Stoke Prior & Risbury

The hot days were back again, and I chose to get out early and therefore back before it got too hot.
I had selected another walk from the Kittiwake book around Leominster. It starts from the same car park as the last walk climbing up and over the hills to reach Stretford. Then looping around to Humber burial ground before reaching Risbury Hillfort. Returning over the fields to Stoke Prior, and a track either side of the road. Finally along side the A44 to the railway station and back to the car park.

parking in the car park (free on Sundays) finding a space that would be in the shade later. Then along the same path across the river and down to B&Q, before reaching the industrial estate beside the A49 roundabout.

Down beside the industrial units beside the stream, that led to a mown field.

From the cornet of the field, under the A49 beside the stream. Then through the woods, still following the stream.

Along fields to the reach the side of the A44. Here an unmapped path followed the other side of the hedge.

Up to  a corner where a path climbed up the bank on a wide track.
There were several paths leaving this on both sides, and I followed one going the direction I wanted.

The path contoured around to a wood before climbing up the side of it on a narrower track.

Up to the top of the ridge and looking down the far side. Here the path followed the edge of the field (or rather the first row of sweetcorn when it had been ploughed to oblivion).

The path continued into the next field and down to a stream and foot bridge.

Grass fields on the other side working through a series of gates and stiles.

Cutting over the next few fields crossing a slight rise before dropping down to a back road.

Along the back roads (left then right) to a path beside Wain house

This path led into a huge grass field. The path curved around climbing the slope to the right.

Continue climbing, curving around scrub, before zigzagging on a contour line.

Aiming for the corner, and into the woods. This path left over an old stone bridge.

Across a grass field to reach a breakers yard.

I missed the exit path in the breakers yard and left along the drive. I also could not find any of the side paths so continued to the back road.

Along the back road and down to the A44 before catching back up to my prescribed route.
Through an overgrown gate and along the side of a corn field

After following the hedge through three fields with the path getting more obvious. Then across a barley field on a definite track.

This came out onto a back road and after a couple of crossroads before a back lane led down the side of Humber memorial woodland.
Over a stile and into the car park.

I diverted into the woodlands on several mown paths , before re-joining the original route, and out to a pea field. The path crossed this to a gate on the far side.

The next field was a mown hay field before turning down to the stream and a footbbridge.

The other side climbed up - turning before the cows

This field curved over to a gate and a path crossroads.

Turning down this to pass a ruined house - Gab's castle.
The woods opposite hid the hillfort.

At the woods , a footbridge crossed a stream before turning right along the base of the hillfort - there was no obvious way to climb the ramparts.

Into a field a the end of the ramparts and over another foot bridge. This led into an orchard with a couple of horses. I took a chance to cut the corner and followed a path to the back road.

Down the driveway to Hollywall farm. Just before the buildings I turned into the fields and followed the edge.

The path followed the edge of the fields until it merged with a farm track.

When teh farm track veered off I continued on a path across the barley to the side of a wood. A wide track down the side of it led to a back road.

Over this and through to a path beside crops heading for a house.
At the house continuing in the same direction.

The path reached a series of long grass fields, dropping down to Stoke Prior. This was all freeriding as there was no real path through this between the stiles.

The book had the route crossing into a wood but I could not find the exit, and continued following the stiles throguh the fields.

Just above the village the last field was mown for silage, and a steep drop into it.
Across the field to a gate that led to a path through the houses to come out at a T junction.

Along the road to Leominster past the Lamb inn that looked more like a residential house.
Along the road until a gate led to the right.

This led to an overgrown orchard, through this to the field behind it.

The book had the path going through the wood, but this was so overgrown that I followed a slight track to the right that led up the left of the hedge.
The track became even more marked as it climbed and followed the edge of the fields, eventually coming out to a grass field with a view over to Leominster.

Down the slope to a gate in the corner and back to the back road.
Along this to the driveway to Eaton Hall.

Across the field in front of the hall and at the river It got so overgrown I had to think twice.
The book had the path along here and I forced my way along - there was no alternative apart from continuing or going back and along the road.

I worked my way along and eventually left the nettles behind into a field of grass. Phew!

A final long grass field led to the side of the A44 where it crossed the river Lugg.

On the far side I followed the cycle track. I had planned to go along a foot path, but was feeling overwhelmed by nettles so took the easy option.
Over the railway, and along the road beside the commercial units.

I then worked through the back streets to reach the memorial fields and cricket pitch.
Then across to the Priory

Leaving it to get back to the car park.