BROMYARD

OS Map: Explorer 202

Bromyard, the smallest of Herefordshire's market towns, is set on a plateau above the river Frome. There are many orchards and hopfields in the surrounding undulating countryside; indeed eastern Herefordshire is the largest hop production area in England. During the autumn harvesting season the sweet rich smell of hops pervades the air, adding a new experience to your rambling. The town has a Norman church of interest and a number of fine black and white houses including the outstanding Tower Hill House.

Lovely walking areas around Bromyard include Bromyard downs and the Brockhampton Estate (NT) just east of the town. The National Trust estate includes extensive woodland including ancient oaks and beeches. The National Trust say "walks through both the park and woodland combine to form a rich habitat for wildlife such as dormouse, buzzard and raven". The estate also includes Lower Brockhampton House, a very picturesque late 14th.C moated manor house. There is a really charming timber framed gatehouse and also a ruined chapel. At the moment extensive repairs to the gatehouse are being undertaken, so it is shrouded in scaffolding.

A little further east from Brockhampton is the the more dramatic beauty of Bringsty Common. A really superb day walk can be planned from Bromyard across Bromyard Downs with it's lovely views and on to Bringsty Common. Then head north across wooded hills and valleys to Tedstone Delamere. Return via Upper Norton, Sandy Cross and Buckenhill Manor. The whole area north east of Bromyard between the River Teme and the B4203 road as far as the county border is a marvellous walking area with many footpaths through wooded hills, the Sapey Brook valley and sleepy villages.

The Frome valley south of Bromyard to Bishops Frome is also very attractive and worth exploring with good footpath access close to the river in a number of places.