Edwyn Ralph - Edvin Loach - Edwyn Ralph

David James

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This varied and interesting walk follows the Herefordshire Trail for over a third of its length. It is characterised by wide, sweeping views over rolling countryside: the rural charm of Herefordshire. There are no demanding stretches and the route is well-waymarked.

Of historical interest are the churches in the two villages. Edwin Ralph Church dates from 1170 (the Norman window and doorway) with a 13th Century tower. Under the tower there are seven monuments of historical interest, probably oone of the most interesting collections in the county. There is an adjacent motte and bailey ninety metres west of the church, where the original village was sited prior to the Black Death in the 1300s.

If you wish to make a short detour at Waymark 14 to Edvin Loach, the ruins of an 11th Century and later church are built within the earthworks of a Norman motte and bailey castle, with the nearby Victorian Church of St Mary's. This church was designed in 1860 by the eminent Victorian architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott (designer of the Albert Memorial).

England - Central England - Herefordshire - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Great Views, River, Wildlife, Woodland

4/5/2016 - Paul and Tracy Dawson

Enjoyable walk with good instructions. Some boggy bits made by cattle at field gates. Not too many climbs but still some great countryside views. We saw a rottweiler in the garden and half a dozen not so friendly alsations in another fenced off garden between points 14 and 15,no bulls though. Thoroughly recommended!

5/8/2012 - David James

Glad you enjoyed the part of the walk you did manage to accomplish, Denise, but do have another try later in the year: it is worthwhile. I am sorry to hear that the presence of young animals prevented you from completing it. However, it sounds as though you are a responsible dog owner. Stiles can be a problem with larger dogs and owners should bear this in mind when choosing a walk; most UK footpaths still have wooden stiles, as opposed to the new type of dog-friendly metal kissing gates. With regard to the bull, those over ten months of a recognised dairy breed are banned from fields crossed by public paths under all circumstances. All other bulls over ten months are banned unless accompanied by cows or heifers. If any bull acts in a way that endangers the public, an offence may be committed under health and safety legislation. I am sure the farmer, in this case, is aware of this and would not keep a bull in a field where there is a right of way if there was any question of a hazard. If left alone and ignored, a bull will quietly continue grazing. However, all livestock are nervous of dogs and can act unpredictably if harassed.

5/7/2012 - Denise Clissett

We tried this walk yesterday with two beagles and had to give up and turn back. Some of our problems were because of the time of year rather than the walk itself. There were baby lambs everywhere and stiles that were difficult to navigate with the dogs (who had to go 'on lead and off lead') The Bulls in one of the field made us have to turn back half way through the walk. Enjoyed what we did but wouldn't try it again until late autumn due to the baby animals.

3/13/2012 - David James

Thanks for your helpful comment, David, and glad you enjoyed this peaceful and pleasant walk. The woodland is there: you begin to pass it before the second stile, after WP 9. However, I'll revise the wording at that waypoint to make it clearer. Contented bulls are very rarely a problem – and at least the enthusiastic Rottweillers are secured!

3/12/2012 - David Owen

I walked this on a sunny Sunday morning - March 2012. Really peaceful and a pleasant walk. The detour to the church is well worth it - just continue up the lane past the sign which states no road access to church. A couple of points which may help... Between points 9 and 10 I didn't see much of a woodland (if any) on my right - but then I was kind of focused on a swift exit strategy from the field if the Bull took exception to my presence! And don't be phased by the two large Rottweillers (locked in the garden obviously) in the house on the left as you approach the gate between points 6 and 7. I wasn't expecting them and did jump as they started barking and growling quite aggressively. Otherwise, a really good walk.