Castlemorton Common, Eastnor and British Camp

Grade - Moderate with a couple of short climbs

Map - O.S. Explorer 190 (Malvern Hills and Bredon Hill)

Suitable for - Anyone in reasonable health but strenuous in a couple of places

Duration - 3 hours

Start - Car parking on Castlemorton Common at Berrow Down, Grid Ref. SO765381 (Click here for large scale map or here for detail)

Refreshments - Pub and cafe at British Camp - sometimes Ice Cream van at Castlemorton Common car park!

This walk commences on Castlemorton Common, a fine open stretch of land which stretches for a considerable distance along the South-Eastern flanks of the Malvern Hills. The car park lies near the entrance to The Gullet and is reached by taking a turning off the B4208 almost opposite a public house about 1 mile South of Welland.

The approach road is single track for much of its length although the open ground it traverses makes driving safer than some sunken lanes I've been on! It is essential, however, to be aware of the fact that this is a working common and livestock, normally sheep and cattle, can and do roam freely. Please drive with this in mind!

The road is about a mile in length and terminates at the car park which is at a junction of narrow roads. This area is administered by the Malvern Hills Conservators and a small parking fee is payable.

To start the walk, turn Westwards (see sketch 1.) to follow a metalled track which leads towards a gap plainly seen in the hills. Passing a cottage on your left, the Gullet Quarry is quickly reached. This now disused quarry was the last one to be worked in the Malvern Hills; closed in the 1970's it has been turned into an attractive site by the Malvern Hills Conservators and is now a popular picnic spot. Continue along a path to the left of the large quarry pool, which supports on last sighting a good population of fish including literally dozens of goldfish! The abrupt quarried cliffs to the right are the home to many varieties of wildfowl and attempts to scale them will vary from the foolhardy to the outright suicidal, so leave them to the birds!

After a short way a path is joined, so bear to the right to follow it up through the wooded valley, ignoring another path to the right which heads off up through the trees. It can be rough in parts, with some slippery bits in wet weather, so watch your footing and all will be well.

The track is good if rough and narrows toward the top, more so since it was closed to wheeled traffic. (Back to Walk 5) Upon reaching a junction of tracks at the head of the valley, a gate will be seen directly opposite, which gives entrance to the Eastnor Estate. Pass through this and head uphill along a well-defined track until the Obelisk is reached.

This impressive structure is a memorial to the Somers family and from it is seen a panorama including the Northern Malvern Hills and Eastnor Castle, a nineteenth century structure built to resemble a mediaeval castle, sitting in the valley below.

Continue on past the Obelisk, following an obvious track, now well-made and very obvious, to start descending the hill into Eastnor Park (see sketch 2.)

This extensive piece of parkland is the home to herds of deer, and, in season, herds of caravans! About half way down the hill was a standpipe for the caravanners, very handy if you're thirsty (gone now as at April '07, but there is a tap near the portaloo station - don't know if it's drinking water though - it doesn't say it isn't, however).

Continue down into the valley, keeping the large duck ponds to your left. This is a delightful spot for a picnic on a summer day but be warned! The ducks are skilled in the art of picnicker-mugging and are totally ruthless.........

Having successfully evaded the ducks, climb up the slope on the other side of the valley, aiming for the top of a metalled track which can be seen to the right. Upon reaching the brow of the slope turn right onto a track, keeping to the left of the old gatehouse to cross a cattle-grid.

Carry on forward up this broad track for a walk through woodland where in season can be found wild daffodils, wood anemone and celandine in profusion. The path trends gently uphill for about a mile - ignore any side paths and keep forward until a T-junction is reached. Here bear left and watch out for a well-waymarked track leading off to the right - this is part of the Worcestershire Way. This is a broad, easily followed track that eventually reaches the main A449 road.

Go ahead along a broad green track until a gravelled track is seen over to your left. Join this and pass by a house, (2) where often the owners leave a mug for the thirsty to obtain water from the outside tap by the wall. Passing the house continue along an enclosed lane and where this bends off to the left keep straight ahead over the grass, following the line of a green track across the common and disregarding a rutted track that leads off to the right.

The track here is indistinct but aim for a lone fir tree seen ahead on the skyline. Having crossed a couple of tiny streams (this can be a bit muddy in wet weather but is otherwise fine), a small rise is crested. From here it is a pleasant stroll straight ahead until the car park at the start point is regained where on most weekend afternoons that great British Institution, the ice cream van, is waiting for your delight and delectation!

Walk 1. Walk 2. Walk 3. Walk 5. Walk 6. Walk 7. Walk 8. Walk 9. Walk 10. Walk 11. Walk 12. Walk 13. Walk 14. Walk 15

Sketch 2

Upon reaching the road turn left, taking care on this busy road, cross over and turn right at a Worcestershire Way signpost some twenty yards or so away. From here follow waymarks to turn first left down a wooded slope then head off across a field - all well waymarked - until reaching a T-junction of footpaths at an obvious fingerpost. Here turn right and follow the track as it climbs uphill to again meander through a wooded area - can be a bit slippy in the wet! - until you emerge just opposite the side of the Malvern Hills Hotel. Refreshments can be obtained here from the Hotel or from the tea and ice cream kiosk to the right.

Suitably fortified, again cross the main A449 road with care to gain the British Camp car park. Now commences the last part of the day's walk. Head down the slope of the car park until the bottom corner is reached. Here a track will be seen leading downhill between trees.

Go forward along this along an easy descent which takes you along the side of the steep, thickly wooded hill with a deep valley to your left. Continue until the trees open out and a house is seen to your left, (1) with a reservoir to the right. Keep straight ahead to descend a steep but well-surfaced track that trends gently to the right to reach the bottom of the reservoir's flank.

Here the track ends and a narrower path continues with a small stream first to your right, then, upon reaching a fork in the path, bear right up the main path to continue through sparse woodland until emerging once again on to the edge of Castlemorton Common. (Sketch 3.)