Hergest Common/Grove Farm circular walk

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.

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Detailed OS Map

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

Parking near then end of Ridgebourne Road

New permissive access down to Grove Farm

View from the field after the first kissing gate

Through the second kissing gate and down the hill

Through the final kissing gate and on the Track to Grove Farm

Woodland which backs onto Hergest Croft Gardens

We're not going that way

Further on down the track

A gate with a view

Grove Farm

Grove Farm

Grove Farm

Looking back up at Grove Farm

Walking down the track from Grove Farm

The official route but overgrown.

The woodland re. overgrown footpath

At the end of the track and onto Upper Hergest looking down.

Looking up Upper Hergest

Entrance to Grove Farm from Upper Hergest

Halfway up the hill

Back on the common

Carrying on up to Hergest Common Farm

Steep climb

At the top

Stopping for a drink

If you go this way you can extend the walk for miles

We're heading this way

Autumn comes early and Bandit spots sheep

View from the lower part of the common

Back down we go

Further

The end is nigh

Back to the car

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