Now that Easter is here and the coronavirus lockdown is easing, the great outdoors offers our one chance for a change of scene, so we've rounded up some favourite walks for Easter Sunday.
Follow the links for full details of routes.
A wonderful circular winter walk through woodland and along the river’s edge. A moderate 5¾ mile ramble, the walk starts at Goodrich Village Hall and follows the delightful riverbank for more than two miles, around the apex of the river’s bend, opposite Yat Rock, and takes in the memorial in Tent Meadow to The Eleven who lost their lives in Halifax Flight V9977 on June 7, 1942.
While there is one long arable field in this lovely walk, it is always very well maintained and suitable for winter. I know for certain that lots of people have done this walk from the Black Swan and enjoyed it ... An easy 4½ mile walk with surprises. Manor houses, lake, delightful wood, wonderful views, and, though there is one long arable field, it is always very well maintained and suitable for a winter walk. Mostly there and back with one minor climb, starting from The Black Swan, where, while his trusted lieutenant was directing affairs from a tent on top of Aconbury Hill, it seems Oliver Cromwell was drinking with his cronies. One disgruntled Royalist does seem to have reared his head from that direction, taking a pot-shot at Cromwell through the window of the Black Swan. The shot went wide, the Roundhead survived, the soldier was hanged and his ghost now walks the 14th century inn at night.
Setting off from Herefordshire’s most iconic viewpoint at Yat Rock, the Wye Valley Trail leads down and along a beautiful stretch of footpath, reaching the old Ross and Monmouth railway embankement close to an old tunnel which burrowed 433 yards to Symond’s Yat from a point where the Wye still has three miles to go to get there. Map: OL14, Wye Valley and Forest of Dean.
The short but hilly walk to bracken-strewn Hanter Hill from Old Radnor takes you along the Herefordshire border with Radnorshire.There are great views towards the other hills around Kington, and there are fine views across Sir Frankland Lewis’s old home, Harpton Court, in Radnor Vale to Radnor Forest. Sir Frankland’s son, Sir George Cornewall-Lewis was subjected to the indignity of having a traffic cone planted on his head, just one of the incidents to have befallen the baronet’s bronze statue in front of the Shire Hall. An MP for Herefordshire, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary and Secretary of State for War, he’s also had his head decorated with a potted aspidistra.
Knill - a Thankful Village, untouched by losses in the Great War.
Knill is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Chenille from the Old English meaning “place by the hillock”. The tranquil village is three miles south west of Presteigne, just inside the Herefordshire side of the border with Wales, and very much in the Marches. Above the village, Offa’s Dyke marks the ancient boundary between Mercia and the Welsh. The modern border with Radnorshire runs along the valley of the Riddings and Hindwell Brooks. In a stiff start to a glorious walk from the thankful village, scale Garraway Hill Wood to Rushock Hill and a fine section of Offa’s Dyke to be rewarded by 50-mile views.
Gladestry up on to Hergest Ridge.
A five-mile moderate/energetic walk, starting and ending at The Royal Oak in Gladestry. Bridle paths and no stiles, with one stiff climb. Country lane, field and open springy-turfed moorland with spectacular views from the bridle paths and Offa’s Dyke path.
Find inspiration here for more great walks
Painscastle
Discover the sad story of Rosa Blanche Williams, a mother of six, who went missing on a bitterly cold day in December 1925, lost in the snow, when her pony took her away from the route home from visiting friends in Clyro, with the gifts she had in her baskets for her children. Her body was found lying where she had come off her mount and been cut to ribbons on a barbed wire fence. She is buried in Adullam Chapel and there is also a memorial stone to Rosa to be seen when you follow the lane from The Roast Ox in Painscastle. Map: OS 188, Builth Wells.
Rotherwas and Bartonsham
By 1916, sight lines to the mound on top of Dinedor, where one of Alfred Watkin’s best known leylines starts, were embellished by the spectacle of steam trains carrying armaments to the new 300 acre munitions site at Rotherwas, where Garth Lawson’ss mother worked in the war. He suggests a two and three quarter mile easy family walk, no stiles, from Bartonsham to Rotherwas and back along the riverbank. “Alfred would have been very impressed by the planners of Greenway Bridge,” Garth observes, “obligingly placing it directly in between Backbury Hill and Broomy Hill Water Tower.” Map: OS 189, Hereford & Ross-on-Wye.
Orleton’s country lanes are the firm footing for a family walk, with some elementary signs to help with the way finding. Start your walk by heading north-west up Green Lane past the pub, and walk towards the woodland at Bircher, climbing through the trees to emerge on the edge of Bircher Common, from where you’ll see, exactly south-west, are Hay Bluff and the Northern Escarpment of the Black Mountains. Follow the finger-post leading past Woodend Farm and then the street signs to take you back. Ludlow, OS Explorer 203.
Bircher Common - Mortimer Country
In a locality which has been occupied for at least 4,500 years, the National Trust estate of Croft is enjoyed for its tranquillity, sweeping views, ancient oak and sweet chestnut trees. Just to the east is Bircher Common, visited by the Mortimer Trail and grazed by sheep and pony. Edward Mortimer, the 19-year-old Earl of March and a Prince of the Plantagenet line, cut his teeth in the battle which was to propel him to the throne of England. It was at the advance base of Croft that Edward and his war council drew up detailed battle plans and discussed sites to take on the Lancastrians with the greatest hope of success. Walk through history on a family walk over gently sloping terrain across Bircher Common.
“Men more learned than I have vexed themselves looking for his real grave,” wrote Owen Rhoscomyl about Owain Glyndwr in 1905. “Some say he did not die and that he and his men lie sleeping in a cave, buckled in their armour, their spears leaning against their shoulders, their swords across their knees. There they are waiting till the day comes for them to sally forth and fight for their land again.” In 2002 the Owain Glyndwr Society visited Scudamore’s descendants at Kentchurch Court and were taken to their old manorial seat at nearby Monnington Straddel. Though it had been a closely guarded family secret for 600 years, they were told that this is where Alice had lived and Glyndwr spent his last days and died. A prominent overgrown mound close to Monnington Court is reputed to be the Welsh prince’s final resting place. Starting above Vowchurch Common, this walk will take you past the reputed burial site.
Dilwyn
Starting at The Crown Inn in the black and white north Herefordshire village of Dilwyn, we can be musing as we go about the home of Tyrrells Crisps and war memories provoked by the old ramshackle hut which housed Dad’s Army in the Second World War. It’s an easy 3¾ mile walk, completely on quiet, level country lanes and with no stiles or livestock.
Start and finish at the Walwyn Arms at Much Marcle. A five-mile moderate ramble via country lane and orchard, by Hellens House and a newsworthy church.
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