This trip came at the tail end of one of the hottest summers on record. When we did the recce in early August everything was brown and parched. What a difference a few weeks makes. On the last Friday in August 48 Poly Ramblers arrived at St Johns Campus at the University of Worcester, thankfully not all on the same train. After settling into our flats (William Morris and Vesta Tilley) and working out the route to and from the campus shop, we set out for an orientation walk, following the River Severn across Sabrina Bridge into Worcester city centre. It was not long before people started to peel off in search of a meal, but those who stuck with the walk saw the Cathedral grounds and the flood wall, the Royal Worcester porcelain museum and the Commandery (Royalist HQ during the Civil War). By the time we reached the medieval Friar Street the rain had started and we dispersed to pubs or back to campus for dinner.
Shakespeare’s Avon Way – Saturday 29 August
The next day we had planned walks in the Malvern Hills but the forecast was so wet that we reorganised and the long and short hikers all did a low level walk from Pershore to Evesham following Shakespeare’s Avon Way. Pershore is a lovely Georgian market town with a beautiful medieval abbey. There were so many of us that we split the group into two with Harriet and Pam leading the first group. We started on the bank of the Avon then through the charming village of Wyre Piddle and on through fields and woodland paths to the village of Fladbury where we stopped for lunch in the churchyard and refreshment at the Anchor Inn. The rain was intermittent but it could have been much worse. On to the next village of Charlton and then after a long stretch with views of Evesham we descended to the river Avon and encountered the first mud we had seen in months. By this time the sun was out – I was pleased to discover that the Hampton Ferry was running and the young skipper conveyed us all across the river to Evesham. The majority of the party headed to the bus stop to return to Worcester in time for choral evensong while a few enjoyed coffee and cake at Raphael’s on the river bank.
Malvern Hills Sunday 30 August
Susan writes: Twelve hikers set off from the lovely Great Malvern station in pretty good weather. We passed the priory but could not go in as there was a service. After climbing 99 steps and continuing up a winding path we reached St. Ann’s well. We proceeded along a woodland path at the base of the ridge via Earnshaw Lake before descending to the Wyche Cutting where we stopped for refreshments at the H2O café. The route continued at the base of the ridge to the Holy Well, the site of what is believed to have been the first water bottling plant in the world. Malvern Spring water is recorded as being bottled as far back as 1662. Just before descending towards the A449 on the Worcestershire/Herefordshire border, we stopped for our picnic lunch. Unfortunately, it was just starting to rain. After lunch one hiker decided to return to Great Malvern and another settled herself into the bar at the Malvern Hills Hotel, where she envied those who were having an abundant Sunday roast! The rest of us climbed up to the site of an Iron age hillfort known as British Camp or Herefordshire Beacon at 338 mt (1,109 ft). The weather had cleared up and we were able to appreciate the amazing 360 degree panorama.
We returned to the hotel for a welcome tea break and to collect our companion who had waited there. As we were about to leave, a thunderstorm broke out and fortunately we were able to shelter from the very heavy rain. The return took us along the top of the ridge, skirting Black Hill, Pinnacle Hill, Jubilee Hill and Perseverance Hill and down into the Wyche cutting. Much of this route followed the Shire Ditch which, according to folklore, was created in 1287 by the (red-haired) Earl of Gloucester, following a boundary dispute with the Bishop of Hereford. It was erected along the whole Malverns Ridge to separate his hunting forest from the one to the east, and in such a clever way, that deer could jump east to west across it, but not back to the east. Recent research however, shows that it could be much older, dating back to about 1000BC. Our last climb involved reaching the Worcestershire Beacon, the highest point in the Malverns at 425 mt (1,394 ft). For most of this return section it had been raining, albeit not too heavily. We were all rather tired and wet, so after some quick photos at the trig point and Queen Victoria memorial, we set off down into Great Malvern. It was a shame that the weather didn’t allow us to appreciate fully the vista which is said can include up to 13 counties on a good day.
On arrival some hikers went straight to the station, while the rest reunited with the Poly who had returned at lunchtime and we all enjoyed a very nice meal in the first restaurant we encountered to finish off the day. On reflection we all felt the mileage had been more than on the programme but it had been a great day out despite the rain in the afternoon.
Gillian Williams writes: Twenty two walkers set out from Worcester to Great Malvern. The station at Great Malvern has some interesting features. A tunnel leads to the local hotel so passengers could stay dry. The wrought iron pillars are decorated with flowers and leaves We passed through Priory Park which was the home for monks from the 11th to the 16th century and the current Swan Lake was originally the fish pond for the Priory. A gothic mansion which now houses Malvern Hills District Council was built and was the home to Alfred Speer. His family made their fortune by selling bird and bat droppings imported from Peru. We passed the theatre and started to ascend to the Hills, passing a beautiful sculpture of buzzards, lamp posts that were a reminder of CS Lewis and the Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe and a wrought iron donkey bench. A set of 90 + steps took us higher and onto the narrow road leading to St Ann’s Well and beyond.
Eventually the road opened out onto the Geopark Way running up towards Worcestershire Beacon at (1394 feet). We stopped for a well earned picnic lunch just below the Beacon – a low wall gave most of us a perfect seat with a magnificent view overlooking the surrounding countryside. It was clear, sheltered and sunny – we were in the lea of the Hill. Most of the group explored the summit with the trig point and information “table”. It was then time to carry on along the ridge (Three Choirs Way – Worcester to Gloucester) with a great view towards Wyche.
Another peak, Summer Hill was explored (1257 feet) en route to our turn to the right to wend our way back. Part of the group, led by Dominique, turned left at this junction walking back to Great Malvern on an undulating path through woodland. The remaining 14 of us double backed through mixed wooded areas – rain did not stop us from enjoying the varied countryside. Passing below the higher path we passed Summer Hill and Worcestershire Beacon. With the weather becoming more unsettled we crossed back to the Geopark Way and retraced our steps but avoiding the steps to reach Great Malvern in time for a cup of tea although a lot of the shops were closing.
Three Choirs Way Monday 31 August
On our final walking day we headed back in the direction of Malvern to pick up the Three Choirs Way back into Worcester. The short hikers started at the village of Madresfield (once home of Evelyn Waugh) and managed to stay ahead of the long hikers (led by Harriet and Pam who started at Malvern Link) all day. We stopped for elevenses in Old Hills Country Park with views of the city and later for lunch in a field opposite the Blue Bells pub which we had failed to spot on the recce. The long hikers stopped here too shortly after we left, apparently only to avoid embarassing us by overtaking. After a few tricky stiles and a stretch of very overgrown thistle and burr strewn field we managed a second stop at the Toby Carvery before the final very pleasant walk along the river back into the city. We ended the day with a group meal at the Anchor pub at Diglis Basin, a couple of miles from the University but taxis were plentiful and reasonably priced.
Strollers walks
Danny writes: On our first full day in Worcester, with the rain coming down heavily, the strollers took the bus to Great Malvern for sightseeing rather than the planned steep climb up to the Worcestershire Beacon. The town had its heyday as a spa town in the 19th century when Victorians came here to sample the local spring waters. Signs of this era still abound with many grand villas on its streets. After a coffee stop, we wandered down the attractive main street to the splendid Priory Church with its fine stained glass windows. Fortunately it survived the dissolution of the monasteries. Some of our number had a go at bell ringing in its tower. After further wanderings and another refreshment stop, we returned by bus to Worcester.
The weather on Sunday was much better and we took a bus to the Georgian town of Pershore. After the obligatory strollers coffee stop, we ambled down to the River Avon for a peaceful stretch of waterside walking. We then headed back to the town via the Abbey and its park. A festival here was in full swing honouring the plum for which the area is famous. The group split with some visiting the abbey and the rest having lunch in the pleasant garden of the Star Inn before we all headed back to Worcester.
Bank Holiday Monday saw the strollers walk from the University to the River Severn and then join its towpath heading north to the new Kepax pedestrian footbridge. Crossing it took us to a fine disused pump house, now a cafe, where we stopped as usual! A wander through the attractive Gheluvert Park followed and then some suburban streets brought us to tranquil waters of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Only ducks and some moored boats were in evidence as we headed back to the City. A stop in a famed real ale pub was not to everyone’s taste so some went shopping instead before we all got taxis back to the University.
On our departure day 20 of us rounded off the trip with an excellent city walking tour with guides from Worcester Walks.
My thanks to all the walk leaders and everyone who helped to make the trip a success.
Gillian S. With contributions from Danny, Susan, Gillian Williams and Dominique
Thanks to Ida, Nita, Rochelle, Stephen, Susan, Patricia, Harriet and Hilary for the photos