AOG Events 2008

Saturday 2 August


A E Housman's Blue Remembered Hills. Contrary to popular supposition, A E Housman was a Worcestershire lad. This walk, on the National Trust's Clent Hills in the north of the county, is close to his birthplace in countryside that he knew and loved. The walk takes in woodland, fields and heathland. We will see several follies built by the Lyttleton family (as in Humph), whose stately home nestles beneath the hills. There are superb views taking in the very 'blue remembered hills' that Housman had in mind when he wrote that famous phrase, and on a clear day you can see the Cotswolds, Bredon Hill, Forest of Dean, Malverns, the Black Mountains, Lord Hereford’s Knob and the Radnor Forest in distant Wales, the Abberleys, Clees, Wrekin, etc. After the walk there will be an opportunity for those who wish to do a detour on the way back to Worcester, to look at Housman's birthplace, and to visit the curious Chartist village of Dodford. 8 miles on good paths, with a few short sections on quiet roads. 950ft of ascent, including some steep climbs. Map of this walk.

Abberley Hills & the Teme. This expedition has the lot! We’ll explore leafy woodland, lush pastures and hidden valleys and brooks as we make our way from the edge of the Vale of Severn over Woodbury Hill to the Teme valley. Our return route takes us over Flagstaff Hill which gives us a delightful final descent to our cars. The quiet and charming Abberley Hills have remains of an iron-age settlement, links with the civil war and today are home to hops and asparagus. They also offer surprise distant views and we’ll probably see deer, not to mention Worcestershire’s very own Big Ben! We’ll have a riverside picnic with a pub option. 10 miles. Map.

‘Archers’ country. East of Droitwich and south of Bromsgrove, around Hanbury, lies a very rural, quiet and unspoiled area of Worcestershire. Starting at Piper’s Hill woods, we’ll then visit St Mary’s church Hanbury, better known as St Stephen’s, Ambridge. We will stroll through the grounds of Hanbury Hall down to the Worcester and Birmingham canal. Here we are only a short walk away from the Tardebigge flight, a stretch of 30 locks in just two miles*. After following the towpath south to Shernal Green we’ll branch off onto the Wychavon Way and head for Madam’s Hill before turning north once again. There will be opportunity for tea and retail therapy at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre after the walk (be sure to check out the glass blower while you’re there!). This is a gentle walk of 11.5 miles. Map.

*It is no coincidence that also a few miles to the north the adjacent Birmingham to Gloucester railway tackles the steepest sustained main line gradient in Britain – the Lickey incline. This climbs for two miles at 1 in 37.7. Both pioneering transport routes had to make their way to Birmingham which lies at a remarkable elevation. In all, 56 locks raise the canal by 428ft from Worcester to Birmingham, where the canal’s summit in the city centre is 453ft above sea level, and the railway reaches almost 600ft as it passes through the southern suburbs.

Cotswold Scenes. Just over the border into Gloucestershire, this walk takes a varied route including a section of the Cotswold Way across open meadows, through woodland and along ridges. With views of Broadway Tower, the Malverns and the Vale of Evesham, you’ll relish the landscape. We’ll visit Stanton, Stanway, Snowshill and Laverton, four of the most beautiful and unspoilt villages of this enchanting region. Featuring mellow honey-coloured Cotswold stone cottages, historic country houses, a thatched cricket pavilion and beautiful churches, this walk really shows the Cotswolds at their best. 8 miles. Map.

Croome Park. Nine miles south of Worcester lies Croome Park, ‘Capability’ Brown’s first complete landscape park, recently and thoroughly restored. As we walk around the perimeter of this fascinating landscape we will see follies, two castles and a classical panorama tower. A country pub with real ale and local cider makes an optional lunchtime attraction - John will have a food menu for you to browse at the start of the walk. After continuing through fields, along quiet lanes and across parkland we will return to the National Trust's visitor centre. These fascinating RAF buildings, dating from 1942, have just been restored into visitor facilities by none other than your very own walk leader. After the main walk you may wish to visit the formal garden, but not before you have enjoyed a Land Girls’ tea in the restored canteen! 8.5 miles. Map.

Elgar Trail I. Starting from the University we will take the footbridge over the Severn to the city centre where we will pass some key buildings associated particularly with the early life of Sir Edward Elgar. We will then make our way down past the Cathedral to the Severn and stroll along the west bank to Powick Bridge where we will get good views of the Malverns and, looking back, the Cathedral. Through typical Worcestershire countryside we will then head for the birthplace museum at Upper Broadheath. Here we will be able to spend some time looking at the exhibits and exploring the house before returning over fields to the University. 10.5 miles. Map.

Herefordshire Beacon. Some of the Malverns’ rocks are more than 600 million years old and among the oldest in England. Their hardness accounts for the purity of Malvern water. There’ll be quite a strenuous first half to this walk over the central hills of the Malvern range, including a steep climb to the Herefordshire Beacon. Here we’ll enjoy views westward over the rolling hills of greenest Herefordshire to the Welsh border and eastward over the patchwork Vale of Severn to Bredon Hill and the Cotswolds. After visiting a handy refreshment hut - do try a local Rachel’s ice cream - we’ll carry on to Holy Well on the eastern slopes to taste the Malvern water. Lunch high up on the ridge will set us up for the return leg along the western side of the hills, briefly through woods and meadows and along a shady track, ending at a spectacular old stone quarry deep with water. 10 miles. Map.

Shrawley Wood & the Severn. If you fancy a reasonably gentle walk through some lovely countryside then this is the walk for you. Our route will start off through Shrawley Wood, passing a couple of lovely pools as we head down to the banks of Britain’s longest river. Once the chief route into and out of England’s heartland, the Severn is still navigable here but it will be pleasure boats we’ll see as we have our pub or picnic lunch. Then we’ll take a stroll along the river bank before a gentle climb to higher ground. The fascinating Astley Vineyard soon features, then we have more luscious woodland and scenic parkland for the last leg. Map.

Worcestershire Beacon. The Malvern Hills Act of 1884 was one of the earliest pieces of legislation designed specifically to safeguard an area of outstanding beauty from destructive exploitation. It was hailed by The Times as being of national importance. It created a body of fifteen Conservators to keep watch over the common land, thus the Malverns have been managed and preserved to this day. This fairly strenuous walk soon takes us from Colwall, nestling below the western slopes, to the highest summit, the Worcestershire Beacon at 1394ft (425m) for a grandstand 360° panorama of the surrounding countryside and distant counties. A stride out south along the airy spine of the hills to British Camp follows, and its welcome refreshment cabin sets us up for the last stage and anticipation of the night’s shenanigans. Map.