALK WALK

18 St. Michael’s Church to Saffron’s Cross, via the River WALK 6 WALK 6 WALK 6 WALK 6 WALK 6 WALK 6 WALK 6 WALK 6 Lugg and passing Toll and Ketch Gate Houses Easy 3 miles (4.75 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath, Church Walk, immediately opposite the school gate. Enter St Michael’s churchyard and, keeping the Church on your left, continue through a metal gate and cross the River Lugg by the footbridge (B). Turn left signposted “Bodenham Moor” and follow the river, cross two stiles and here, where the river turns left, keep straight ahead on the same line to a stile in the hedge ahead. Cross this and the next field where a stile takes you into Smeadal Lane. Turn left to the tee junction where you turn right for 150 metres and then left and follow Ketch Lane to Saffron’s Cross (H). With the Old Toll House opposite and Ketch Gate House on your left, turn left for about 300 metres and cross a stile on your left. Bear diagonally left and cross the footbridge. Here the right of way goes straight ahead but the landowner kindly invites you to take the more pleasing route along the riverbank. Accordingly turn right and follow the stream to the junction with the River Lugg, the site of Bodenham Mill (P). Follow the river to a footbridge and turn right along the road. Cross Bodenham Bridge (G), pass the former smithy and go through a kissing gate on your left. Follow this path behind the Pigeon House (G) and enter the churchyard through a wrought iron kissing gate and leave by the lych gate to the car park.

19 The Vauld and Venn’s Green A couple of climbs with rewarding views and an attractive hamlet WALK 7 WALK 4.5 miles (6.5 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath, Church Walk, immediately opposite the school gate. Enter St Michael’s churchyard and, keeping the Church on your left, continue through a metal gate and cross the River Lugg by the footbridge (B). Head across the field signposted “Litmarsh” to cross another footbridge and climb through the wood (D), emerging by a stile to pause for the view. Continue downhill with the hedge on your left and then turn left keeping Little Berrington Lake (F) on your right and cross the stile. Follow the track to the road at Litmarsh and walk along the lane opposite until it turns sharp left. Take the left of the two stiles opposite and cross the field to another stile to The Vauld (E). Bear left at the road junction until you come to a left bend in the road. Go straight ahead along a track with Little Vauld on your left. At the end of the track turn left to a stile which you cross and then turn right and follow the hedge to the next stile. Continue with the hedge, now on your left, to a stile into a green lane. Turn left along the green lane and then along the metalled lane to a stile on the left just beyond Venn’s Green Farm. Head straight across the field to another stile and then two more stiles

WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK WALK The Vauld Farm 20 across the lane. Follow the hedge on your left to another stile in that hedge, cross it, turn WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 WALK 7 right and continue uphill bearing slightly left to another stile on to a track. After a pause for the view continue along the track to a stile and then to another on the left just before Ash Grove Farm. Follow the fence to another stile and bear right to the farm drive where you turn left until you reach the lane. Turn right down Coddy Meadow Hill, locally corrupted to God Almighty Hill, because of its steepness, and then left at the road junction for 400 metres. Cross a stile on the left. Cross the field to a stile in the corner and keep on the same line to a stile in the far corner by the riverbank. Cross this stile and follow the River Lugg back to the footbridge and retrace your steps to the car park.

WALK 7

21 The Henhouse and Bodenham Lake View of Bodenham, possibly deer, and a seat by the lake WALK 8 WALK 3 miles (5 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath to St Michael’s Church and turn left immediately through the lych gate. Leave the churchyard by the metal kissing gate and head across the field to pass through three more kissing gates into the road by the Pigeon House (G). Turn left for 50 metres and take the bridleway on your right. Bear left at Bunhill Villa (J) and follow the bridleway uphill with views of Bodenham on your left and looking for Hampton Court (Q) on your right. Just before you reach Henhouse Farm (I), leave the farm drive and almost about turn to your left between two enclosures to reach a stile into the wood. Follow the path down through the wood until you reach the road by Bodenham Manor (L). Turn left down the road for 400 metres and then right into the track that leads to the entrance to the former gravel pits. On your right you will see a large scale map of the public lands. Go

The Church of St Michael and All Angels WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK WALK

22 through the metal gate and between the old buildings. Continue straight on, passing Bodenham WALK 8 Lake (K) on your right. On your left you will pass Devereux Court (U). Continue on the same line (roughly towards the Church) until you come to another metal gate. Through the gate turn right and follow the lakeside to a welcome seat with excellent views of the lake and its wildlife. Retrace your steps to the road, turn right to the War Memorial (A) and right to the car park. WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 WALK 8 0 0 ¼ 0.5 ½ 1.0 ¾ 1.0

23 Bodenham and Queenswood Country Park

WALK 9 WALK A woodland walk with plenty of views 5 miles (8 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School GR 531 511 or the Railway Inn (O), Dinmore, GR 512 511 Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994

From the car park walk to the War Memorial (A), turn left and follow the road with views across the lake (K) for 1.25 miles (2 km), and then a small waterfall on your right. Just after crossing the railway bridge with the tunnel entrances on your right and the old Dinmore railway station (now a private house) on your left, you come to the entrance of the Railway Inn (O). Climb the stile and the steps on your right. Bear left at the top of the steps and follow the path through the woods climbing steadily, bearing right just before the cottage garden which comes into view on your left. Cross the stile onto the A49 and turn right along the grass verge towards the traffic sign. Cross the A49 with great care and bear left into Queenswood Country Park until you meet a crossing track which you follow to your left until you reach The Lookout. After identifying the landscape features with the aid of the toposcope turn about and take one of the several paths which lead to the cafe and centre (V). Leave the centre and turn left for a short way to again cross the A49 to a bridleway which

WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK WALK The Railway Inn, Dinmore 24 you follow to the junction with another track. Turn right along this track passing Henhouse WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 WALK 9 Farm (I) and the first cattle grid to a second grid which you avoid by leaving the track and continuing to the right of the grid down the grassy bridleway. Follow this bridleway first with views to the left towards Leominster and then to the right over Bodenham. Just after Bunhill Villa (J) on your left bear right. When you reach the road turn left for a few metres and then take the kissing gate by the Pigeon House (G) on the right. Follow this path which will take you into St Michael’s churchyard (A) which you leave by the lych gate to reach the car park.

WALK 9

25 Isle of Rhea and Bowley Town A riverside walk and a moderate climb for the view 4 miles (6.5 km.)

WALK 10 WALK Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath to St Michael’s Church and turn left immediately through the lych gate. Leave the churchyard by the metal kissing gate and head across the field to pass through three more kissing gates on to the road. Turn right and cross Bodenham Bridge (G) and just beyond the road junction cross the footbridge on the left. Follow the riverbank through two fields until you meet a stream at the site of Bodenham Mill (P). Follow the stream to a footbridge. Bear left to a stile in the hedge ahead and turn right along the road for 100 metres and cross the road. Walk between the houses and follow the track to a stile on the right. Cross this and cross the field to climb steadily and follow the hedge on your right over three more stiles until you reach a track by Clayfield Cottage. Having made several pauses to admire the view, head straight up the track and turn right along the drive from Bowley Court (N) to turn right down Bowley Lane. Passing Broadfield Court (M) on your left you reach Saffron’s Cross (H). Go over the A417 into Ketch Lane (opposite), which you follow to the road junction. Turn right and walk back along the road, recrossing Bodenham Bridge (G), to the car park. WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK WALK Broadfield Court 26 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10 WALK 10

27 Dinmore; Queenswood; Hope-under-Dinmore and Bunhill A varied walk with two gradual climbs to extensive WALK 11 WALK views 6.5 miles (10.5 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School GR 531 511 or the Railway Inn (O), Dinmore, GR 512 511 Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994

From the car park walk to the War Memorial (A), turn left and follow the road with views across the lake (K) for 1.25 miles (2 km), and then a small waterfall on your right. Just after crossing the railway bridge you come to the entrance of the Railway Inn (O). Climb the stile and the steps on your right. Bear left at the top of the steps and follow the path climbing steadily through the woods up the path, bearing right just before the cottage garden which comes into view on your left. Cross the stile on to the A49 and turn right along the grass verge towards the traffic sign. Cross the A49 with great care and bear left into Queenswood Country Park (V) until you meet a crossing track which you follow to your left until you reach The Lookout. After identifying the landscape features with the aid of the toposcope turn right down the dip and up into a grassy open space. Turn right to the far side and take the path to the entrance to the Autumn Garden. Go through the gate passing the Dendrology Stone and leave the garden by the gate opposite. Turn left at the track then right along the old Leominster Coach Road for 100 metres where you turn left. Follow this lane, with views towards Leominster on the right. Where the metalled road ends turn right down the track and, where it turns sharp right at a concrete drive, enter the garden straight ahead and pass through, keeping to the hedge on your right and leave by the stile. BE SURE TO RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF THE OWNERS AT ALL TIMES. Continue on the same line to cross three more stiles in quick succession. Follow the hedge on your left and cross the next stile. Follow the hedge, now on your right, cross the first stile, ignore the second, but cross the third into the road. Walk under the railway bridge and turn right up the lane, bear left at the stone house and cross two stiles into a field. Cross the field and go over another stile to follow a path alongside Queenswood, which you enter by a gate. Continue ahead to a junction with 4 other tracks. The two to the right or the grassy track opposite by nestbox 38 will all lead you to the Countryside Centre and Queenswood Café (V). Re-cross the A49 to a bridleway almost opposite the entrance to the Centre and follow it, with the old tunnel construction siting tower through the trees on your right, until you meet a crossing track. Turn right and follow this track, passing a cattle grid by Henhouse Farm (I) on your left until you reach a second cattle grid. Do not cross this grid but follow the track to the right downhill through several gates to bear right at Bunhill Villa (J) and on to the road WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK WALK opposite the Pigeon House (G).

28 Turn left and in 50 metres go through a kissing gate on the right. Follow this path into St WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 WALK 11 Michael’s churchyard (A). Turn right through the lych gate and walk up Church Walk on to the car park.

WALK 11

29 Queenswood; Burghope Wood; Kipperknowle and The Henhouse A woodland walk, country park, several views and an

WALK 12 WALK option to visit Bodenham Lake 6 miles (9.5 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School GR 531 511 or the Railway Inn (O), Dinmore, GR 512 511 Pathfinder 994

From the car park walk to the War Memorial (A), turn left and follow the road with views across the lake (K) for 1.25 miles (2 km), and then a small waterfall on your right. Just after crossing the railway bridge you come to the entrance of the Railway Inn (O). Climb the stile and the steps on your right. Bear left at the top of the steps and follow the path through the woods climbing steadily up the path through the wood, bearing right just before the cottage garden which comes into view on your left. Cross the stile on to the A49 and turn right along the grass verge towards the traffic sign. Cross the A49 with great care and bear slightly left into Queenswood Country Park (V) until you meet a crossing track which you follow to your left until you reach The Lookout. After identifying the landscape features with the aid of the toposcope return to the path behind the toposcope and turn left and left again on the path below the toposcope. At the tee junction turn right and follow the track until you come to the Crows Foot, a meeting of 5 paths. Turn left steeply downhill (may be slippery after rain) to a flight of steps which you descend to join the Old Coach Road to Leominster. Turn left for 100 metres and then sharp right on to a waymarked path. Follow this path alongside the wood, over a stile and where it enters Burghope Wood follow a track uphill alongside the stream on your left. Turn right and immediately left at the crossing track and continue uphill on the same line to join a track from the right. Turn left for a short distance and where the track swings right, leave the wood by a stile on the left. Cross a short field and turn right down the drive from Kipperknowle Farm to join the lane. Here you can take the slightly shorter walk by continuing ahead along the lane to the junction where you turn right and then left into Queenswood Country Park and down to the Countryside Centre and Queenswood Café. Otherwise turn left down the lane following it until you again come to the Old Coach Road which you cross into the Country Park. The tracks opposite will lead you to, or near, the Centre and café. From the nearby memorial again cross the A49 with care and enter the bridleway opposite. Follow it to a tee junction and turn right and continue until you reach Henhouse Farm (I). Just through the gate leave the bridleway and take the footpath to the right which goes between two enclosures and follow it over a stile and down through the wood until you reach the road WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK WALK by the entrance to Bodenham Manor Restaurant (L). Turn left down the road for 100 metres. To visit the lake (K) and seat on the far side, adding just over 1 km. to your walk, turn right 30 opposite the former almshouses (see walk 8). WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 WALK 12 Otherwise retrace your steps to the War Memorial (A) and right to the car park.

WALK 12

31 Litmarsh, The Vauld and Ash Grove Farm Wildfowl on the lake, an attractive hamlet, and views of the Black Mountains. 2 short sharp climbs

WALK 13 WALK 3.5 miles (5.5 km.) Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park take the footpath, Church Walk (A), immediately opposite the school gate and then along the ancient cobbled footpath past the mounting block and into St Michael’s churchyard. Walk to the right of the Church, leaving the churchyard by a metal gate and cross the River Lugg by the footbridge to a signpost (B). Walk straight ahead, signposted “Litmarsh” to a footbridge and climb the steps through Ash Grove Wood bearing left at the top by the site of Rusland Cottage (D) and follow the path along the top of the wood, leaving it by a stile, straight ahead. Here there are extensive views towards Dinmore Hill. Walk downhill, following the hedge on your left and turn left at the bottom of the field, walking with Little Berrington Lakes (F) on your right, to a stile ahead. Cross the stile, turn right and follow the track round to the left until you reach the road. Turn right into the road and immediately left along the lane through Litmarsh until the lane turns sharp left at the junction with a track coming from the right. Here take the left of the two stiles opposite and continue on the same line to cross the field to cross another stile at The Vauld (E). Turn right into the road, bear left at the fork and continue through the hamlet to the last WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK WALK The Church footbridge and signpost 32 house, Norton Court, on your left. Leave the road by the stile on your left and walk up the WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 WALK 13 field through the gap ahead and turn right to follow the hedge now on your right. Cross a stile and bear left through two gates to reach a crossing track where you will get extensive views with the Black Mountains in the distance. Turn left along the track, crossing a stile on the way to Ash Grove Farm where, just before the farmyard, you take a stile on the left and then follow the fence on your right to cross another stile and continue on the same line to join the farm drive. Turn left to follow this drive until it reaches the road. Turn right down Coddy Meadow Hill, locally corrupted to God Almighty Hill, because of its steepness, until you reach the electricity sub-station on your right. Here turn left into Smeadal Lane and in 400 metres cross the stile on your left. Head across the field to a stile in the far right hand corner and continue on the same line to another stile where the hedge ahead joins the river bank. Cross this stile and follow the river on your right until you reach the footbridge and return to the car park through the churchyard.

WALK 13

33 Bodenham Moor and Maund Bryan An easy walk with some quiet lanes 6 miles (9.5 km.)

WALK 14 WALK Start:- Car park opposite St Michael’s School Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 531 511

From the car park (A) take the footpath to St Michael’s Church and turn left immediately through the lych gate. Leave the churchyard by the metal kissing gate and head across the field to pass through three more kissing gates on to the road. Turn right and cross Bodenham Bridge (G) . Shortly after passing the junction on your right go through a kissing gate on the right. Follow the hedge on your right through two more kissing gates and cross the field on the same line to a fourth gate where you bear left to a footbridge into Orchard Close. At the end of Orchard Close cross the road into Chapel Lane and walk up the lane ignoring the junction at Pool Head and continue to a bridleway sign on the right by the grain drying complex. Turn right here into Watery Lane and follow it to Maund Common (W), which you cross and turn right along the lane to pass the Old Mission House (W) on your right. Continue along the lane and bear right at the junction, through the buildings of Rowberry Court and ignoring the lane on the right, eventually reach the tee junction. Turn right for 300 metres, then turn left along Dunfield Lane until you reach a stile on your right. Cross the stile and head in the direction of the electricity pole until you reach the stream. Turn

WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK WALK Bodenham Moor. Top centre, the Parish Hall and England’s Gate Inn; Top Right, Brockington Golf Club; Bottom Left, Baches Bargain Warehouse. 34 left and, keeping the stream on your right, continue to Smeadal Lane. Cross here to a stile WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 WALK 14 in the far corner of the field and on the same line head for a stile where the hedge opposite meets the River Lugg. Follow the river on your right to a footbridge which you cross and return to the car park through the churchyard.

WALK 14 0 0 ¼ 0.5 ½ 1.0 ¾ 1.0 BODENHAM MOOR Bargains Bache’s

35 Calderwell and Bodenham Moor An easy level walk on fields and quiet lanes 2 miles (3 km.) or 2.25 miles (3.5 km.)

WALK 15 WALK Start:- Car park at the Parish Hall, or England’s Gate Inn (S) opposite Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 545 514

Leave the Parish Hall (R) and turn right along the A417 or turn left out of England’s Gate Inn (S) car park and left again at the A417 for 100 metres. Take the stile on the left at Calderwell (R) and follow the hedge to another stile where you turn left into Ketch Lane and follow it to the junction with Millcroft Road. Turn right for 150 metres and left into Smeadal Lane which you follow to a metal footpath sign. For the short walk cross the stile on the left and, keeping the hedge and stream on your left, cross another stile and shortly afterwards cross the stream by a cart-bridge on your left. For the slightly longer walk ignore the stile by the footpath sign and continue along the lane to the junction where you turn left into Dunfield Lane and continue to a stile on the left. Cross this into the field in line with the electricity pole and cross the stream by a cart-bridge. On both walks take a stile on the right immediately over the cart-bridge and head across the field to a footbridge between two poplar trees and into Orchard Close. At the end of the Close turn left up the road until you reach England’s Gate Inn (S) or cross

WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK WALK England’s Gate Inn

36 the A417 to the Parish Hall car park. WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15 WALK 15

WALK 15

Bache’s

37 Calderwell, Bodenham Lake and Bunhill Wildfowl on the lake and views from Bunhill, one

WALK 16 WALK steady climb through the wood 3 miles (5 km.) or 4 miles (7 km.) Start:- Car park at the Parish Hall, or England’s Gate Inn (S) opposite Map:- Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 545 514

Leave the Parish Hall (R) and turn right along the A417 or turn left out of England’s Gate Inn (S) car park and left again at the A417 for 100 metres. Take the stile on the left at Calderwell (R) and follow the hedge to another stile into Ketch Lane. Turn left and at the end of the lane right, cross the Bodenham Bridge (G) and later take a kissing gate on your left. Continue through two more gates, cross two fields and enter St Michael’s churchyard (A). To view the River Lugg continue on round the church, keeping it on your left, through another gate to the footbridge (B). Return and leave the churchyard by the lych gate and, ignoring the road on the right, continue on Church Walk to the car park (A) and turn left to reach the War Memorial where you turn left for 150 metres to reach the entrance to Bodenham Lake on your left (K).

WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK WALK Bodenham Village Green

38 Go through the gate and between the old quarry buildings. Keep straight on with Devereux WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 WALK 16 Court (U) on your left and continue on the same line in the general direction of the Church, pass through a metal gate and turn right to walk alongside the lake on your right. After about 250 metres you will reach a seat which offers fine views of the lake and its wild life. Retrace your steps to the road. For the short walk turn right and walk along the road back to England’s Gate (S), turn left and cross the A417 to the start. For the longer walk turn left for 350 metres and take the footpath on the right by Bodenham Manor Restaurant (L) which takes you up through the wood. Look out for deer. Leave the wood by a stile and keep on the same line across the field until you come to a track leading to Henhouse Farm (I). Turn right down this bridleway. Do not cross the cattle grid but take the grassy track to the right. Follow this keeping right at Bunhill Villa (J) until you reach the road where you turn left and walk directly back to England’s Gate Inn (S) or turn left and cross the road to the Parish Hall.

WALK 16

39 Dudales Hope and Maund Bryan One short, sharp climb, giving possibly the best views in the area

WALK 17 WALK 5.5 miles (9 km.) or 7 miles (11km.) Start:- Car park at the Parish Hall, or England’s Gate Inn (S) opposite Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 545 514

Leave the Parish Hall (R) and turn right along the A417 or turn left out of England’s Gate Inn (S) car park and left again at the A417, for 100 metres. Take the stile on the left at Calderwell (R) and follow the hedge to another stile into Ketch Lane. Turn left and, at the end of the lane, right for 50 metres to a kissing gate on your left. Follow the hedge through two more gates and cross the field ahead to a fourth gate. Bear left to a footbridge into Orchard Close and cross the road into Chapel Lane. Walk up Chapel Lane to just before a road junction from the right where a metal footpath sign in the hedge on the left points you into the drive of the cottage ahead. Enter the drive but IMMEDIATELY turn left to a stile behind the woodshed. PLEASE RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF THE OWNERS AT ALL TIMES. Follow the hedge on your left over three more stiles and where it ends bear diagonally left to another stile by a gate. Turn right along the hedge to the road. Turn right up the road for 300 metres and cross the road to walk up the drive to Dudales Hope. Just before the drive turns sharp left to the house, cross the stile in the hedge on the right and walk up the sunken lane. Cross the stile at the top of the lane and turn left to walk diagonally uphill to the far corner at the top of the field. After a pause to appreciate the view, cross the stile and the field ahead and turn right through a metal gate down the road, still with the view. Cross the A417 into Chapel Lane opposite and walk to the grain drying complex on the left. For the shorter walk continue down the lane to the end of Chapel Lane and turn right up the road back to the starting point. For the complete walk turn left alongside the grain dryer, into Watery Lane, and follow it to Maund Common (W). Cross the common and turn right, passing the Old Mission House (W) on your right and continue to the road junction where you turn right. Pass between the buildings of Rowberry Court and just over 0.5 mile (1 km) turn right at the road junction which will bring you back to Pool Head. Turn left down Chapel Lane and right at the junction opposite Orchard Close. Walk up the road to England’s Gate Inn (S) or cross the road to the Parish Hall. WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK WALK

40 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17 WALK 17

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41 Bodenham Moor, Pool Head, Maund Bryan and Rowberry Court An easy walk which includes a bridleway and quiet

WALK 18 WALK country lanes 5 miles (8 km.) approx. Start:- Car park at the Parish Hall, or England’s Gate (S) opposite Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 545 514

Bodenham Moor. Lower picture, Brockington Golf Course; centre right, England’s Gate Inn; centre left, Baches Bargain Warehouse. WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK WALK

42 Common (W), which you cross and turn right up the lane past the Old Mission House (W). WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 WALK 18 When you reach the road junction turn right and continue through Rowberry Court Farm to a lane on the right which you take back to Pool Head. Turn left and at the end of Chapel Lane turn right up the road back to England’s Gate Inn (S) or carry on to cross the road to the Parish Hall.

WALK 18

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43 Isle of Rhea, Bowley Town and Hampton Park A riverside and ridge walk with views to the Black

WALK 19 WALK Mountains and Clee and South Shropshire hills 5 miles (8 km.) Start:- Car park at Bodenham Parish Hall, or England’s Gate Inn (S) opposite Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 545 514

To complete this as a circular walk will involve a return along the grass verge of the A417. Do not be put off this rewarding walk, however, as you can enjoy the walk by turning about at any point on the ridge and retracing your steps to the stile above Clayfield Cottage. Turn left along the track to Bowley Town, right down Bowley Lane passing Broadfield Court (M) and left at Saffron’s Cross (H) to your starting point. Start from the Parish Hall and turn right, or left from England’s Gate Inn (S) for about 200 metres on the A417 to cross a stile in the hedge on the left at Calderwell (R). Follow the hedge on the right to a stile in the hedge ahead and turn left down Ketch Lane to the tee junction. Turn right for 100 metres and cross a footbridge on the right. Here the right of way goes across the field but the landowners kindly invite you to take the far more interesting and pleasant route along the riverside. Accordingly walk along the riverbank through two fields WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK WALK Hampton Court 44 until you come to a stream from the right (P). Follow the stream on your left to a footbridge WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 WALK 19 which you cross and walk diagonally left to a stile on the A417. Turn right for 100 metres and cross the road to walk up the lane through the Isle of Rhea until you reach a stile. Cross this and follow first the hedge on your right and then the line of trees to reach a stile in the top right corner of the field. As you follow the route of the old Bowley Lane to Leominster, continue steadily uphill over three more stiles, not forgetting to turn for the view towards the Black Mountains. Continue to a fourth stile at the gate below Clayfield Cottage and on to the track towards Bowley Town, which you follow for about 100 metres to a stile on your left. With Bowley Court (N) over to your right the route continues across the field, parallel to the hedge on your left. With views towards the Black Mountains on your left and the Clee and South Shropshire Hills on your right cross a stile in the hedge ahead. Continue alongside the hedge on your right and through the gate ahead into a large field. On roughly the same line walk to the left of the clump of trees in this field ahead to cross a stile in the corner of the field into Hampton Park. Walk to the left of the conifers on your right and downhill towards a cattle watering trough and a stile alongside. Cross the track and the stile and bear left to the far left corner of the field and on to the A417 almost opposite the gate to Hampton Court (Q). Cross the road and turn left to reach and walk along the grass verge to your starting point.

WALK 19

45 Whitechurch Maund, Upper Holbatch and Venn’s Green Easy walking including quiet lanes and bridleways

WALK 20 WALK offering wide views to the south 7.5 miles (12 km.) Start:- Car park at Bodenham Parish Hall, or England’s Gate Inn (S) opposite Explorer 202 or Pathfinder 994 GR 545 514

From the Parish Hall turn right, or left from England’s Gate Inn (S) for about 200 metres on the A417 to cross a stile in the hedge on the left at Calderwell (R). Follow the hedge on the right to a stile in the hedge ahead and turn left down Ketch Lane to the tee junction. Turn right for 50 metres to a kissing gate on the left. Follow the hedge through two more gates and across the field to a fourth gate. Bear left to a footbridge into Orchard Close and cross the road into Chapel Lane. Continue to the road junction. Here, with no appreciable difference in distance, you have a choice of two routes. You can either continue ahead to Pool Head and, via Watery Lane and Maund Common, to the road junction as described in Walk 18 para 2 or take the route described below and turn right. Follow this lane passing Moor Court to the tee junction and turn left continuing on through Rowberry Court to the next tee junction. Turn right and follow the lane to a metal footpath sign in the hedge on the right opposite Upper Maund Farm. Go through the gate and follow the hedge on your right bearing slightly left as you near the top of the field to a stile in the hedge ahead which you cross into the bridleway and turn right. There can be a muddy patch here after heavy rain but the bridleway is grass covered and the few other occasional patches of mud that you may encounter are more easily negotiated. With wide views to the south of this green lane, including the adjoining grounds of Rosemaund Research Centre (X), reach the lane at Upper Holbatch Farm and follow it past the entrance to Vennwood on your right. After a further 450 metres cross a stile on your right opposite to the second house on the left, Oakridge. Cross the field heading to the right of the electricity pole to the bottom right corner just to the right of the white cottage, and cross into the track which you follow to the drive and on to the road. Take the lane to Venn’s Green just left of opposite and after 500 metres, just before Venn’s Green Farm, take the stile on the right. Head across the next two fields to reach a lane which you cross and mount the hedge bank opposite. Follow the hedge on your left to a stile in that hedge, cross it, turn right and bear slightly left to another stile and on to a track. Pause here for the view. Continue then along the track to another stile and then cross another in the hedge on your left just before Ash Grove Farm. Follow the fence on your right to the next stile and bear right to the farm drive on which you turn left to reach the road. Turn right down Coddy Meadow Hill, locally corrupted WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK WALK

46 to God Almighty Hill, said to be an exclamation induced by the sight of its steepness, until WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 WALK 20 you reach the road junction where you turn left into Smeadal Lane opposite the electricity sub station. Follow this lane to the tee junction by Bodenham Bridge (G), turn right along Millcroft Road and left at England’s Gate Inn (S) to your starting point.

WALK 20

Rosemaund Farm

47 NOTES