Ludlow circular (7.5 miles) 09/06/21

Attendees: M.Sadler, A.Dulson, T.Robinson, H.Jones, R.Jones, P.Freeman, K.Freeman, N.Bridges, N.Graham, M.Simmonds, B.Mulrennan

(11 members)

Outward travel plans went like clockwork with a short wait for the arrival of the Worcestershire contingent who travelled via Hereford.

From the station we skirted around town, dropping down to cross the river Teme at Ludford Bridge and then left around the picturesque, sleepy, Ludford, followed by a small section of main road and then right onto a grassy trail which followed part of the old Ludlow-Leominster stagecoach route. Along here we crossed the only two styles of the walk leading to another tiny section of main road and then right onto the Mary Knoll Valley path. This led us alongside a stream through scenic woodland. Admittedly I led us along a slightly more adventurous, meandering path than the boring, wide, gritted surface of the nearby adjacent path but I think we all had FAR more fun as a result. We arrived at Mary Knoll House at the top of the path where we briefly took in the surrounding views and then continued on for about a mile further through woodland where we broke for lunch on some open grassy ground overlooking the valley below. We now only had about another 2 miles to the finishing line. We followed woodland trails descending through Mortimer forest, crossed Whitcliffe Common, overlooking the town and castle, and then descended the 'donkey steps' to cross the river again this time at Dinham Bridge below the castle. A short, cheeky street climb then led us into town.