27/05/19 - Town Walk and The Prince of Wales, Ledbury

Distance - 4 Miles
Walk Inspiration
Geocaches - 2


Mrs M has never been to Ledbury.   I needed no further excuse to take her to one of the finest pubs found my travels - The Prince of Wales.

First, a walk needs to be found for Guide Dog in Training, Joy.   It must be getting close to her leaving us to go to "big school" as the adult kids want to come along for the walk too.   How lovely to spend a bank holiday with my immediate family.

The round has just doubled in price.

Ledbury has a Town Trail which is a perfect sounding 3.5 miles.  It starts at Leadon Valley Picnic area and follows the river north until the water disappears.   Joy has been with us a year and despite loving a good paddle, will not progress in the water above her shoulders.  There's plenty of chance for her to practice until the river runs out and she emerges from the nettles with four muddy "boots". 

We hope she is clean by the time we get to the pub.   There's plenty of time, as we leave the river to pick up a disused railway line for more free running. 

A fine walk for families and dogs.

Today's Walk

Guide Dog Joy unnecessarily using a bridge

Easy Walking along a disused railway line

To visit the town, you can either take a detour from the railway line or pop in after the walk. 

And what's there?  Lots of independent shops, some classic "black and white architecture" and of course the Prince of Wales.

I have so many versions of this photo over the years

You can tell from the photo, its a classic.   Dating from 1545 and Grade II listed.  In completing research, I found a story that sums up Britain in two acts.

Act 1)  In March 2009, the landlord woke up to find that pranksters had painted the pub pink overnight.  A group of "workers" in overalls were observed setting up dust sheets and ladders.   They were assumed to be legit, as they looked so professional.   They even dropped an invoice "for works completed" through the letterbox.  The landlord had no idea who did it or what for and exclaimed;

"We have no idea who did it. We've never had any bother with vandals and we keep a good house here – there is never any swearing or being abusive"

Act 2)  West Mercia Police made the Landlord re-paint back to the original black and white, as it broke Grade II listed building standards.

There you go - Britain in a nutshell - bizarre practical jokes, no doubt forged after one too many and bureaucracy.

I'll drink to that.   Thornbridge California Sun in perfect condition.