Ledbury via the Obelisk

With the promise of a decentish day weatherwise in this proper winter I took the opportunity to make another trip to the Malverns, planning this time to reach Ledbury by passing the conspicuous Obelisk near Eastnor.

The first half of the walk is very familiar, and after disembarking at Great Malvern station I quickly climb through the town centre and start the ascent of Happy Valley (which is marked Green valley on my OS map, Exp 190). A small stream flows down this valley and as ever a smile comes to my face as I pass the point where on a previous summer venture I had seen a visitor sampling the water. "That stream is fed by the arsenic mine" said I. Much spluttering from said visitor, before he realised the lack of truth in my remark.

Onwards and upwards. The summit of the Worcestershire Beacon is much clearer than seems to be the norm, and I briefly take in the view, noting in particular the Clee Hills which are on my visiting list. But the wind up here is strong, and it is February in a cold winter. Not conducive to hanging around. Descending to Upper Wyche the wind thankfully drops even more rapidly than my altitude, and it becomes no more troublesome as I traverse the spine leading southwards to the Herefordshire Beacon, going over the top of the intermediate peaks.

The earthworks of British Camp are as impressive as ever, and the Obelisk is in sight. Now to find my way across to it. One possibility is to continue south until reaching the unfenced road on Berrow Downs and then turn due west, but I want to try cutting the corner through Gullet Wood. I have passed the top of the pathh I need before when down here once with Alex. On that occasion two walkers had struggled up the path reporting it to be very muddy. Today the end of the path doesn't look too bad so down it I go. 'Not too bad' is probably the best description. With the sun not penetrating well here it is not surprising to find that much of the standing water comes with its own lid of ice. Most of this is off the path though, and I reach the major track clearly marked on the map without difficulty. This track is clearly used by motor vehicles of some sort, and I am pleased that in some places small paths parallel to it provide the opportunity for less muddy and quicker progress.

After passing Peacock Villa a complex junction provides a choice of continuations, but knowing that the Obelisk stands on a hill somewhere to my right I don't need to consult the map to select the right one. In short order I'm passing the Obelisk, a substantial stone edifice in it's own fenced area, the gate to which is today locked. From here it is downhill all the way to Eastnor.

Eastnor Castle should now be drawing my eye, but it lies in the same direction as the mid-afternoon sun, and I can only make it out by carefully shading my eyes. Maybe I'm getting old and jaundiced, or perhaps it doesn't look it's best from this elevated viewpoint, but I am less impressed than by British Camp.

I'm now in Eastnor Deer Park, and am rewarded with a fleeting view of two deer. Indeed on my travels most of my views of deer are fleeting. The exception is for deer in Richmond Park, where the deer are plentiful and used to human presence. Indeed on one occasion I entered Richmond Park by one of the pedestrian entrances and immediately found myself in the midst of about a dozen deer spread across the path. They clearly had the attitude that they were there first and saw no reason to move, so I threaded my way through them, always aware that despite their apparently slender build, their speed of movement would provide at least a painful blow should one panic and spring my way.

Through a gate, cross a track, over a footbridge between ponds and turn left to follow the contours around to Eastnor. Been here before, but I'm taking a different route to Ledbury this time. Into the village, past the pottery and the northern end of Bircham's Wood. My plan to cut across roughly west to the A417 just south of Ledbury proves easy to follow as a series of blue disc waymarks act as guides. The ground around the gate marking my final entry into woods for the day is very muddy, and the gate is secured by a bit of wire, but this is a small obstacle, and I'm soon striding into Ledbury for an early chip supper before catching the train home.

Another enjoyable afternoon walk. Several climbs, most notably onto the two beacons, good views, wooded sections, an obelisk to inspect and a castle to look down on, some deer and gentle parkland walking. Even a couple of fields towards the end. Some muddy patches, but not enough to annoy. A good mix, maintaining interest throughout.

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