Another section of the Wye Valley Walk today ... On a recent visit to
Brobury house I had discovered a car park opposite the house entrance, and
determined that it would be useful for the section from here to the east,
Obviously used by walkers with the large map of rights of way, but also by those
wanting to make use of easy access to the river beside the bridge.
Today's
walk would follow the south bank (as far as possible) until the next road
crossing at Bridge Sollers. Then back along the Wye Valley walk.
Down to the bridge, and quickly over it as I did not want to meet anything as I
crossed.
Along a path down to the river and across a field to climb back up towards the
church.
Past the church (where I pocked up the Three rivers ride trail) - now less
overgrown than last time.
past the site of an old castle and along to the fish ponds.
I left the Three Rivers Ride here which turns away, and followed the track that
kept to the river
After the Oat field the path cut through the undergrowth and into a grass
field.
Across a harvested field to the back road at Cross End Farm.
I followed
this road passing Moccas Park (signed but seemed to have no access), to reach
the village of the same name.
Turning up a second back road towards Moccas Court, passing a gatehouse.
Just before lower Moccas Farm, I turned into a harvested field on a
bridleway.
This cut over the straw in a straight line towards the woods.
Through
the fence and across a harvested rape seed field to another gate.
A fallow field with a dog leg in the path (only faint traces) then along a wire
to a gate into the next (harvested) wheat field
A further harvested field and it changed to an apple orchard - the apples
were nearly ready.
The track followed the hedge until a gap allowed me to turn into a wheat
field.
A short zigzag to cross a footbridge and into a horse field.
The path crossed the fence and followed the edge of a further pair of the
same.
This ended at a back road Preston Court village.
I turned off
this down a driveway passing several houses.
When teh drive turned sharply the path continued through a small wood to a farm
track.
The farm track followed the bank above a small stream beside fields rather than
orchards as on the map.
The track ended at a scrubby field which had several sections mown.
Still
in the same direction across the fields.
A harvested wheat field then led to a second farm track that followed a
hedge.
The farm track became more defined and a green lane before reaching a back road
at Bridge farm.
Along this road and over the river on a substantial
bridge.
Climbing up the far side through Bridge Sollers and passing the church.
Over
the A438 and continuing to climb up towards Bishopstone and the Wye Valley
Walk.
At the crossroads of back roads I turned west and followed the WVW. This used
the back road to Home farm before turning down hill back to the A438.
Over the major road and down a road into the village of Byford.
Dropping
past the church, grateful that the clouds had covered the sun for a while.
The WVW turns along a farm track, when the road turned sharply.
I followed
this farm track through fields to the orchards. Staying on the track as it
weaved through the edges of the tree lines.
The edge of one orchard and into a second one using a grass track.
This
crossed to the edge of the Wye River.
Along the river until peeling away to Court farm.
The track goes through
the churchyard and out the lychgate.
The path curved around the grounds of Monnington house, until it reached the
drieway.
The WVW follows the Monnington walk - a 1 mile avenue of Scots pine and yew
trees heading away from the house.
Partway along the drive peeled off and the Monnington walk continues over
grass.
Along here was a tree planted for the jubilee.
When this met the Monnington Coppy the trail broke away to follow the edge of
the neighbouring fields.
At the end of the Coppy the path curved around to a back road that led down to
Brobury Old Court
Still on the narrow lanes to the wider one that linked the Brobury house to the
A438
Down this to the car park, still in the shade.
Statistics
| Distance |
Elapsed |
Height |
| 21.3km |
4h 15m |
279m |
