Clifton upon Teme (From Worcester News)

Clifton upon Teme

9:38am Monday 11th January 2010 in

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AT the Knightsford Gap, near Knightwick, the river Teme makes an abrupt change of direction, abandoning its southward journey to head east, cutting through the line of hills which lie to the north of the Malverns.

As it heads towards Worcester this stretch of the Teme forms the southern boundary of an area of hilly countryside which is different from the rest of Worcestershire, its steep slopes, fast-flowing streams and luxuriant dingle woodlands giving it a distinctive character and beauty all of its own.

The woods are full of wild cherry trees whose white blossom complements the bluebells in April to make an unforgettable picture.

But it’s lovely at any time of year because the semi-enclosed nature of the narrow, steep-sided valleys creates a humid micro-climate which allows greenery to flourish even in the coldest winter months.

A scattering of old orchards, picturesque farmhouses and Norman churches adds further charm to the landscape.

The largest village in the area is Clifton upon Teme, a curious name for a village which actually perches high above the river on Clifton Hill.

It’s a delightful place. The houses lining the main street display a charming mix of architectural styles and periods.

Below Clifton, in the Teme valley, are Shelsley Beauchamp and Shelsley Walsh, both places of great charm. Shelsley Walsh, which is visited in the course of this walk, is the smaller of the two. Its 12th century church of St Andrew is a simple and attractive little building, beautifully situated below a tree-covered hill. It’s constructed of tufa, an unusual stone also used for nearby Lodge Cottage.

Tufa, also known as travertine, is formed from carbonates deposited by streams in some limestone areas. It looks soft and porous but is actually very durable.

The tufa for St Andrew’s was quarried locally at Southstone Rock, one of the largest tufa deposits in Britain. The church is just as lovely inside, its wooden roof painted with stars. There is also a very fine 15th century carved oak chancel screen with a rood beam above it, and an interesting wooden tomb in memory of Sir Francis Walsh, who died in 1596.

Next to St Andrew’s is the impressive Court House, once the home of Sir Richard Walsh, the high sheriff of Worcester, who succeeded in rounding up the members of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. Court House is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who murdered her husband. She allegedly drives a horse-drawn coach around the landing, down the stairs and into a lake behind the house.

Older than either church or court is the substantial mound which rises from the fields about halfway between Ham Bridge and New Mill Bridge. This mound, or motte, is the remains of Homme (or Ham) Castle, a Norman fortification first documented in 1207.

FACT FILE

Start: Clifton upon Teme, grid ref SO713615.

Length: Five miles/8km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 149/150.

Terrain: Woodland, pasture, arable; hilly in places but not very steep.

Footpaths: Neglected in places but no major problems.

Stiles: Three.

Parking: Clifton upon Teme.

Buses: LMS 310, Mon-Sat; worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetabl es or 01905 765765.

Refreshments: Clifton upon Teme.

DIRECTIONS

1 Walk north beside the main street (B4204) to the far end of the village then take a footpath on the right after the last house. Go diagonally to the far corner of a field.

Continue along the left edge of the next field to a hedge corner then diagonally across another field to the left-hand end of a group of pines. Turn left across the field to a hedge gap and go straight on across three more fields. Cross a stile and turn right on a bridleway which soon enters a large meadow.

Keep roughly straight on downhill.

Pass a solitary oak tree and then, a little further on, a line of oak and ash trees.

2 Go through a gate into a wood (Hell Hole). The path descends left, first through established woodland, then through young woodland to a junction.

Turn left for a few paces on a track and look for a path on the right next to a poplar tree.

Unpromising at first, the path soon improves and is easily followed down to a track. Turn left, crossing a brook and proceeding to the edge of the wood. Walk along the lefthand edge of a field until a gate gives access to an orchard. Turn right to meet a lane, and turn right along it.

3 To see St Andrew’s Church and the Court House, take the first path on the right when you reach Shelsley Walsh, turn left at a junction and then left again after 100m to return to the lane.

Continue in the same direction as before.

Walk almost to the main road near Ham Bridge but just before you reach the road junction take a bridleway on the right and follow it along a field edge then into a wood, Slashes Coppice.

The bridleway is easily followed through woods and fields to Clifton – just remember to take the uphill option at each junction.

Turn left at Church House Farm to meet the road, then turn right into Clifton.

Worcester News recommends the use of OS Explorer Maps, your ideal passport to navigating the countryside.

This walk is based on OS Explorer TARTAN 204.