Ross Ramblers

Walks at Llangrove and Lydbrook

Although the forecast was for fine weather it began to rain as 13 walkers and a dog set off from Langrove on Tuesday August 10th. It continued raining for the whole of this 5 mile walk in gently rolling countryside. Led by John and Val the group left the village heading for Welsh Newton Common, soon finding that they were sheltered from the rain as they made their way along a green lane that climbed steadily. Skirting Welsh Newton Common village and past the lane to St Wulston’s Farm another green lane brought them to Morgans Grove where they paused for a break in the shelter of the wood. The path continued downhill for a mile all the way along the edge of the wood and the fields to Lewstone. From there another green lane wound its way through the fields and woods of a secluded valley back to the outskirts of Llangrove.

Walkers on Thursday evening were luckier with the weather as Bob led a party of 17 on a 3.5 mile walk from the old factory at Lower Lydbrook. Leaving the English Bicknor road the group took the path down to the river getting an interesting but sad view of this huge derelict industrial site, decaying in its beautiful riverside setting. They walked as far as the woodland at Great Collins Grove before doubling back along the former railway track past bird rearing pens teeming with young game birds. A short climb up the side of the valley took the walkers over Offa’s Dyke through a gap between woodlands before doubling back again through paddocks to reach a stepped section of the English Bicknor Heritage Trail. Emerging into the bright evening sunshine again after the fairly steep climb through the darkening wood the group had a welcome drink in the fields near the church while they admired the view. From here it was downhill all the way back to the start through the fields on the nose of Tumps Hill, with superb views across the land just walked, the helmet shaped curve in the river, and the Welsh Bicknor side of the valley beyond.