Mortimer Trail Day 1 - Thursday 28 April 2016
Ludlow to Mortimer's Cross (14.4 miles)
Route
Ludlow - Mortimer Forest - Overton Common - Climbing Jack Common - High Vinnals - Croft Wood - Mortimer's Cross
Parking
Plenty of parking in Ludlow. We caught the train to Ludlow, stayed overnight then walked to our B&B in Mortimer's Cross.
Mileage
14.4 miles
Terrain
Minor roads, woodland paths & forest tracks.
Weather
Bright & sunny with light breezes.
Time Taken
6hrs 10mins
Total Ascent
4245ft (1294m)
Maps
OS203 (Ludlow) & OS201 (Knighton & Presteigne)
Ludlow - Mortimer Forest - Overton Common - Climbing Jack Common - High Vinnals - Croft Wood - Mortimer's Cross
Parking
Plenty of parking in Ludlow. We caught the train to Ludlow, stayed overnight then walked to our B&B in Mortimer's Cross.
Mileage
14.4 miles
Terrain
Minor roads, woodland paths & forest tracks.
Weather
Bright & sunny with light breezes.
Time Taken
6hrs 10mins
Total Ascent
4245ft (1294m)
Maps
OS203 (Ludlow) & OS201 (Knighton & Presteigne)
GPX File
Walk Description
The entrance to Ludlow Castle - the start of the Mortimer Trail
The Fairground were in town therefore I think they were expecting a bit of trouble. Seriously, this is a 26 pounder Sevastopol Cannon that stands guard outside Ludlow Castle. Many of this type of cannon were captured during the siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War from 1853 to 1863. The captured cannons were presented to many towns and cities within the British Empire
The War Memorial in Ludlow
Anyone for The Twister??
The Victorian Water Fountain in Castle Gardens, Ludlow.
The fountain was presented to Ludlow in 1908 by George Woodhouse, Mayor of Ludlow. There are plans to renovate the fountain free of charge by the Civic Society. This has come to a standstill whilst the Civic Society & Ludlow Town Council argue about future upkeep costs.
The fountain was presented to Ludlow in 1908 by George Woodhouse, Mayor of Ludlow. There are plans to renovate the fountain free of charge by the Civic Society. This has come to a standstill whilst the Civic Society & Ludlow Town Council argue about future upkeep costs.
Ready for the off at The Mortimer Trail information board near the castle gates.
Fudge, as usual, is disinterested in such trivial matters as photography and just wants to crack on.
Fudge, as usual, is disinterested in such trivial matters as photography and just wants to crack on.
The path heads off around the perimeter of the castle
The way marking on the entire Trail was first class
Passing below the impressive ramparts of Ludlow Castle
Ludlow Castle from Dinham Bridge over the River Teme
Dinham Bridge
The steps leading from Dinham Bridge up into Mortimer Forest
Another view of Ludlow Castle - this time from Mortimer Forest
The path through the forest was on a tarmac road at first.......
....... before continuing along on a very good track
Titterstone Clee
As usual, cheeky boy Fudge found the wet stuff
Heading up on the gradual climb on Climbing Jack Common to the summit of High Vinnalls
The Malvern Hills from the summit of High Vinnalls.
There used to be a wooden tower up on the summit of High Vinnalls but it is no more
There used to be a wooden tower up on the summit of High Vinnalls but it is no more
The descent from High Vinnalls
8 miles in - glad we are breaking the journey up as its a long old way to Kington
Entering Croft Wood and Fudge has gone all shy on us
Tum ti tum - I wonder what is for tea??
A beautiful Hornbeam Tree - quite rare to see these in Herefordshire
Time for some acrobatics - not easy with a large rucksack on
Nice resting place on Yatton Hill Common
Nice spot for a break eh Fudge?
Yatton
Someone with a sense of humour near Lucton
Aymestry
Overnight Accommodation
Mortimer Trail B&B, Mortimer's Cross - mortimertrailbandb.co.uk
Wendy & Lawrence run this lovely B&B about 1/2 a mile outside Mortimer's Cross where there is a welcoming dog friendly pub serving good food. The B&B is spacious and we had a large bedroom, spacious bathroom and a separate lounge all to ourselves. Extremely comfortable and very reasonably priced. The pub is reached via a busy B Road however we were offered a lift to the pub but we walked down. However Lawrence very kindly brought us back.
Wendy & Lawrence run this lovely B&B about 1/2 a mile outside Mortimer's Cross where there is a welcoming dog friendly pub serving good food. The B&B is spacious and we had a large bedroom, spacious bathroom and a separate lounge all to ourselves. Extremely comfortable and very reasonably priced. The pub is reached via a busy B Road however we were offered a lift to the pub but we walked down. However Lawrence very kindly brought us back.