When we arrived at Goodleigh Hill CL yesterday it was a cracking afternoon, but overnight the weather has changed and the predicted cold wintery spell has arrived. I had planned for us to walk on the Malvern Hills today, however the fall of snow in the early hours has put Lynnie off. So instead we are going to walk from the caravan and head onto Bredon Hill.
We walked to the top of Bredon Hill on our first stay at this site, but today’s route to and from the summit will bit different. Leaving the site by the pedestrian access we walk down to the road and then turn left heading uphill into Pensham Hill. As the road levels we take a footpath on the right beside a post box. The path follows a driveway and then goes through a gate to enter a field.
This is the route of the Wychavon Way, a forty mile long distance route between Droitwich Spa and Broadway. We go through the field with the hedge to our right to reach a kissing gate. We now follow a clear path across fields heading towards Home Farm in Pensham.
The path leads to a minor road where we turn left and walk through the village. At a junction of roads we continue straight on.
At the end of the lane we turn left, still on the route of the Wychavon Way and follow the farm track which passes glasshouses at Sandilands. After passing a barn which is being converted into a home we reach a junction of paths. Here we turn right still on the route of the Wychavon Way. The map shows the footpath going diagonally across a field but there is a permissive path around the field edge which we choose instead. When possible I prefer to take a route that avoids damaging crops.
The permitted path turns left at the corner of the field and soon rejoins the main footpath continuing along the edge of the field. We reach a point where the footpath goes through bushes, when we walked this path last year the path was overgrown and impassable, so I continue along the edge of the field towards glass houses and then turn right to follow a track downhill to rejoin the main footpath which goes over a footbridge into a field.
Over the bridge we turn to the right and the path soon turns besides the River Avon and we continue along with the river on our right.
Through a gate we keep going along a broad grassy path besides the river.
After going through another gate the footpath turns away from the river and heads up a lane towards Great Comberton. At a junction with a road we turn right to walk into the village and then fork right by a telephone box to continue through this attractive village.
At a way-marker for a footpath to Nafford we turn right following the path to a wooden gate which we go through and continue downhill.
We are now on the route of the Shakespeare’s Avon Way, this is an eighty-eight mile long distance trail following the River Avon from its source at Nasby in Northamptonshire to Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire.
At the foot of the hill we go through another gate and then follow the path as it turns to the right and heads through a field of sheep pasture.
After another gate into a field we get fine views over the River Avon.
Keeping the fence line close to our left we continue through the field and then descend to reach a footbridge over a stream. Over the bridge we cross a field to a gate and another field. The path heads towards Nafford House and then after going through a kissing gate reaches a minor road.
We turn left along the road to reach a junction where we turn left and then within fifty metres take a minor road on the right, Woollas Hill, going towards Woollas Hall. After passing Woollas Hall Farm we reach a gate by a cattle grid, here the footpath continues on the tarmac drive still heading towards Woollas Hall.
At a crossing of paths we leave the tarmac driveway going over a stile and continuing uphill on a grass path. We have now rejoined the Wychavon Way and it has started to snow.
We reach a gate besides a cattle grid and continue along a track until we reach a junction, here the footpath goes to the right into a field and the route is well waymarked as it ascends the hill.
After going through a gate the track heads uphill towards trees.
We go through another gate and quickly reach a junction of paths where we turn left and follow a broad path in the shelter of trees.
Leaving the trees we are exposed to the full force of the wind and snow. It is suddenly a bit bleak and the visibility is significantly reduced. We go through a gate and continue to Parsons’ Tower.
The tower was built in the mid 18th century for John Parsons, he was the local MP and squire at nearby Kemerton Court, apparently he intended to use it as a summer house so he could enjoy the views over the surrounding countryside.
The tower sits on the edge of an Iron Age hillfort known as Kemerton Camp, we are unable to see any of the fort because of the poor visibility.
Our route continues in a north easterly direction to reach a toposcope, I recall from our last visit enjoying some good views, however we can’t even see Parsons’ Tower from here.
From the toposcope we continue in a north easterly direction to reach a stone wall and then continue on the Wychavon Way with the wall to our left.
After passing through a gate we continue along to reach a junction of paths where we fork left staying with the Wychavon Way as it descends to a crossing of paths at which point we turn left to follow a path heading north downhill towards the edge of Doctor’s Wood.
The path leads to a pasture field which we cross to reach Comberton Wood.
In the woods the route descends steeply on a path, which has been well used by horses, and then reaches a track where we go right. Soon the track leaves the trees and heads downhill between fields.
We stay with the track at a crossing of paths and then at the next junction of paths turn left on a bridleway with a well-hidden fingerpost pointing towards Great Comberton.
We keep with the bridleway to Great Comberton, it is easy to follow, passing through a couple of fields to join a track into the village.
In the village we turn right at a junction and reach the telephone box and then go right before taking the left into Quay Lane leading us back towards the River Avon at Comberton Quay.
We are now on the route we covered earlier in the walk and turn right to walk along the grassy area besides the river. This time at a junction of paths we turn right to walk beside the site of a former golf course which is being turned into a mobile home park.
We go through a kissing gate and follow the grassy path besides the fence line and then reach a recently ploughed field. The path is waymarked and continues on the muddy margin with the field edge on our left to reach a footbridge over a stream.
After the bridge the map shows the footpath crossing a field, but it is clear from the worn route that locals use the field margin, so we turn right and then at a hedge line turn left and continue uphill to reach a track.
Staying with this track, which is the route of Shakespeare’s Avon Way we head back to Pensham Hill. At a road junction we turn right and continue along to reach the pedestrian entrance to Goodleigh Hill CL.
Our walk has covered just over eleven miles and despite the wintery conditions and poor visibility on Bredon Hill it has been a very enjoyable bit of out.
You can view this 11.3 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
To follow our walk, you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map – 190 – Malvern Hills & Bredon Hill
8th March 2023
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2023)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.