For more than ten years our trips away have involved the caravan. Occasionally when on a multi-day walking trip I stop in bed and breakfast accommodation, but as a couple our travel has been caravan focused so we have not ventured into the world of holiday cottages. This week we thought we would give it a try. Our chosen destination is Ludlow, a town we have only briefly visited in the past and one that promises a range of good eating places and plenty of local interest, plus the opportunity for me to explore a new area and bag a few new trigs.
We have chosen a small one bedroom cottage in Lower Broad Street conveniently located for the centre of town. After driving yesterday I am not keen to use the car so decide to start my walk from the cottage. Lynnie has studied the weather forecast and with over 70% chance of rain all day has decided she would prefer to wander around the town.
Leaving the cottage I head up the road passing the Wheatsheaf pub, apparently it has been operating as an inn since 1668. I go through the Broad Gate it was erected in the 13th century as one of four main gates into the town and is now the only one remaining.
At the top of Broad Street with the Butter Cross in front of me I turn left. The Butter Cross is an old market hall, built around 1764, as the name suggests the ground floor was originally a butter market. Over the years the rooms above have had various uses including housing the Town Council, a boys charity school and the Ludlow Museum.
On reaching the market I spot Price’s Bakery and pop in for a bun to supplement my lunch. The friendly service includes a number of questions about why I am going walking on a day when most sane people wouldn’t venture outside. I explain the joys of walking in the rain, but don’t think I manage to convince the shop assistants.
My route out of the town will be over Dinham Bridge, the quickest route would be via Dinham Street but I choose to explore a bit and wander down Mill Street and then turn left into Camp Lane which leads to Dinham where I turn left and head downhill to the bridge.
This bridge was built across the River Teme in 1823 by Thomas Telford.
Crossing the river I stay beside the minor road, Lower Wood Road, as it gradually heads uphill. At a junction with a No Through Road I turn right and soon reach a footpath sign on the left for the Mortimer Trail.
I take this path and steadily ascend through woodland, I keep with the Mortimer Trail way markers as they fork right on a permissive path. The Mortimer Trail is a 30-mile long distance path between Ludlow and Kington in Herefordshire and is named after Roger Mortimer (1287 – 1330) who owned Ludlow Castle, his family continued to live there for the next six generations. In the 1320’s Mortimer became romantically involved with Queen Isabella, the estranged wife of Edward II. Following Edward’s murder at Berkeley Castle in 1327 Mortimer assumed the role of regent and became the virtual ruler of England. Having many enemies among the other barons resulted in him being arrested and sentenced to death. He was executed at Tyburn in London in October 1330.
The path reaches a road which I cross and then take a track into Mortimer Forest. There are a network of paths in these woods but I stay with the Mortimer Trail way markers and follow a broad track towards Upper Evens.
On reaching a bench at Upper Evens I turn right, leaving the Mortimer Trail and follow a narrower path which heads west through the trees to reach a sunken track. Here I turn left and follow the track towards Mary Knoll House.
Passing Mary Knoll House I reach a minor road where I turn left and walk beside the road for a few hundred metres to reach a forestry track into the Hazel Coppice section of Mortimer Forest.
There are warning signs of forestry work, but I can’t hear any machinery so proceed along the track with caution. I pass a number of log piles and keep with the track as it goes above Monstay Farm.
There is an option here to join a footpath on the left leading down to the farm, I will be taking that route later but first I want to make a detour uphill to bag the trig on the ridge to my right. To reach the trig I continue on the track until I spot a faint path on the right. This path is marked on the map and heads steeply uphill to reach the ridge where I turn right.
I now walk along the ridge until I am directly below the trig and then take a faint unmarked path through the bracken which goes steeply up to the Wheelers Vallets trig pillar.
This is the 460th trig I have bagged, the low cloud means there are no views to enjoy. Leaving the trig I decide to follow a well-defined path heading west. This is a route used by mountain bikers and as I near the main ridge path there is a short steep descent which definitely requires the walking poles to ensure I don’t slide down.
On rejoining the broad ridge path I continue heading west towards a junction of tracks.
At the junction I take a path to the left which initially is not easy to spot but once off the main track I see the well-worn route which heads steadily downhill towards the forestry track I was on earlier. Here I turn left and walk back to the footpath above Monstay Farm. Now I go through the gate and descend towards the farm.
Nearing the farm I turn left towards a gate and go through to join the farm driveway.
Reaching a minor road I cross and follow the forestry road to the Vinnalls car park. At a junction of tracks my route goes to the right and passes a barrier.
There are a network of paths and tracks in these woods, in places like this a map and compass along with pacing and timing come to the fore. The route I am on is shown on the map as a restricted byway, I follow this to a junction with a bridleway and then take the bridleway steadily uphill to reach a junction with the Mortimer Trail. Now I turn left and follow the trail way markers.
Initially this part of the route is along a broad track, but at a junction of tracks the trail continues straight on along a narrower way marked path.
Still following the Mortimer Trail I turn left at a junction of paths and head downhill to a broad track and turn right and then within twenty metres follow the trail way marker down to a stream which I ford.
I soon join a track and turn right and follow this route under a disused quarry.
Where the Mortimer Trail turns sharply around a bend I leave the trail to join a track heading north-east towards Starvecrow.
After passing Starvecrow the route continues through a couple of fields towards Hucksbarn. At a junction of tracks I continue straight on to pass Hucksbarn. We have often thought about staying at the caravan site on this farm, it is well laid out and has good reviews so it will be added to our 2025 travel plans.
A notice beside the farm fence explains that this route was once the Stage Coach route between Leominster and Ludlow, the building in 1756 of the Turnpike road, now the B4613, decreased it’s importance.
Following the footpath I head towards the B4613 where I turn left and follow the pavement towards Ludford Bridge.
Nearing the bridge I pass Ludford House, currently on the market for £2.3m, this property was acquired in 1607 by the Charlton family, hence the pub opposite being called the Charlton Arms. In 1686 Sir Job Charlton, the speaker of the House of Commons, was created a baronet.
Passing the pub I reach Ludford Bridge, this was the scene of a minor battle on the12th October 1459, known as the Rout of Ludford Bridge, part of the War of the Roses. It resulted in a victory for the Lancastrians and the Duke of York abandoned his troops and family in Ludlow.
Crossing the bridge I am back in Lower Broad Street and Lynnie has returned from her exploring in the town so it is time to make plans for the rest of the week.
Despite the dismal weather, which turned out to be drier than originally forecast, I have had an enjoyable walk covering just over nine miles.
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer 203 – Ludlow, Tenbury Wells & Cleobury Mortimer
You can view this 9.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
23rd September 2024
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2024)
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.