27/06/20 - Fownhope and the Wye Valley Walk

Distance - 9 Miles
Geocaches - 6 Found
Walk Inspiration - The Times - June 6th 2020


That Times Newspaper from the start of June has paid for itself.  The second Saturday running that I have completed one of their "20 Walks for Summer".

This is a delight.

It suggests starting at the Green Man in Fownhope.  I'm hoping this is my last week of blogging Pub Walks without Pubs.  With it not quite open, I decide to relocate the start to a picnic area high above the River Wye at Brockhampton.

This also means that I can add a 2 mile loop to attempt some geocaches. I have a poor day, getting as many DNF as F and I cannot totally blame the cows.  All was not lost, I had superb views and stumbled across the thatched church, falsely appreciating its antiquity.  Only 118 years old in 2020.

Parking - High above the Wye... I'm bound to rue the walk back up at the end

Friends helping with the Geocaching

Brockhampton's Thatched Church

The Geocaches are laid along the Wye Valley Trail - which leads from the church up to Capler Camp Hillfort - providing views to the land where the pubs won't be open on the glorious 4th.

Looking over Wales

Agricultural land turns into Pagets/Lea Wood.  The views don't get any less impressive, even when looking back over to England.

Looking over England

Fownhope is dominated by its main road and provides access to the River Wye.  A bigger than expected church and two pubs - with the Green Man winning the prize for most impressive sign.

Would the New Inn have received the Mappiman Dollar?

or the no words required Green Man

A good couple of miles back along the meandering River Wye.  Canoeists, fly fishermen and a very hairy pathway at Leabank, where fortunately there were ropes to assist with a path that is falling into the river.  The canoeists had decided to commandeer a little beach, but a little further along is the remains of a ferry jetty.

Looked a perfect place for lunch.

As good as this Hawkshead Gold is, I am looking forward to next weeks cask.

My Lunch Spot for the day - the Swans know all the good places

The river is left behind at Brinkley Hill Farm.  The climb back to the picnic area showed me how it got it's name.