Straight as an arrow ... well not quite! Wendy Sladen and Eileen Garvey from the Ramblers’ Mortimer Group lead a short linear walk to celebrate a new walking trail along the length of the River Arrow taunton-on-Arrow (not to be 1 The church and the Millennium toward the cottages. Immediately after confused with Staunton-on-Wye) Garden at Staunton-on-Arrow are both passing the cottages, turn right. This is a small village, one of five in the worth a visit. Afterwards find the narrow opens onto a small track passing between Arrow Valley that once boasted a path left between the church and the the head of a lake on your right and the Smotte and bailey castle. After passing motte down to the stile in the left hand front of the Leen Farmhouse on your left. through Pembridge the walk finishes at corner of the field. Turn right and after a In 1780 the now famous breed of Hereford Eardisland, where the ruins of another short distance fork right across the Gig cattle was first registered here and as such castle can be seen. The entire route is level footbridge. This is the first meeting with is the oldest in the world. and never far from the attractive river the River Arrow which we now follow for Arrow. the whole walk. Turn left along the river 3 Go along the farm track, cross the bank then walk across the field to the red- disused Leominster-Kington railway brick house on the other side. Go through line and then walk up the field on your the gate then walk down the lane at the right. The hedge is close on your left. At side of this house. Turn left onto the road. the end, turn left over the double stile. Walk to the junction on the main road Cross the farm track, and over another passing the Court of Noke on your left. stile which takes you onto the path skirting around New Mills Farm. The bell 2 Cross this road and go through the tower of Pembridge church can be seen gate facing you. Walk straight ahead to the from here. next gate and continue along this wide farm track with the River Arrow winding 4 Walk along the narrow path to the left its way further over on your left. Continue side of the farm buildings and finally Top: The millrace at Eardisland on this track until you see the Leen when it opens out into a wide grassy area, Above: River Arrow at Pembridge cottages ahead. Cross over the river move onto the track that leads out onto 56 HEREFORDSHIRE & WYE VALLEY LIFE October 2012 herefordshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk coUntryside life: WALK Getting there Start: Staunton-on-Arrow village hall. GR SO 370601. Finish: Eardisland carpark by war memorial GR SO 419587. 1 Maps: OS EXP 201and 202. Distance: 4 miles. Stiles: 13. 2 Nearest town: Leominster. 3 Public transport: Limited bus service 4 6 (Tuesdays) to Staunton from Eardisland and 7 Leominster. There is a regular bus service from 5 Eardisland to Leominster. Check details on Traveline 0971 2002233 or www.herefordmove.org THE RamBLERS ORDnance SUrveY Mapping © Crown copYright MEDia 045/12 The Ramblers is Britain’s biggest charity working to promote walking and improve Left: New Inn at Pembridge conditions for all walkers. There are four Below: Staunton-on-Arrow church groups in Herefordshire: Hereford, Mortimer, Ross-on-Wye and Leadon Vale. For more information contact Tom Fisher: 01886 821544. Email:[email protected]. the road into Pembridge. The picnic area beside the picturesque three-arch bridge and car park make a good place for a rest. There is much in Pembridge to interest visitors. Among its 50 listed buildings it boasts an open-sided mediaeval market greeted by the sight of the black and white This walk is taken hall and a 13th century church with an buildings of Eardisland. from the book unusual detached bell tower. There are Arrow Valley Trail several good places to find refreshments 7 Turn left, and after this first field go which describes in including the amusingly named New Inn, over the stile into a small meadow. Cross detail the entire built in 1311! it then walk round by the hedge to the route of 34 miles, double stile. Go over, then continue set out in four 5 Cross the bridge and go down to the slightly right, skirting the hawthorn trees, sections, and was river bank (on the other side to where you to the next stile. Go on again and after a originally devised arrived). The route for some time now is small rough patch you will reach the by Greta Pennington who submitted a number over very flat land as it is the flood plain of kissing gate that leads to the road running of walks for this magazine. The walk begins in the river. Walk along this track to the through Eardisland. This is a fitting end the hills above Kington and ends near kissing gate and then proceed for some for this walk as it was here that Greta Leominster. In the later stages, short circular distance over the long meadow, with the Pennington lived and worked for many walks could be developed from the described hedge on your right. After crossing the years on local footpaths. Turn left to reach route. double-gated footbridge, carry on over the the centre of the village and car park. After Greta Pennington’s death in November next four fields. You eventually hear the The old black and white buildings of 2011, it was completed by members of the sound of a weir as the river comes closer. Eardisland have now been joined by some Mortimer Group of the Ramblers. The book, 20th century examples, built by Border beautifully illustrated with photographs of the 6 Cross the stile into a large field and Oak. Other points of interest in the village countryside and villages along the trail, can be walk ahead. The millrace is close beside include the Staick House, the church, the obtained from Leominster Tourist Office (£4) or you on your left. Continue, ignoring the Georgian dovecote, now a community by post (£5) by contacting bridge, and where the field narrows into a shop, and of course the motte. As with 01568 720219. All profits from sales go to St triangle you will see on your right a double Pembridge, there are several good places Michael’s Hospice. stile with steps. Go up, and you will be for refreshments. n herefordshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk HEREFORDSHIRE & WYE VALLEY LIFE October 2012 57.