Walk 3300 - printer friendly version

The Hergest Ridge from Kington Walk

Author - Peter Lane

Length - 8.5 miles / 13.8 km

Ascent - 1200 feet / 364 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SO296565
Lat 52.202213 + Long -3.031533
Postcode HR5 3TA (approx. location only)

A walk on one of the finest parts of the Offa's Dyke path along the Hergest Ridge, immortalised by Mike Oldfield in his album of the same name released in 1974. Starting from the quaint market town of Kington near the Welsh border, this is a superb route to delight any hill walker or Marilyn bagger.

The start point for this walk is the pay and display car park opposite the museum in Crabtree Road off Mill Street West, grid reference SO296565. This is a convenient spot with facilities opposite and ready access to the town for browsing, eating, drinking or visiting the free museum. Impecunious ramblers can drive further up Mill Street and park on the road near the recreation ground for free.

Leave the car park and return towards the High Street, turning up the hill on Church Street to the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Pass through the churchyard and then cross Montfort Road and head up Ridgebourne Road, signposted to Hergest Croft Gardens. This road becomes a track which is well signposted as the Offa's Dyke National Trail (acorn symbol). This route is straightforward over the entire ridge. Look out for the remains of the racecourse around the summit and, obviously, the spectacular views. Marilyn hill and trig point baggers will have to make a slight detour to the left to achieve the summit proper. This worthwhile, short diversion will afford some great views back to the Shropshire hills and forward to the Welsh hills.

Descend the well marked path to where the final "peak" along the ridge is ahead on the right at grid reference SO240553 and take the bridlepath doubling back along the side of the ridge. This path follows the 350m contour for the most part, providing a less strenuous return route. When it meets the bridlepath that descends from the summit ridge, it is demoted to a footpath, but continues along the same direction. Continue until it returns to the outward route and Ridgebourne Road. Retrace back to the car park. Take some time to explore the free museum and pleasant market town.

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