After a couple of weeks at home we are away again in the caravan. This time we are in Worcestershire staying at The Old Orchard CL, which is close to the village of Ombersley just north of Worcester. I read good reviews of this site a couple of years ago and it has been on the list of places to visit ever since.
Soon after setting up I am lacing my boots to head out for a short walk to explore the local area. We have not stayed in this part of Worcestershire before so I’m looking forward to some new walks during our visit.
Leaving the site by the driveway I turn right and walk down through the hamlet passing Yew Tree House with a King Edward VII post box in its garden wall. A feature of my walks over recent years has been to check on postboxes I pass, the ones in England have the cypher of the monarch who reigned at the time the box was installed. Edward VII was monarch from 1901 to 1910 so this one is pretty old.
I keep with the road and carry straight on at a junction and follow this quiet lane as it heads in a southerly direction. Soon the hedges disappear and I pass arable fields with a rich loamy soil. This area is known for its fruit and vegetable growing. Coming from Wiltshire I am used to walking in fields with chalk and flint.
I stay with the road heading South until I reach Pipstyle House, parts of this attractive building date back to the 1500’s with alterations made in the 1700’s. Restoration took place in the mid 1900’s and these days it would be listed by Estate Agents as a very desirable property and would be way out of my price range.
At Pipstyle House I turn left into Uphampton Lane and head steadily downhill. I pass a footpath on the left, which I will be taking later but first I want to walk a bit further down the lane to check out the local pub.
I soon pass a static caravan park and next door to it is the Fruiterer’s Arms. Apparently this pub has been run by generations of the same family since 1848, which must be some sort of record for an independent free house. It is said to be a traditional boozer, with the focus being on selling local beer and serving light snacks. I am tempted to stop for a beer but know Lynnie is preparing food so decide to wait for another day. I am sure there will be an opportunity to visit before too long.
From the pub I turn around and walk back up the road and just after passing the far end of the static caravan park take the footpath on the right leading into arable fields.
I keep heading north across the field until I reach a minor road which I cross and then join a path on the opposite side. This is poorly maintained and slightly overgrown but I am able to find my way to a gate which leads into a parkland area below Woodfield House.
Woodfield House is on my left across the parkland, it was built in the late 1700’s and was extended in the mid 1800’s. Later I try, to no avail, to find some more information on its history.
The footpath across the parkland leads to a stile over a metal fence. I now cross a minor road and join a footpath along a track opposite. I keep left at a fork in the track and stay with the path as it heads through horticultural fields to reach a crossing of paths where I turn left. I head through a gate and enter a pasture field and continue gradually uphill.
This footpath leads back to the minor road in front of Yew Tree House. Now I turn right and walk the short distance back up the lane to reach the entrance of the Old Orchard CL. My wander around has covered three miles, which means it was roughly a mile and a half to the pub. Now all I have to do is find a way of combining a trip to the Fruiterer’s with one of our forthcoming walks.
You can view this 3 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
To follow my walk, you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map – 204 – Worcester & Droitwich Spa
27th June 2021
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.
