Malvern Hills Weekend

September 5-7 2014

The Malvern Group The Malvern Group Photo: Liz Adams

The weekend away exploring the Malvern Hills was suggested by Sue Crisp and a small group, twelve, of us arrived in Upton-upon-Severn on a sunny Friday afternoon. Led by John and Joyce Dawson we strolled along the banks of the river, looking up to see the southern section of the Malvern Hills. The river bank was rich in insect life, turning away from the river to make the return journey we walked through rich farmland, maize taller than us and pastureland with local Hereford cattle, their gentle faces and huge knees making it obvious why they are bred for meat.

We were based at the Malvern Hills Hotel, where we had lunched some years ago on an annual outing, and the following morning John and June Henville led us on an all day walk on the paths northwards. We walked over Perseverance Hill, where the 14th century allegorical poem, Piers Plowman, is set, on through the deep cutting of Upper Wyche and on to the Worcestershire Beacon. The views were fantastic; the Black Hills in Wales as well as our own Cotswolds were visible, and below us in the fields a great jamboree of VW Campervans of all ages and colours. We walked on to St Anne’s Well and the return to the hotel was along the lower wooded footpaths in dappled sunshine.

Climbing to British Camp Climbing to British Camp Photo: Liz Adams

On Sunday the walk was shorter, this time going south. The first challenge of the morning was climbing up to the Herefordshire Beacon and British Camp. British Camp is an Iron Age Fort which was the reputed site of Caractacus’s last stand against the Romans, and was later extended by a medieval castle. Again we had lovely views all around us. We continued southwards to The Gullet, and picked up the Worcestershire Way for the return leg back to the hotel again walking through woodland. There was time to collect our belongings, have a late lunch and then drive back to Oxford. A great weekend and thanks to Sue for suggesting it.

Liz Adams