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Circular Walk from Scar Lane

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Finding hidden footpaths and traversing fields of turnips

A circular walk starting from Scar Lane, Staunton-on-wye

Even grey days have beauty

We often visit The Scar, there are beautiful views and woodland but it’s one of those walks where you go as far as you want then turn around and walk back again (if you stick to the footpath).  So on returning from one of those ‘there and back again’ strolls I had a quick look at an old OS map we have to see if there was any way of taking a circular route on official footpaths and there was.  It doesn’t take in The Scar or views of the river, although I’ve included some photos below but begins by walking down Scar Lane, onto Gypsy Lane and finally bearing right into Brobury Lane.


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Detailed OS View

I saw one person and one car whilst walking down these lanes on what was a grey, blustery Saturday afternoon and so was able to let Bandit have a long leash.  The lanes are single track, gentle and pretty even in January.  Brobury Lane widens out and a short distance along there is a footpath to your right.  Careful as you climb the stile as it is extremely rotten and wobbly. From my quick glance at the map I had assumed that it was a fairly straight forward stroll across the fields back to Scar Lane and although the first three fields were easy to negotiate, put to grass and no stock about, the signage was sparse and I nearly missed a small bridge which was partially obscured by the hedge.


However after crossing the road which runs down to Bredwardine it became a lot more difficult to identify the route the footpath was to take and as you can see by my excursion down to Wetmore Wood, I took a few wrong turns.

Final sign at Scar Lane

I don’t know if land owners around these parts intentionally discourage walkers on their land but it would appear so. From planting right to the edge of fields, trimming footpath signs along with the hedges, and no effort to maintain styles and signage, they certainly don’t make it easy to stick to the official routes.  Finally after working my way around the edge of three turnip fields, I made it back to Scar Lane.  What probably should have been a three mile walk ended up closer to four.  Perhaps if more people walked this way it would encourage land owners and the local council to make it more accessible. So give it a try!

Bredwardine Walk

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A gentle 3 mile walk via Bredwardine bridge and church, Herefordshire.

Celtic Cross  Yesterday we decided to visit The Scar near Staunton-on-wye and collect sweet chestnuts. Unfortunately when we arrived we found that everyone else seemed to have had the same idea and there was nowhere to park along the lane.  Determined to go for a walk of some kind we carried on, entering Bredwardine, parking just before the bridge, opposite Brobury House and gardens.  Both The Scar and Bredwardine are along the route of the 136 mile Wye Valley Walk. 

Walking down the hill and across the bridge take the first style on your left and follow the footpath up to the church.  On arriving at the church we noticed that new permissive access has been given to a traditional orchard, so we had a look around and sampled some of the apples.  It was sad to see that the apples were not being harvested but were just left to rot on the ground. Having walked the perimeter of the orchard we rejoined the footpath around the church and walked through the woodland parallel to the river.  There are some fantastic old oak and chestnut trees here but alas no chestnuts for the picking.  I think the locals had probably got there before us.  Further on down the path you arrive at a good sized pond, the edges populated with bulrushes.  From here it is a gentle climb  along the path, then farm track to the road where you bear right to head back down to Bredwardine.  See the map and pictures below and view a detailed OS map here.


 


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Detailed OS Map

Eardisley Circular Walk

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A pleasant afternoon with Eardisley Ramblers Group (Herefordshire) on their first outing.

Yesterday we had a very enjoyable afternoon joining Eardisley Ramblers Group on their first outing.  The aim of the group, led by David Bennett is primarily to establish an inner circular walk around Eardisley, not the walk we went on today, and to highlight the poor state of repair to stiles, signage and the footpaths in general.

Twenty-three walkers met in The Tram car park  of various ages and abilities.  The walk had been designed so that people could easily drop off along the way during and after the first few miles if they desired. It turned out to be a lovely day with good exercise and very good company.  For more information on the group and future walks take a look at the Eardisley Community Access Point page on facebook and like it!


Directions
Follow the detailed map for precise directions, however: leave the Tram Inn, head up Woodseaves Road past Canon Ford Avenue and take the first stile on your left.  Follow the signs through two fields to join a narrow footpath running behind the Old Mill and The Barns where you exit by Eardisley Church. Go through the Millstream  Gardens estate and the field at the back onto the old tram line which joins the Almeley Road. Straight across the road following the signs into a large field.  Walking up the right side of the field at about two thirds through cross to the left, over a stile, and follow the line of trees in this field to the top. At the top turn right down a steep bank and across a rickety bridge into Hollywell Dingle. Take the high road (top path) through Hollywell Dingle and follow it right to the end. Over another stile, through a field and onto a lane leading to the A4111.  Shortly before reaching the main road there is a footpath to the left follow this across the field and exit via a gate onto the A4111. Turn left for 50 yards or so and then right into Bower Lane.  After a short distance (one field width) take the footpath into a field that you cross diagonally.  From this point the signage is pretty sparse but basically it’s all down hill from here. Keep an eye out for the few kissing gates and follow your nose!


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Detailed OS Map

Hergest Common/Grove Farm Walk

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A short but hilly walk exploring the permissive access to Grove Farm from Hergest Common, Herefordshire

The last time I walked on Hergest Common I notices that a new footpath had been opened up. So, on possibly the hottest ever recorded October day, I set off with Bandit to explore.

The great thing about Hergest Common is that, although popular, there are so many footpaths and routes that once off the standard ‘hike to the top’ walk it is rare to encounter more than a few people for your entire visit. Today though, in the unnaturally hot weather with, literally, buzzards wheeling in the sky it had a slightly eerie feel.  It was almost like being in a scene from The Day the Earth Caught Fire.

For precise instructions see the detailed OS map.  However, walking up from Ridgebourne Road onto Hergest Common, look for a kissing gate after a short distance on your left. About two thirds of the way through the first field there is another kissing gate, again on your left, where you start to descend to Grove Farm.  Once through the farm carry on down the farm track.  There is a footpath running through some woodland about halfway down the track which I imagine is the official route but it was seriously overgrown and I was only wearing sandals, so I carried on down the track to Upper Hergest.  Turn right following the road all the way up to Hergest Common farm. Then right again to take you back down through the common and back onto Ridgebourne Road.


This is a short walk, about three and a half miles but with a couple of quite steeps climbs. I took it easy, ambling along, taking photos, and completed it in a little over an hour and a quarter.  Enjoy.


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Detailed OS Map
Related Post: Hergest Ridge