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Hergest Common/Grove Farm circular walk
A short but hilly walk exploring the permissive access to Grove Farm from Hergest Common, Herefordshire
The last time I walked on Hergest Common I notices that a new footpath had been opened up. So, on possibly the hottest ever recorded October day, I set off with Bandit to explore.
The great thing about Hergest Common is that, although popular, there are so many footpaths and routes that once off the standard 'hike to the top' walk it is rare to encounter more than a few people for your entire visit. Today though, in the unnaturally hot weather with, literally, buzzards wheeling in the sky it had a slightly eerie feel. It was almost like being in a scene from The Day the Earth Caught Fire.
Walking up from Ridgebourne Road onto Hergest Common, look for a kissing gate after a short distance on your left. About two thirds of the way through the first field there is another kissing gate, again on your left, where you start to descend to Grove Farm. Once through the farm carry on down the farm track. There is a footpath running through some woodland about halfway down the track which I imagine is the official route but it was seriously overgrown and I was only wearing sandals, so I carried on down the track to Upper Hergest. Turn right following the road all the way up to Hergest Common farm. Then right again to take you back down through the common and back onto Ridgebourne Road.
This is a short walk, about three and a half miles but with a couple of quite steeps climbs. I took it easy, ambling along, taking photos, and completed it in a little over an hour and a quarter. Enjoy.
Hergest Common/Grove Farm circular walk slideshow
01 of 33 : Parking near then end of Ridgebourne Road
02 of 33 : New permissive access down to Grove Farm
03 of 33 : View from the field after the first kissing gate
04 of 33 : Through the second kissing gate and down the hill
05 of 33 : Through the final kissing gate and on the Track to Grove Farm
06 of 33 : Woodland which backs onto Hergest Croft Gardens
07 of 33 : We're not going that way
08 of 33 : Further on down the track
09 of 33 : A gate with a view
10 of 33 : Grove Farm
11 of 33 : Grove Farm
12 of 33 : Grove Farm
13 of 33 : Looking back up at Grove Farm
14 of 33 : Walking down the track from Grove Farm
15 of 33 : The official route but overgrown.
16 of 33 : The woodland re. overgrown footpath
17 of 33 : At the end of the track and onto Upper Hergest looking down.
18 of 33 : Looking up Upper Hergest
19 of 33 : Entrance to Grove Farm from Upper Hergest
20 of 33 : Halfway up the hill
21 of 33 : Back on the common
22 of 33 : Carrying on up to Hergest Common Farm
23 of 33 : Steep climb
24 of 33 : At the top
25 of 33 : Stopping for a drink
26 of 33 : If you go this way you can extend the walk for miles
27 of 33 : We're heading this way
28 of 33 : Autumn comes early and Bandit spots sheep
29 of 33 : View from the lower part of the common
30 of 33 : Back down we go
31 of 33 : Further
32 of 33 : The end is nigh
33 of 33 : Back to the car