I noticed that two of the routes in the kittiwake book for Leominster used vary similar/ overlapping routes so I though I could combine the two and make a slightly longer route.
I would start on the Kimbolton walk, and swap onto the bache camp route, just after the church. Around the camp and back along the Herfordshire trail which both routes used.
Where they separated to return to Leominster by different routes, I would follow the first one over Eaton Hill.
I parked in the Broad street car park on the edge of Leominster, and followed the footpath out the back and along Kenwater brook.
Over the brook and along the far side past B&Q to the roundabout where the A44 and A49 cross.
Luckily there was a footpath along the side of the A49 up to Hay lane, where I peeled off onto a footpath in the woods.
Into the hay field behind the wood and along the edge. Before a zigzag to the next door field for the next section.
A narrow farm track to the next field (that had been partially mowed). Here I needed to cross the field diagonally - following the vehicle tracks.
This met a road (the gate was open so I escaped the stile, and across to the next section, climbing to another field - following the Cogwell brook
Through some scrub to the edge of a garden, where the track dived down to the left to cross the brook.
On the other side across a corner to a strange double stile and onto a back road.
Up the back road and into Stockton village.
At the pub the route went along a sunken track.
Just past several houses the track became a green lane through the woods then a footpath.
Turning into a field - the path had been moved to the edge of the field, and through a different one lower down, but all made it to the correct place.
Along a back road to Pateshall, where the road ended and I could not find the straight on path so followed the sign to the right.
This did mean I had to pass an vicious dog, that required some shouting.
Now across a wheat field to a lonely oak tree (I have mentioned before that most paths through fields go past oak trees).
Then a repeat of this before a grass field.
Here I needed to turn left to get back on track, but the gate was hidden in the hedge, and I nearly missed it.
This led to a horse field (with very long grass). The description, luckily, said head for the church so i worked up to it then searched for the next gate.
Through the churchyard and out into a field that led down to a back road.
Down to the A4112, and a further back road to Minnalls farm.
Another noisy dog, but this one did not get close.
Past the farmhouse and down a green lane over York brook and past a house and along its drive up to a sharp turn.
the path here crossed a field and into a nettle patch at the far side. This hid the next stile and needed care to cross.
Along the next field to meet a back road at a T junction.
Along the road to Bache Hill, then turning off it to climb some crumbling stairs
Another field of long grass to cross on a compass bearing. At the top corner was a crossroads of paths. I continued in the same direction and climbing up the slope.
Looking down the far side and the first glimpse of Bache camp.
Then down the slope to a gate in the hedge below.
Over the stream and climbing the opposite side through sheep. There was a permissive path here that stayed on the ridge and led along towards the iron age fort.
The path came out below the outer rampart of the camp.
I took an opportunity to find a way through and up to the top of the fort.
Over the second rampart to the top plateau, lots of long grass.
Turning around to pick up the Herefordshire trail, dropping down to the stream in the trees below.
On the far side of the stream was a plaque about the hill fort - I had expected one at the top though.
Now on the Herefordshire trail and followed it along green lanes to Upper Bache
Through the farmyard and along the drive to a sharp turn.
The path followed the edge of the field - slightly overgrown.
Then to the top of a slope with a rape seed field. The path was supposed to slant down through here ... I tried going right and this was severely overgrown, so ended up going left, which was only slight better.
I continued along a farm track between fields and across a scrubbly field (at least this had a path).
This came out into a mown field (silage probably). I was supposed to go around the edge and down to the opposite corner, however I just headed straight across.
Down to a back road to get back on track at Downs villa farm.
Around a large house and a barn before picking the path up again.
Down through a wood
This came to a field and across to a footbridge
Another long grass field, but at least this had a path around the edge and up to the corner.
Here the orchard had been dug up ad the farm buildings replaced by chicken sheds.
Past the house and across a path crossroads.
The path went through a narrow wooded area (with brambles arching over the track).
And came out to a back road.
Over the road then down through grass fields. There were many paths throguh this large field, but I found the one I wanted and over to Cheaton Brook.
Up a farm track to a sweetcorn field - more diversions as the path was marked to go diagonally through this, but I had to go around the edge.
At the top I swapped to the next field and continued in the same direction.
Over the ridge and down slightly to a gate - this led down to a green lane.
Here I left the Herefordshire Trail and turned to go up Eaton hill.
Along the ridge and pas the solar panel farm on the top = no views just high hedges.
Then down the solar farm access track.
Past some converted barns with the first sight of the A49.
Down the driveway to the major road, over this and into the industrial park.
Now I was back where i had started and followed the road and footpath along the stream back to the car park.
