DOCSLIB.ORG

Bircher Walk

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bircher Walk WALK If you go down to the woods today… Greta Pennington of the Mortimer Group of The Ramblers leads the way through the trees of Bircher Common to the top of Croft Ambrey his walk takes you through round to the woodland ahead, then century charcoal was produced to very varied woodland, with walk uphill for about 300 feet, to the supply the forge at Bringewood, to interesting specimens of padlocked wooden gate and stile (2). the north. beech, Spanish chestnut, Archaeologists have found evidence of Toak, many of them very old, (there are possibly prehistoric and Romano British 6) Just after you pass the small stone 300 veteran trees on the Croft Castle settlements on the Common, as well as building, at the lower end of one of the estate) as well as many types of medieval and 18th century occupation. pools, take the track on the right that coniferous trees and birds, butterflies, Follow the well-defined track, climbs up the side of the hill, until you and plants to be found in season. through the woods, round the hillside come out on to the minor road to Croft This is a very long settled part of to the notice board for the Forestry Castle, passing the car park on the right. Herefordshire, with indications of Commission – Croft Wood. (3) There The building is an old pump house and habitation dating back several are very large beech trees in this section. there is a water wheel inside. In the late thousand years. Cross to the other side of the valley and 18th and 19th century many carriage go down the right hand side of the rides were constructed in the woods but 1) On Bircher Common, walk directly valley on a good track (4). This is most are now overgrown. uphill, by any of the small paths, for Fishpools Valley and you will see the At the end of the car park follow the about 200 yards, at the same time pools just below you on the left. Look road round to the right and walk uphill slanting slightly to the left, until you out for the old Lime Kiln on the right to the bridle gate. Croft Castle tea come out above the vegetation, onto the (5). The Fishpools date from the rooms are to the left (7). Croft Castle is open common land. Go left to contour medieval period. In the 18th and 19th a National Trust property and for West to the Black Mountains WALK To view a larger version of this map visit THE WALK www.herefordshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk 11 Start/Parking: Bircher Common GR 466662. Leave the B4362 by the war memorial between 10 Cock Gate and Bircher, and drive up Welshman’s lane to the other side of the cattle grid onto Bircher Common Maps: OS Explorer 203 Distance: 6.5 miles 9 3 Grade: Moderate with a steady uphill 4 walk to the top of Croft Ambrey at 8 2 over 1000 feet above sea level Stiles: Five 5 6 1 Nearest town: Leominster and Ludlow 7 Refreshments: Tea rooms at Croft Above Fishpools Valley Castle, tel: 01568 780246 Right The skeleton of an ancient tree Toilets: At Croft Castle seen en route Public transport: None B4432 MAP COURTESY OF THE ORDNANCE SURVEY non-members there is an entrance fee for castle grounds and parking. There View over Croft Castle has been a castle here for a thousand The Ramblers years and the Croft family has been The Ramblers is associated with the history of this part Britain’s biggest of the Marchlands throughout this time. charity working The main part of the castle dates from to promote late 14th century and belonged to the walking and improve conditions Croft family. In 1746, the property for all walkers. In Herefordshire passed to Richard Knight, the son of a there are four groups: Hereford, Shropshire ironmaster, but was It is possible to see Mortimer, Ross-on-Wye and repurchased by the Croft family in ❝ Leadon Vale. 1923. St Michael’s church dates from peregrine falcons, buzzards For more information contact about 1300. and ravens as they hunt Tom Fisher, tel: 01886 821544 Follow the track round to the left and ❞ or email: [email protected] then uphill to the stile and the gate (8). The path now goes slightly left to a small clump of old chestnut and oak and then goes uphill. Follow this up up, and round, passing through several excavated in the 1960s, it was well from here. Continue along the trees, before continuing uphill. Walk to until you reach the gravelled track. Turn of the ramparts and ditches that were established that here, there had been a top, going east, down to the stile, go the top of the field, keeping the hedge right along this. After about 200 yards, once part of the defence system of the row of rectangular buildings. Some very right to the gate and then down the to the right. On this hillside there is a take the grass track to the left. Ladyacre fort. Having twisted back on itself, the fine metal work plus pottery was wide stretch of grass to the path line of very old chestnut trees, some of Plantation is to your right and Yatton path comes out on the top of the fort, to excavated. The population of below. Follow this to the left, up which have died, but remain attractive Hill on the left. Follow the grass track give a 360° view (10). Herefordshire at that time was engaged through the woods, of Langham in their skeletal shapes. Over to the left until you reach the path that crosses at in farming and the size of this fort Vallet to the next gate. Go through the views to the Black Mountains and right angles. Turn left and go down, The Iron Age hill fort, the oldest of the indicates that large number of people the gate, straight on to the next gate the Brecon Beacons open up. At the top slightly, to the gate and stile (9). (To the 30 hill forts in Herefordshire is thought lived in the area. and go right on to the top of Bircher of the field go through the large gate on left is a narrow track that runs back to date from 1050 BC. It was extended Immediately to the north is the Common (11). This is Whiteway the left, cross the grass to the next gate, along the edge of Yatton Hill. There are in 450 BC and again in 390 BC. Leinthall Earls stone quarry. Beyond the Head. This was one of the trade keeping the fence on your right and seats along this track and it is possible Occupation finally ended in 48 AD. quarry, you can see the Wigmore Rolls routes for transporting salt. Several walk on to the next gate and stile. to see peregrine falcons, buzzards and The fort covers 32 acres and from the and the Shropshire Hills; Clee Hill lies of the manors in Herefordshire had View from Radnor Hills Follow the wide grass path that runs ravens, as they hunt along this edge.) top you can see, below, some of the further east; then round to the Malvern saltpans in Droitwich along the edge of the woodland. When From the gate and stile, cross the stile ramparts and ditches that encircled this Hills. To the south, across the Go down and over to the left, to the path forks, after about a third of a on the right and follow the grass track, triangular shape. Because the hill is so Herefordshire Plain, the Sugar Loaf and Oaker Coppice and follow down mile, take the right hand track, to keeping to the left, leading up to the well wooded it is difficult to appreciate the Skirrid can be seen, while westwards round the edge of the woodland to continue straight on through the woods. top of Croft Ambrey, an Iron Age hill the nature of the hill fort from a are the Black Mountains and the Brecon its lowest point, then continue down Eventually the path bends to the right fort. The path gradually winds its way distance. When the top five acres were Beacons. The Marchlands show up very slightly left to where you parked. ■ 72 November 2010 www.herefordshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk www.herefordshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk November 2010 73.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Huguenot Merchants Settled in England 1644 Who Purchased Lincolnshire Estates in the 18Th Century, and Acquired Ayscough Estates by Marriage
    List of Parliamentary Families 51 Boucherett Origins: Huguenot merchants settled in England 1644 who purchased Lincolnshire estates in the 18th century, and acquired Ayscough estates by marriage. 1. Ayscough Boucherett – Great Grimsby 1796-1803 Seats: Stallingborough Hall, Lincolnshire (acq. by mar. c. 1700, sales from 1789, demolished first half 19th c.); Willingham Hall (House), Lincolnshire (acq. 18th c., built 1790, demolished c. 1962) Estates: Bateman 5834 (E) 7823; wealth in 1905 £38,500. Notes: Family extinct 1905 upon the death of Jessie Boucherett (in ODNB). BABINGTON Origins: Landowners at Bavington, Northumberland by 1274. William Babington had a spectacular legal career, Chief Justice of Common Pleas 1423-36. (Payling, Political Society in Lancastrian England, 36-39) Five MPs between 1399 and 1536, several kts of the shire. 1. Matthew Babington – Leicestershire 1660 2. Thomas Babington – Leicester 1685-87 1689-90 3. Philip Babington – Berwick-on-Tweed 1689-90 4. Thomas Babington – Leicester 1800-18 Seat: Rothley Temple (Temple Hall), Leicestershire (medieval, purch. c. 1550 and add. 1565, sold 1845, remod. later 19th c., hotel) Estates: Worth £2,000 pa in 1776. Notes: Four members of the family in ODNB. BACON [Frank] Bacon Origins: The first Bacon of note was son of a sheepreeve, although ancestors were recorded as early as 1286. He was a lawyer, MP 1542, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal 1558. Estates were purchased at the Dissolution. His brother was a London merchant. Eldest son created the first baronet 1611. Younger son Lord Chancellor 1618, created a viscount 1621. Eight further MPs in the 16th and 17th centuries, including kts of the shire for Norfolk and Suffolk.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 to 2020
    Summary The Croft Forest Design Plan outlines the felling and restocking areas for Croft Wood, Oaker coppice, Bircher Coppice and Yeld wood that lie in North Herefordshire. The design plan area consists of a total area of 253ha of woodland and lies 8km Northwest of Leominster, Herefordshire. The plan details management operations including felling and restocking for the next 10 years with outline proposals for the next 50 years. The main objectives for the Forest Design Plan are the continued production of commercial conifers on secondary woodland areas, restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), conserving Ancient Woodland Sites, creating new open broadleaved woodland, conserving the old veteran trees and creation of new open habitats within the forest, all of which will enhance the woodlands biodiversity and landscape value. The existing commercial conifer stands will be managed using a clearfell and restocking programme with stands being felled at around their economic felling age. On PAWS sites selective felling and small group fellings will be used to open the canopy releasing existing broadleaves and encouraging natural regeneration. Douglas fir will be the primary species in the next rotation on secondary woodland sites and broadleaves (favouring indigenous species) in the PAWS and AWS stands. The forest design plan will incorporate any features of cultural significance, veteran trees and open woodland habitats into its design to ensure these can be maintained and conserved while forestry operations are carried out. Forestry Operations 2010 to 2020 Woodland Name Grid Total Felling (ha) Natural Restocking Open Space Reference Area Regeneration (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) Croft SO 349 622 147 24 4.3 12.7 7 Oaker SO 363 625 39 6.9 6.9 Bircher SO 323 664 30 2.3 2.3 Yeld SO 328 675 37 0 Forestry Commission England - West Midlands Forest District - Croft Forest Design Plan Contents: Page No.
    [Show full text]
  • 98. Clun and North West Herefordshire Hills Area Profile: Supporting Documents
    National Character 98. Clun and North West Herefordshire Hills Area profile: Supporting documents www.naturalengland.org.uk 1 National Character 98. Clun and North West Herefordshire Hills Area profile: Supporting documents Introduction National Character Areas map As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment White Paper,1 Biodiversity 20202 and the European Landscape Convention,3 we are revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas North (NCAs). These are areas that share similar landscape characteristics, and which East follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment. Yorkshire & The North Humber NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform West their decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a East landscape scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage Midlands broader partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will West also help to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. Midlands East of Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features England that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each London area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental South East Opportunity (SEOs) are suggested, which draw on this integrated information. South West The SEOs offer guidance on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future.
    [Show full text]
  • THE REDISCOVERY of the KNIGHT FAMILY ARCHIVE and ITS IMPORTANCE to EXMOOR Rob Wilson North Introduction and Background at the He
    SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS THE REDISCOVERY OF THE KNIGHT FAMILY ARCHIVE AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO EXMOOR Rob Wilson North Introduction and Background family, Richard Payne Knight and Edward Knight At the heart of Exmoor National Park is the former were highly respected collectors and connoisseurs. royal forest of Exmoor. The forest has its origins They have been described as the ‘Light Knight’ in the centuries before the Norman Conquest and and the ‘Dark Knight’ respectively because of the it existed until 1815. During this thousand-year tendency of one to be in the public eye whilst the long period the forest, which comprised open other courted obscurity (Lane 1999); Recognising moorland, was used primarily for livestock grazing their significance certainly enables us to form a in the summer with animals being brought from more balanced view of the Knight dynasty. The nearby and as far away as Tawstock in north Devon family’s interests in agricultural improvement also (around 20 miles) (Siraut 2009). The history of began at this time so that, by the early nineteenth the royal forest, its development, operation and century, their work was described across the county administration has been exhaustively set out by of Worcestershire as ‘spirited cultivation’ (Pitt MacDermot (1911) whose book The History of 1810, xii). John Knight therefore came to Exmoor the Forest of Exmoor is still the key source. More from a practical family of iron masters, notable recently, the Victoria County History produced a connoisseurs and highly respected land improvers. well-received publication series which included He bought Exmoor against a background of success Exmoor – The Making of an English Upland (Siraut and wealth in the west midlands over several M 2009), which provides fresh information on the generations and without any previous direct forest.
    [Show full text]
  • “Functional Picturesque”: Richard Payne Knight and Uvedale Price in Herefordshire’, the Georgian Group Journal, Vol
    Brilliana Harley, ‘“Functional Picturesque”: Richard Payne Knight and Uvedale Price in Herefordshire’, The Georgian Group Journal, Vol. XXIV, 2016, pp. 135–158 TEXT © THE AUTHORS 2016 ‘Functional PictURESQUE’: RICHARD PAYNE KNIGHT AND UVedale PRICE IN Herefordshire BRILLIANA HARLEY Richard Payne Knight and Uvedale Price pioneered inextricably entwined. Knight, born at Wormsley, a rebellion in landscape design in the late eighteenth grew up as a neighbour to Price at Foxley; they century. These two Herefordshire squires rejected the became friends, began managing their estates at prevalent and popular style of Lancelot ‘Capability’ similar times, and constantly referred to one another Brown, and used the estates they had inherited in letters. Price often informs us of Knight’s activities to stamp their own Picturesque imprint on the and he records Knight being ‘very much fatigued’ by Herefordshire landscape. This article uses Knight’s a Snowdon climb.2 Their published works respond and Price’s writings, together with first-hand to each other, and Knight dedicated The Landscape, observations of a number of other estates and parks in a didactic poem, to Price. Close links with other Herefordshire, to argue that their Picturesque legacy Herefordshire gentry, and their geographical had a far more lasting impact than ‘Capability’ isolation, meant that ideas and practitioners were Brown’s more celebrated influence. It also includes a shared. The Knight family was related to Thomas study of their close involvement in the management Johnes, who lived and carried out improvements and financial organisation of their estates to show at Croft Castle and Hafod (Cardiganshire/Dyfed), that their concept of the Picturesque was both and owned Stanage (Radnorshire/Powys) at one functional and driven by aesthetics.
    [Show full text]
  • Goths and Vandals: Restoring Historic Buildings in Georgian Herefordshire’, the Georgian Group Journal, Vol
    David Whitehead, ‘Goths and Vandals: Restoring Historic Buildings in Georgian Herefordshire’, The Georgian Group Journal, Vol. XVIII, 2010, pp. 115–128 TEXT © THE AUTHORS 2010 GOTHS AND VANDALS: RESTORING HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN GEORGIAN HEREFORDSHIRE DAVID WHITEHEAD This is the second part of a study of attitudes to Gothic in preserving a cathedral with its Gothic shell and architecture in eighteenth-century Herefordshire, the Romanesque heart. In this way Knight sought to first half of which appeared in last year’s Journal. It ensure that his new ‘castle’ would not be mistaken focuses on the rebuilding of two important buildings – for a piece of conventional Gothic revivalism. In this the Market Hall in Hereford and Kentchurch Court – he was generally successful, for, as Richard Colt and throws new light on the activities of two architects Hoare pointed out in , Downton ‘was neither an who carried out important work in the county, ancient castle nor a modern house’. The role of Thomas Farnolls Pritchard and John Nash. Thomas Symonds in the creation of Downton was eclipsed by his failure to save Hereford Cathedral he earlier part of this paper pursued artisan from collapse in , and only a sketch for a new Tattitudes to Gothic within the precincts of Bridewell on the Castle Green at Hereford, dated Hereford Cathedral . Here were to be found , suggests that, had Symonds lived longer, he craftsmen who could replicate the style and detail may have revealed more of the lessons he had learnt necessary to maintain a Gothic cathedral. Guided in at Downton, producing other buildings in the by Browne Willis and Francis Smith of picturesque Gothic style.
    [Show full text]
  • STANAGE PARK Ref No PGW(Po) 24 (POW) OS Map 148 Grid Ref SO
    STANAGE PARK Ref No PGW(Po) 24 (POW) OS Map 148 Grid Ref SO 336723 Former County Powys Unitary Authority Powys District Radnorshire Community Council Knighton Designations Listed Building: Stanage Park (House) Grade II*, Lodge (school) Grade II, South gateway Grade II, Stable court Grade II, North gateway and screen walls Grade II, Game Larder Grade II, Bridge in east park Grade II. Site Evaluation Grade I Primary reasons for grading Outstanding picturesque parkland laid out by the famous landscaper Humphry Repton (1752- 1818). The last and most complete of his three recognised Welsh landscape commissions. Repton's picturesque parkland improvements, castellated house and enclosed garden survive almost intact and are recorded in a 'Red Book', still kept at the house. Later nineteenth-century arboretum and formal terraced gardens lie to the north and west of the house. Type of Site Extensive and intact picturesque park land around romantic, castellated house. Formal gardens. Victorian arboretum. Main Phases of Construction c. 1803, c. 1880 SITE DESCRIPTION Stanage Park is set on a rise between two hills near the centre of an outstanding picturesque parkland. Two drives, one from the north-east, the second from the north- west approach the house through this landscape through the east and west parks. Through the natural landform and the position of the drives the house remains cleverly obscured from view until the final approaches. The house is composed of a main, early nineteenth century, rendered asymmetrical north block of two and three storeys high, which overlooks the gardens to the north and east, with formal later Victorian additions to the south and an attached, irregular service range on the west.
    [Show full text]
  • NEWSLETTER March 2012
    Living History NEWSLETTER March 2012 Nature Notes This Spring has been particularly warm with record temperatures in March and below average rainfall. As a result the following unusual sightings were all seen around the Parish in January. Fledged Blue Tits. Daffodils in flower. Bats in Yarpole village. Primroses in flower. Bumble Bees collecting nectar. Golden Jubilee Celebration We plan to have a display as part of the Parish Jubilee Celebration in July. Any members with photos, souvenirs or reminiscences regarding the 1952 Accession, the1953 Coronation or the 1977 Silver Jubilee that could be loaned for this display should contact Rhianon Turrell on 780677 or Ron Shaw on 780770. Open Meeting Our next meeting is at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 18th April at the Parish Hall. Peter Holliday the former Leominster librarian will be giving a talk on Victorian Leominster, please come along and bring your friends and neighbours. Tickets are only £2.50; this includes a glass of wine and are available from the Shop or Norman Taylor on 780243. Subscriptions Subscriptions for 2012 are now overdue. They can be paid to Audrey Bott either by leaving them at the shop addressed to her or sending them to Living History March 2012 1 Audrey at Horizons, Green Lane, Yarpole (tel:01568780489) Cheques should be made out to “Living History” for £6.50. Articles The following articles accompany this edition of the Newsletter: Lucton War Memorial by Ian Mortimer Yarpole & Croft War Memorial by Ian Mortimer Methodist Church by Tony Mears We have an expanding programme of articles for future issues and we always welcome proposals for articles.
    [Show full text]
  • Settlement Patterns Vers
    Settlement Patterns and landscape morphology in the parishes of Croft and Yarpole and Lucton Croft and Yarpole Parish and Lucton Parish lie in the north west of Herefordshire about 5 miles north of Leominster. The land within the two parishes lies between about 80m AOD and 280m at their highest point just below Croft Ambrey hillfort. The south western part of the parishes is undulating country on the Silurian Raglan mudstone formation whilst to the north-west, the land rises sharply onto the Silurian Whitcliffe formation, which forms a ridge of high ground between the parish and Wigmore some 3 miles to the north-west. The elevated parts of the two parishes are occupied by the Croft Castle estate to the south-west, a National Trust property based around a castle surrounded by extensive woodland and parkland. To the north-east, Bircher Common, also owned by the National Trust, is a large open area of common land with patches of woodland. The lower parts of the parish are largely rural, and a mix of pasture and arable land. There is some evidence of early prehistoric settlement in the area, such as the burial of a neolithic child from Aymestry to the west, but little is known of settlement patterns within this period. In the later prehistoric period, settlement was probably concentrated on the large hillfort of Croft Ambrey which lies at the summit of the high ground above Croft Castle, slightly over the parish boundary. Excavations within the hillfort in the 1960s demonstrated that a town with a well planned and long lived street pattern may have supported up to a thousand people.
    [Show full text]