IT’S always a pleasure to visit Ludlow, one of the finest small towns in Britain, and further enjoyment comes from taking advantage of its wonderful setting by exploring some of the surrounding countryside.

This walk heads south-west into Mortimer Forest, where numerous footpaths provide endless possibilities for long walks.

On a January day, however, it may be tempting to keep it fairly short and head for the shelter of Mary Knoll Valley rather than more exposed points such as High Vinnalls or Hanway Common.

Before descending into the valley, you can enjoy panoramic views of the hills from a wellplaced bench; you’ll find it near a small brick building on the slopes of Mary Knoll (point four).

Returning to Ludlow, you’ll pass through the picturesque hamlet of Ludford, where 17th-century houses, a watermill and a church cluster together above the river Teme. There’s also a green burial ground at Ludford Park, which is managed as a wildlife sanctuary.

Native trees have been planted and a meadow of remembrance has been sown with native grasses and wildflowers. It is hoped that this will attract birds which are in national decline, such as skylark, meadow pipit and corn bunting, and insects such as butterflies, numbers of which are in freefall.

There are some non-native species too, such as snowdrops, which may already be in bloom.

The burial ground is owned by Lin and Roger Dalton and managed in association with Shropshire Wildlife Trust, which will eventually receive it as a bequest.

Some of the paths used in the walk form part of the Mortimer Trail, which runs for 30 miles from Ludlow to the Herefordshire town of Kington. It’s a beautiful trail, which keeps mainly to high ground as it follows a succession of ridges through the former territory of the Mortimers, who dominated the Marches for more than three centuries after the Norman Conquest.

They were colourful characters whose exploits still have the power to fascinate. In 1265, for instance, Roger Mortimer supported Henry III against Simon de Montfort’s rebel barons and it is said that after the royal victory at the battle of Evesham, Roger was rewarded with de Montfort’s severed head, which he sent home as a present for his wife.

A few decades later, another Roger Mortimer was the lover of Queen Isabella and was involved in the murder of her husband, Edward II, at Berkeley Castle. Roger hoped to become king but was later executed by Isabella’s young son, who became Edward III.

FACTFILE

Start: Castle Square, Ludlow; grid ref SO509746.

Length: Six miles/9.5km.

Maps: OS Explorer 203, OS Landranger 137 or 138.

Terrain: Mostly woodland and plantation, with one moderate ascent and one steep descent.

Footpaths: Excellent.

Stiles: None.

Parking: Ludlow.

Public transport: You can go by train, changing at Hereford, but by bus is better – First 295 or 303 from Worcester to Kidderminster, then First 292 to Ludlow – note that most 303 services change their number to 292 at Kidderminster, so you don’t have to change buses.

Refreshments: Ludlow.

DIRECTIONS

1 Walk down Dinham (left of the castle entrance), cross the river Teme at Dinham Bridge and follow the waymarked Mortimer Trail uphill for a little way then across Whitcliffe Common and along a road to a junction. Go straight on along Lower Wood Road for a few metres then fork left into the wood. After a few more metres leave the Mortimer Trail and fork left uphill to meet a road. Turn left.

2 Take a bridleway on the right by a sign for North Farm. Keep left at all junctions, close to the edge of Mortimer Forest, soon walking through beechwoods.

When you come to a waymarked but potentially unclear junction by a bench fork right on a bridleway; very soon there should be larch treees on your left and young mixed woodland on your right. When you meet a forest road go straight across, staying on the bridleway.

3 Turn left at an unmarked junction, with larches on your left and gloomy spruce trees on your right. Go straight on at another unmarked junction so that you’re walking along the edge of the forest, with fields on your right. This leads to a junction where you turn right, past Forestry Commission waymarks indicating Climbing Jack and Whitcliffe.

4 Turn left by a small brick building and keep straight on at the next junction, rejoining the Mortimer Trail. After a short distance turn right at another sign for Climbing Jack, leaving the Mortimer Trail. After a few metres the path bends right towards Bringewood then descends steeply. Turn left at the bottom, just above a brook.

5 When you come to a Yjunction the Climbing Jack path goes to the right. Turn left instead so that you're still walking to the left of the brook, through Mary Knoll Valley. Fork left on a forest road at another junction, past an exposed rock face, rejoining the Mortimer Trail.

When the road swings sharp left go straight on along a bridleway, leaving the Mortimer Trail and Mortimer Forest. Pass Starvecrow then turn left at the next junction, joining a footpath.

6 Approaching Overton Road, go through a kissing gate on the left and pass to the left of Mabbitt’s Horn to meet the road.

Turn left on the footway, walk towards Ludford then cross to Lower Barns Road. At the end of the road a large sign erroneously claims Private property no public right of way. Ignore this and turn left on a well-trodden, field-edge public footpath. This leads to Ludford Park and then through Ludford to the road. Cross over and return to Ludlow, either by crossing Ludford Bridge or by crossing Whitcliffe Common (left of Cliffe Villas) to Dinham Bridge.

 

Worcester News recommends the
use of OS Explorer Maps, your
ideal passport to navigating the
countryside. This walk is based
on OS Explorer 203.