APPERLEY & DEERHURST CIRCUIT
A delightful circuit along field-side and riverside paths, offering superb views of the Cotswolds, Malvern Hills & Severn Vale. There are several shorter variants, alternative starting points or possible extensions.
START: The walk starts at Apperley Village Hall on Sawpit Lane (1). There is a car park. Heading north from the hall, proceed along the right hand side of the football pitch (please keep your dog on a lead until you have left the playing fields
area) to the "top right" corner and cross the stile bridge (2) into the next field.
Numbers in the text below refer to pictures. Hover over the picture to see the number.
area) to the "top right" corner and cross the stile bridge (2) into the next field.
Numbers in the text below refer to pictures. Hover over the picture to see the number.
Once across the bridge you will see a well trodden path between two fields (the hedge has long since been removed) past an electricty pole (3) and on towards Whightfield Manor. Follow the path as it bears left and joins a "cart track" (4) alongside the Manor grounds until you reach "Concrete Corner" (5) where a number of fields meet.
Follow the "cart track" along the left hand side of the hedgerow (6) between two large fields, passing a gas pipeline marker (7) before heading across an open field where the hedgerow has been removed, offering splendid views to the right towards Walton Hill and the Cotswold escarpment (8).
At the far side of the field the track reaches "Three Gate Corner" (9), where paths branch off in all directions. Cross the stile to the left of the left hand gate and go downhill, still on the "cart track" (10), passing the entrance to the "Old Vicarage" on your left as you follow a sunken lane which opens out as you pass Abbot's Court Farm to reach the historic village of Deerhurst (11).
At the end of the road turn left at the T-junction, passing Deerhurst House on your right as you approach the floodgate (12), Climb the steps and walk through the gate onto the floodbank (13), revealing views of Deerhurst's two fine Saxon buildings; Odda's Chapel with its adjacent mediaeval half timbered house and Deerhurst Priory Church (14)
For those who wish to visit the Priory Church there is a stile in the corner of the field (15) leading across the lane to the main entrance, otherwise head across the field ahead of you to the gate alongside Odda's Chapel. Entry to the chapel (16) is free and there is a Car Park here (17) if you wish to start/finish the walk in Deerhurst.
The walk continues through the gate and along the track ahead (18) to the bank of the River Severn to join the Severn Way Long Distance Path. Turn left along the riverbank, over stiles and through gates (19), with beautiful views west across the Severn to the Malvern Hills (20).
Proceed along the Severn Way past an old brick pond on the left (21). Just after this pond is a stile (22) and path cutting across a field to the corner of Gabb Lane offering a short cut back up the lane into Apperley Village. Otherwise continue along the riverbank, with a fine tree to the left (23), before arriving at the Coal House Inn (24).
Please check with the Coal House Inn (01452 780211) in advance if you intend to stop for a drink and/or food, as it is not always open every day - especially in winter. To continue the walk, follow the lane away from the river and round behind the pub, but almost immediately turn right off the lane through the gate by the cattle grid (25), follow the track to about half way across the field and then bear right off the track to the stile to the left of the gate ahead of you on the far side of the field (26).
The path is indistinct as it heads up the steep field ahead to reach a stile to the left of the gate at the top of the hill (27). Over this stile walk along the right hand edge of the next field and through another gate (28), before reaching the road and turning left (29) towards the centre of Apperley Village. Continue past the village school on the right and at the crossroads in the centre of the village turn right (30), heading down Sawpit Lane to return to the Village Hall.
