How Caple - Crow Hill - How Caple
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The starting point is on a lane in the open meadows on the bank of the River Wye. A short distance from here, a path from the lane takes you up through a park to How Caple Court, a property renowned for its eleven-acre, Edwardian garden set high above the River Wye. The medieval church contains beautiful stained-glass windows, a Norman font and a 16th Century diptych.
From How Caple Court, the walk climbs through woodlands, (often overgrown in high summer, so long trousers and a stick for beating nettles are recommended) eventually to achieve a ridge that presents a sweeping panorama of the hills of Herefordshire. A descent takes one to Yatton Chapel. In its farmyard setting, the simplicity of this tiny church, with its 12th Century tympanum over the door, the agricultural floor and the largely un-plastered walls, conveys a strong sense of the remote and the romantic. This place, wild but not savage, is just a little enchanted.
The next section of the walk follows the Herefordshire Trail through the open woodland of Yatton Wood, a carpet of bluebells in late spring. Herefordshire's ancient woods are recognised as some of the most important in England. Although parts are planted with conifer, the majority of the woodland on this walk is typical of that found in Herefordshire: ancient semi-natural, generally the most biologically rich, supporting characteristic plant and animal communities that are not found elsewhere.
The route then leads to the north of Crow Hill. This is high, undulating country that offers broad upland meadows, farms and glorious, sweeping views of the hills of Herefordshire in all directions. Points of interest include the pottery at Wobage Farm.
After crossing the A449, the walk descends into a broad, peaceful, emerald-green valley bordered by woodland on each side and eventually emerges on the lane by the River Wye that leads to the start point. This final section is a gentle and relaxing stroll by the beautiful river along the narrow lane which is little-used by traffic. Herefordshire supports the greatest length of river designated for its conservation value of any county in England; the River Wye, with part of the Lugg, is a candidate Special Area for Conservation.
England - Central England - Herefordshire - River Walk
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland
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