Join Our Newsletter
Blog Contact Us
Get Listed
© 2024 Herefordshire County BID

The Castle & The Common

Image
yarpole
Map Marker Illustration
Yarpole
Wellies Illustration
5.6 miles
Paw Print Illustration
Ending Pub is Dog Friendly
Intro

A circular walk in the wooded areas of Oaker and Bircher Coppices. Includes a county-distinctive detached bell tower church dating back to 1332, and Croft Castle which harks back to a similar period.

Don't Miss

One of the six Herefordshire Churches that has an unusual detached bell tower dating back to 1332. The three large enclosures are thought to represent stock and farmstead enclosures dating from the Iron Age. Within the wooded areas of Oaker and Bircher Coppices and Lyngham Vallet, there are remains of circular levelled platforms once used for charcoal burning.

Total elevation gain: 211m

Route Guide

This route takes you to the east of Leonard’s Church in Yarpole, where you will come across the church with a detached bell tower. These bell towers were built with thick stone walls and are thought by some historians to have doubled up as places of refuge or safety when the village was threatened.

On the walk, the path up to Bircher Common is very well signposted. As you climb up the the southern side of Bircher Common look over your shoulder for great views over North Herefordshire and into Worcestershire. Walk through the woodland in between Oaker Coppice and Bircher Coppice to pick up the Mortimer Trail heading west.

When you leave the Mortimer Trail, head downhill into the grounds of Croft Castle. You might like to take a short detour here to look around this historic site.

Download GPX
Use GPX files with your favourite mapping app. Learn more

Plan your trip

Image
stay

Stay

Our tiny green county is a stunning spot for a UK staycation. You can, quite literally, escape to the country.

Image
oaker wood

Things to do

When it comes to things to see and do, Herefordshire is small but mighty! Get away from it all in our wild landscapes.

Image
Croft Castle

National Trust Croft Castle

Croft Castle encapsulates 1000 years of power, politics and pleasure in an intimate family home.