29/04/14 - A little walk from the little packhorse

Distance - 2.5 Miles
Geocaches - 0
Walk From - Short Walks from Worcestershire Pubs

Ribbesford at EveryTrail


A 2.5 Mile walk is just what the light evenings are for.  But even this can be an adventure of sorts.

For a start, we get to take in a top 10 county pub as a refreshment stop on the end.  There is also a surprising amount of history for a walk so tiny and on paths so well known.

Start up at the parking and head downstream along the river.  Under the bypass bridge, through Blackstone Country park and over the road to Ribbesford Manor and Church.

Molly on Blackstone Country Park Approach

This is our first bit of history - reasonably well known to locals.  General De Gaulle spent some time in exile and French Free Officers used it as a training centre in WW2.  A 12 year old Mappiman used to get his conkers from the tree lined avenue.

De Gaulle's Gaff

Ribbesford Church

Pick up the Worcestershire way and head on through Snuff Mills for a bit of less well known history and we are back to the old favourites, the Tudors.  In the area opposite the pub, there was a Tudor Palace - Tickenhill.  Prince Arthur - elder brother of Henry VIII, first husband of Catherine of Aragon - held court here as Lord President of the Marshes.  Henry VIII sent his daughter, Mary, to live here in 1525.

Enough with the history, we are also here to knock off our closest Top 10 County Pub.  The little pack horse.  Famous for a pie that has horns coming out the pastry.

Pie Advert

Knocking on the Door

Hobsons.  Choice.

Something new learned on a well trod route and a fine pint.