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The Lower Olchon Valley

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Walk directions

A path opposite Greyhound Close at the foot of the lay-by leaves between houses to a field. Cross to a stile part-way along the right boundary and continue in the next field, rounding an indented corner to exit over a stile at the bottom on to a road. Go left over the River Monnow and then right.

Just beyond a second bridge, cross a stile in the left hedge. Bear right to overgrown steps part-way along the bank, and then go left on a rough track past a scrapyard to a field gate. Walk forward with a hedge on your left, continuing over a stile in the next field above Esclay Brook. Fording a stream, pass into a wood and climb right. Emerging from the trees, bear right across rough pasture to a gate. Carry on by the left boundary, then, over a stile, angle right down to a gate. Follow a permissive path within the boundary of a wood. Emerging at the top, continue ahead across successive meadows. Eventually over a footbridge, pass through more woodland and then a meadow corner to reach a lane.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Lanes, tracks and field paths in mixed farmland, many stiles

Landscape - Rolling farmland and the Black Mountains ridge

Dog friendliness - Under close control; small dogs may need help on stiles

Parking - About 300yds (274m) north of The Crown, Longtown, on castle road, in long bay fronting houses

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Herefordshire

About the walk

Longtown is a typical linear village, strung out for almost 0.5 miles (800m) along the narrow road through the Olchon Valley between Hay-on-Wye and Abergavenny. It is suggested that the site, lying in the shadow of the Black Mountains on a spur of high ground between the Olchon and Monnow valleys,... may have originally been fortified during the Iron Age or Roman period. Whether or not this was the case, it was ideally suited to the Norman Marcher lords, charged to keep the border with Wales under control. Like the castle at Weobley, Longtown was commissioned by Walter de Lacy, but here, the later stone fortifications as well as the earthworks have survived and it remains an impressive site. At its heart is a soaring earth and rubble mound, the motte, the original wooden tower at its top replaced by a stone keep in the 13th century. Although an English castle, the keep is circular, a design more usually seen in neighbouring Wales, and was carefully built to avoid collapse. Its foundations slope outwards and the structure is supported by three round buttresses. A spiral staircase gave access to an upper storey containing the lord’s private apartments, with a garderobe added for his convenience. For a while, the castle must have been an important link in the Norman strategic line of defence, for there is another, probably earlier motte and bailey just 1 mile (1.6km) to the south at Pont Hendre. As peace settled upon the area, however, the castle became redundant and, apart from being re-garrisoned in the early 15th century in response to Owain Glyndwr’s uprising to reinstate Welsh sovereignty, fell out of use. Clodock takes its name from a sixth-century Celtic saint, supposedly buried here, with an early church founded over his tomb. A ninth-century tombstone found in the nave is evidence of a Saxon church, with the Norman building evolving out of that. Inside, the pews are laid out in an unusual manner with box pews in the centre, overlooked by a splendid three-decker pulpit; the priest’s preaching platform overlooking the clerk’s stall and a reading desk. There are three ancient parish chests, one dating to the 12th century. The parish money-box has three separate locks, a key being held by the priest and each of the churchwardens to avoid embezzlement. Look, too, for the elegant Norman font and, on the wall tucked beneath the minstrels’ balcony, a stone tablet setting out the 1805 judgement of the Hereford Assizes that established monetary payments to be made in lieu of tithe payments. The dove (a symbol of peace) carved in one corner is thought to mean that both sides were happy with the judgement. Just downstream is Clodock Mill, a restored watermill dating to the 13th century. Although privately owned, it is opened on National Mills Weekend (second weekend in May).

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About the area

Herefordshire is split in two by the River Wye which meanders through the county on its way to the Severn and the sea. Largely rural, with Hereford, Leominster, and Ross-on-Wye the major towns and cities, its countryside and ancient villages are the county’s major asset.

Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.25 miles (8.4kms)

Ascent:

820ft (250m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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The Lower Olchon Valley

Recommended by

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.25 miles (8.4kms)

Ascent:

820ft (250m)

Walk directions

1 of 5

2 of 5

Go right to a T-junction and turn left, leaving almost immediately beside a gate on the right. Climb with the hedge from field to field up Mynydd Ferddin. Strike across the top field to adjacent gates in the far corner. Go through the left one and maintain the diagonal line, passing through more gates in the corner onto a track. Over a stile at the end, go right alongside the hedge, passing through a tree windbreak to continue in the next long pasture. Exit over a stile, passing Upper Brooks Farm to walk away left along a narrow lane.

3 of 5

At a sharp bend, leave right through a gate into a field. Disregard the signpost pointing confidently ahead and instead swing half-right across the field to find a gate tucked in the hedge corner. Ignore the gate and instead bear right through a gap. Follow the left hedge for 40yds (37m) to a gate and carry on downfield, the hedge now on your right. Keep going through the next two fields, then, near a ruined barn, Garn-galed, descend a bank to a metal gate. Walk down two more fields and on past a high-hedged house to join a rough track. Emerging at the edge of Clodock, go right into the village.

4 of 5

Over the bridge, turn right behind cottages and through the churchyard on a riverside path. Parting from the Monnow in the second field, cross two more fields. Now follow the left hedge, crossing stiles to a lane. Turn right to Longtown, keeping left at a fork to return to the start.

5 of 5

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Lanes, tracks and field paths in mixed farmland, many stiles

Landscape - Rolling farmland and the Black Mountains ridge

Dog friendliness - Under close control; small dogs may need help on stiles

Parking - About 300yds (274m) north of The Crown, Longtown, on castle road, in long bay fronting houses

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Herefordshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

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Get an AA guide

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Been on this walk?

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About the area

Herefordshire

The Lower Olchon Valley

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The Lower Olchon Valley

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