Brockhampton

The downs and the common are well known to most of us but perhaps fewer people are fully aware of the access available at Brockhampton.

The 687-hectare (1,700-acre) Brockhampton estate was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1946 and comprises farmland, orchard, parkland and woods.

The farmland is mostly pastoral and managed in a traditional way by the trust’s tenant farmers.

Unfortunately, there are very few rights of way across it, but the trust has provided a permissive footpath linking Bromyard Downs with Brockhampton by way of Shepherd’s Cottage and Warren Farm. This path is included in the walk described here.

Should you wish to explore further, however, there is also permissive access to Warren Wood, a prominent beechwood right on the crest of the downs.

Access to the wood is from Bromyard Downs, a short way south of Shepherd’s Cottage.

The western part of the parkland is designated access land but the main part of the park, between Brockhampton and Lawn Pool, is not access land.

However, the trust has made available some permissive paths (not included in this walk) so it is possible to explore this area too.

Brockhampton Wood is entirely access land, which means all the woodland paths are available for public use. The trust is making some improvements to the path network this year so you may find further opportunities become available over the next few months. It has also just refurbished the tea room at Brockhampton, which serves food produced on the estate. Further local produce is available from a shop.

There is an entry charge to the estate for non-members but obviously this does not apply to areas of access land.

Nor does it apply to the permissive path from Shepherd’s Cottage via Warren Farm. Please note, however, that if you take a dog with you it should be kept on a lead throughout the entire Brockhampton estate.

A short detour from the described route leads to Lower Brockhampton, a moated 14thcentury manor house of immense charm, set in peaceful seclusion beside a dingle.

Its closest neighbour is a ruined Norman chapel, partly built of the strange, soft, spongy limestone known as tufa, which occurs locally. The most unusual feature of Lower Brockhampton is its picturesque 15th-century gatehouse, but the interior of the manor house is notable too.

An entry charge applies, but for this weekend only (both Saturday and Sunday) the trust is offering free access to 200 of its properties – just visit nationaltrust.org.uk to download a voucher.

FACTFILE

Start: The turning for the Live and Let Live on Bringsty Common; grid ref SO698551.

Length: Seven miles/11.2km.

Maps: OS Explorer 202, OS Landranger 149.

Terrain: Pasture, woodland, parkland, orchard, commons; mildly hilly.

Footpaths: Excellent.

Stiles: Five.

Parking: On Bringsty Common, by the access track to the Live and Let Live.

Buses: First 420, Worcester-Hereford via Bringsty Common, Mon-Sat only; worcestershire.gov.uk or 01905 765765.

Refreshments: Live and Let Live on Bringsty Common, Royal Oak on Bromyard Downs, Old Apple Store Tea Room at Brockhampton.

DIRECTIONS

1 Cross the A44, walk across the common to meet a track and turn right. When the track bends left, take a path on the right and keep straight on at a cross-path. Take a footpath at the edge of the common, passing between two cottages to a field. Go along the left-hand edge then turn left through pasture and orchards to a farmhouse. Turn left through another orchard, pass Old Mill Cottage then cross Paradise Brook.

Go to the right to meet a lane and turn left past Longfield Coppice.

Turn left at the next junction and follow the lane to the B4203 at Sandy Cross. Turn left, then soon right, joining another lane.

2 Take a footpath on the left at a bend in the lane. Climb through Buckenhill Wood then turn right to join a track and turn left onto the northern part of Bromyard Downs.

Cross a cattle grid then take a grassy path on the left. Shortly fork right, proceed to the B4203 and cross to the main part of Bromyard Downs. Head south along the top edge.

3 Join a permissive path near Shepherd’s Cottage and follow it to Warren Farm. Turn left just before a cattle grid and follow a track to Brockhampton (chapel, car park, tea room, toilets). Go into the car park to consult a map of the estate, which shows the various walks available, then return to the track and turn right (Oak Walk).

Turn left at Brockhampton Mews.

4 The track enters woodland, running above a brook. Go straight on at a junction and fork right at the next (unless visiting Lower Brockhampton). Descend to cross the brook then go left. Follow the brook to its confluence with another and follow that to a Tjunction.

Turn right, then left at a cross-path. Cross the brook and climb a flight of steps. Turn right at the top, then left at a cross-path.

Turn right when you meet a stone wall and follow it fairly closely – just keeping it in sight is enough.

5 Go through an arched gateway in a wall corner and exit on to Bringsty Common. Turn left to return to your starting point. You can walk on either side of the road but if you want to go to the highest point of the common, marked by a trig point and a clump of trees, you’ll find it on the other side of the road.