Baskerville to Hay Bluff and Black Hill Return to Hay-on-Wye - Wales 30 May 2022

Baskerville Hall Hotel to Hay Bluff and Black Hill Return to Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye
Wales
Distance 26km Climb 760m
Monday 30 May 2022

Today I took the opportunity of a gap in our program at the Hay Book Festival, to do a walk. Each time we come to Hay we have stayed at the Baskerville Hall Hotel campsite. It had been some time since our last visit to Baskerville Hall Hotel, it was so good to see David. 

It would also be interesting to see any changes from my last walk. From the campsite I passed the entrance to the Hotel with it's bunting for The Queen's 70 years, Platinum Jubilee. 

I walked to the rear of the Hotel and took the steps up into Cwmsirhwy Wood. As on many of my previous walks from Baskerville. At the top of the steep steps I walked up to the right to see the Hounds graveyard. 

Baskerville Hall Hotel and the Hounds graveyard had featured on Sean Fletcher's television program Wonders of the Border in January 2022. Sean was walking Offa's Dyke Path and on his way had called into Baskerville to talk to David.

Turning left and heading west I walked up a couple of rises to get onto the forest track proper. 

The track had large muddy puddles which I had to navigate my way around. As usual I noticed the woods full of bird song. I left the wood and joined the footpath that runs downhill passed a large excavation. I couldn't tell if this was any larger than on my last visit. Looking across the valley there is always the lovely view towards the mountains.

I followed the hedge line down hill south east, passing the old standing stones. Dropping down to the bottom of the field, I joined the Wye Valley Walk. The Wye Valley Walk is a 136 mile walk from Chepstow to Plynlimon, part of which we walked when we were on our Offa's Dyke Path Day 1.

After crossing over the A438, I walked by the edge of a large field of wheat, where at the end of the field I had reached the River Wye. Stopping for a few minutes to take a photo. Just as I returned my phone to my pocket a heron flew up from the River. If I had only waited a second I would have had a great photo. 

Turning left I was heading eastwards. I was feeling very warm now so stopped to remove my coat. Between bushes and high grass I could see the River Wye on my right and across the fields to my left I could see Baskerville Hall Hotel amongst the trees.

Passing the shed the grass and bushes were not as high and this allowed more views of the River.

As the River bends south, the path turns away from the River as it skirts around a house with a high hedge.  Passed the house, the footpath joins a gravel road and turns north for a few hundred meters before turning right over a small footbridge.

Over the footbridge the path climbs a little up through the trees. A fallen log still has a sign asking people to take a seat. Climbing further up the hill along the narrow path, passed the tall strong defensive walls around Wyecliff. 

At the top I passed through the gate and entered the large field which is used as a campsite. There were a lot fewer tents here today than on my previous walks across the field.

Walking eastwards around the field I stayed on the footpath.

I reached the B4351, where I turned right, south east and headed downhill towards Hay-on-Wye.

I knew from walking Offa's Dyke Path a few years ago, that just before reaching the bridge there is a track down to the left which is the route of the Offa's Dyke Path. We walked down here on our Offa's Dyke Path Day 5. Although we did go a little further, it is almost like we only got as far as Hay-on-Wye and have stopped.

Crossing the bridge on Bridge Street, looking to my left, east along the River I could see the site of The Light Gets In, another event that runs in Hay-on-Wye when the Book Festival is on. 

At the top of Bridge Street I turned right onto the B4350, Broad Street.  

Turning left at the Clock Tower onto Lion Street. After a few meters I turned right to walk up The Pavement. At the top I turned right onto Castle Street, passing the Castle. Which is now open and worth a visit.

A few meters after the Castle, there is a walkway just passed the Spar. This leads to the B4348 Oxford Road. 

Crossing the road at the zebra crossing and turning left. After a few meters I had reached Hay's big town carpark. Where I turned right and walked down hill crossing the carpark passing the new library and school and walked through the gate into a large field. Where I stopped for a few minutes to check my map and sort out my phone. When I was ready I set off again following the Offa's Dyke Path sign, south.

It was lovely and warm and looked like the day was turning into a nice day. Through a kissing gate, I was in a narrow field full of sheep. Leaving this field the path starts gently climbing up hill.

The footpath continuing southwards crossing a footbridge, Y Pont Gusanu - The Kissing Bridge. 

Over the bridge and across a narrow strip wood. I could hear what I thought was peacocks to my right. I didn't see any so I am not sure if there were any there?

A further climb across a field this time full of cows with young bullocks, standing right in my path. Through an open gate, the footpath turns to the left then follows around the edge of the field to the right. Offa's Dyke Path is well marked. Yellow caps are on the top of the footpath finger signs. 

Through the gate and the footpath turns left onto a narrow road. After a few meters a footpath signs turns right off the narrow road.

Leading into another field and follows the right hand edge heading uphill directly south.

After a few hundred meters the footpath crosses a footbridge on the right and turns left again continuing south. It becomes a little steeper as it now follows the left hand edge of a field. At the top, another gate. 

Through the gate the footpath follows uphill along a narrow steep path with trees on the left and a hedge on the right. At the top there are steps up to a narrow track. Across the narrow track the Offa's Dyke Path continues up more steps to a gate that leads to a more steeper path. The footpath climbs through Upper Danyforest.

As the path climbs the trees gave way to the open sky. If I turn around there are views across Hay-on-Wye back to Baskerville and beyond. The footpath was steep, in places steps had been cut in the ground from the feet of the many people who had climbed the path.

At the top another gate leads onto the narrow track again. Turning left the narrow track is a gentler climb passing through Cadwgan Farm. 

Through Cadwgan Farm the narrow road becomes a narrow footpath as it crosses the stream. 

After a step up the footpath turns to the right slightly before dropping down into what appears to be the stream bed. The stream is also the footpath as it moves up towards a gate.

Through the gate the footpath heads directly south as it rises to a crest. 

After a few meters the area opens up and Hay Bluff comes back into sight.

It was rather open and exposed walking across the rise. The wind that had been cooling was now cold so I put my coat back on.

I crossed the road, rather than walk the road I turned a little east and skirted the road trying to follow grass paths onto higher ground.

It was good to see the wild horses.

Turning west I followed a grass path on the high ground towards the parking area. Where I turned south and headed directly towards Hay Bluff.

It was very steep in places then turns right onto a gravel path.

Still steep, with steps in places, nearly there. Looking across I could see Lord Hereford's Knob, Anne and I had walked here in May 2016. A small turn to the left and I was on the top path.

On the tops the path levels for a few hundred meters before reaching the Hay Bluff trig point at 677m. It was very windy here.

I had a short rest, enjoying the views and had a quick look at my map. Changed my hat for a woolly hat to keep my head warm. I had time to look a little further. Decision made I continued south east from Hay Bluff along the Offa's Dyke Path.

It was at the junction where an alternative Offa's Dyke Path avoiding Hay Bluff turns down to my left. I met a lad who was walking the Offa's Dyke Path, he had walked it before, a few years ago. It was good to talk to him. 

Leaving him I continued south east along the grass path.

It was lovely walking along here. I spotted a kite riding the thermals rising from the valley. It was stunning. Unfortunately I could not get a good photo, but if you look closely you can see it as a spot in the next photo.

It did not take me long to reach the Black Hill trig point at 640m.

After a few photos I headed back along the path towards Hay Bluff.

Reaching the junction again, I now turned right and walked the alternative Offa's Dyke Path avoiding Hay Bluff.

As the footpath drops I could see my route laid out in front of me. Looking to the north west I am sure I could see The Begwns, another walk Anne and I did in June 2018.

At the bottom I returned to the footpath I had walked on my outward journey.

Through the gate, I was walking the same route in reverse.

Passed through Cadwgan Farm and along the narrow road. Turning down the steep footpath above Upper Danyforest and the stunning views.

Continuing down hill it did not take long to reach the bottom and the field that leads to the carpark. As I crossed the field I messaged Anne. Anne had been up to the Festival site and was on the bus heading back to town. The bus stop was at the top of the carpark, so I stayed here to wait for her.

It had been a great walk I had covered 26km with a 760m climb. I was wondering how far my friend was along his Offa's Dyke Path. We really need to look at completing this walk?

After some food a few drinks and another visit to the Festival site, it was much later in the day we returned to the Baskerville Hall Hotel campsite.

More to follow

Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Wales or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Bellingham to Wark and Return - Northumberland 8 March 2022

Bellingham to Wark and Return
Northumberland
Distance 28km Climb 200m
Tuesday 8 March 2022

Leaving the Riverdale Hall Hotel, Bellingham after a big lovely breakfast. We changed into our walking clothes and set off, turning right towards Bellingham Village. The same way we walked yesterday. Crossing at the junction we joined the B6320 and The Pennine Way. It was in March 2011 I walked through Bellingham on My Pennine Way. 

After a few meters we were on High Street, walking passed the Black Bull. 

You can see how windy it is today compared with yesterday's walk to Hareshaw Linn by looking at the Northumberland flag outside the Town Hall. A quick visit to the Co-op for some drinks and we were ready for our walk. 

Walking back passed the Boar War Memorial we headed down Boat Road, following signs for the Riverside Walks.

We followed Boat Road down hill. Near the bottom we continued following signs for Riverside Walks (South) as it turned left, crossing over Hareshaw Burn. 

Just at the end of the bridge we turned right and followed the footpath sign towards Boat. I saw the "Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care Walk" sign. I have seen a few of these signs on my Tyne Round a few years ago. 

Walking a muddy path by Hareshaw Burn we followed the Burn south west. Patches of snowdrops gathered by the Burn's edge. Passed the last house the Burn joins the North Tyne. 

The muddy path turns more southerly following the North Tyne.

For a few hundred meters we were walking under tall trees. Through the gate and we were in a wide open area. The footpath was flat along here. You can see although sunny it was still cold.

After a few hundred meters we were walking again under trees and bushes that followed the edge of the river. It was lovely walking along here. The path was good in places although there were a few muddy slippery areas. 

Reaching some buildings the footpath turns left and at the top we walked through a kissing gate. We were back on Boat Road. Turning right and following the road passed what may be a holiday cottage we passed a sign for The Boat Farm. 

Continuing along the road, we passed bunches of daffodils not yet flowering. I bet it is lovely here when they are all in bloom. We moved onto a grass path passing the farm house and into open fields. 

Following the river eastwards the footpath then turns north and climbs up to Redeswood on the Redesmouth Road.

Reaching Redesmouth Road we turned right heading eastwards. After a few hundred meters the road zigs-zags.

Before dropping down a little to pass under an old railway bridge. The road is really narrow here and a sign shows the road must flood in the dip beneath the bridge. We soon climbed out the dip on the far side and continued up a gentle slope for a few meters. We were on Cycle Route 10.

The road was busy and we had to step into the side a few times. After a few meters the road drops again to an area a little flooded before gently climbing up to Redesmouth and the Redesmouth Bridge. 

On the right of the road bridge we could see what remains of the pillars that would have held the railway bridge. All gone now.

Over the bridge the road climbs steeply turning slightly left then right, becoming even steeper as the road turns further to the right. At the top there are footpath signs.

We followed the signs pointing down to the right along Railway Cottages.

At the corner where Railway Cottages turn left a footpath sign took us into a field where the sign pointed across the field. The road in front of these Railway Cottages was marked private road. The ground sign took us along the edge of the field to our left, south, following by the road. The field was rutted in places from where cattle had walked when the ground was soft.

A little confused as to which way we were going we moved back onto the road. We were near Station House and an old signal box. Checking the map we returned to the field and followed to our left continued south.

Following the edge of the field right it dropped slightly. Here we saw a post very low to the ground which had the "Daft as a Brush" logo. Relief we had found the right path was tempered by a herd of cows and I am sure some bulls stamping their feet and snorting, in our way.

We could see what would have been the old station platforms as we eased passed the cattle. The cattle had made the footpath thick and sticky with mud.   

Soon passed the worse of the footpath we were walking along a dismantled railway line, heading south.

An old disused railway building looks across the valley with the North Tyne below. A few meters passed the disused building and we were at a tall style.

Over the style the footpath meandered downhill to our left, down to the right we could see a tepee through the trees. 

We were on the edge of Countesspark Wood. As the narrow path levelled off we moved onto a forest track and the amount of trees became thicker. We could hear a chainsaw in the distance but that soon stopped. Signs warned of ticks and the dangers they caused.

After a few meters we saw steps dropping down to our right so had to have a look. At the bottom of the steps a narrow peninsula led out into the river. 

There was a large piece of frozen water between the riverbank and the start of the peninsula.

A short rest, a quick drink then we set off back up the steps to the forest track and continued south.

The track gently led downhill, it was nice walking along here. The sounds of the birds, the light coming through the trees. We could see a large building on the riverbank.  

There were no signs on the building but a few seats and barbeque drums. I could imagine it would be lovely staying here.

We continued along the footpath as it follows by the North Tyne. I thought I spotted an otter near the far bank but as usual before I could get my camera ready and have a proper look it had gone. 

In places we passed a few piles of chopped tree, perhaps they had come down in the recent storms and been cut away to clear the path.

After a few hundred meters we reached the edge of Countesspark Wood. A notice on the gate advised the footpath ahead by the North Tyne was closed as it was dangerous and an alternative route was to walk the road up to the dismantled railway line.  

Following the instruction passed the building we turned right onto the road.

Ignored the footpath sign and followed the road as it turned left and went steeply up hill towards a place what the map shows is called Heugh.

Reaching the railway bridge we worked our way onto the dismantled railway line. Anne noticed the sound of a woodpecker, excellent.

It was good walking along here. After a few hundred meters we came to a gate, footpath signs cut across our path. The path to our right led down to the North Tyne and was the footpath that was closed. As there were no signs that we could not go straight ahead we continued on the dismantled railway line.

In places it was open and exposed from both sides and we could feel the cold. It also reminded me so much of our walk on The Dava Way. The dismantled railway line and lonely railway huts.   

Continuing southerly we soon reached the track that ran west down to Low Carry House. A gentle downhill stretch. 

At Low Carry House footpath signs directed us around the House onto a farm track that took us further north westerly. Dropping down to some large farm buildings. 

"Daft as a Brush" signs took us along the fence. 

Back to the riverbank on the North Tyne.

Following the River we walked in a big loop, passing a derelict hut. Reaching a gate where we could see a fallen tree blocking the route.

Through the gate we could see where other people had walked around the fallen tree, so we just followed.

It was nice walking along here, bunches of snowdrops and daffodils not yet in flower grew. The wind was turning colder as the footpath turned south. We could hear the traffic on the B6320 across the River.

The footpath moves from the riverbank into the fields on our left.

Reaching Blindburn we walked the track near the River.

Through the gates and after a few hundred meters the track becomes a road. We soon got our first view of Wark Bridge.

We were soon crossing the Bridge.

Walking up Main Street we had a quick look around before having a short rest.

After our short rest we headed back. Almost the same route back. 

On our way to Blindburn we saw a lovely couple who told us they had occasionally seen kingfishers on the River near where we stood.

Continuing on the loop around the large farm building below Low Carry House a quick look in the derelict tin hut shows it must be used by fishermen.  

Back on the dismantled railway line more memories of our walk on The Dava Way. I also thought of my friend Billy he would have loved to have seen this dismantled line.

When we reached Heugh instead of walking down the road we had walked up, we continued along the dismantled railway. Thinking it may save us some time on our return journey. After a few hundred meters we crossed another railway bridge and came across a gate showing the path ahead was private. Fortunately after back tracking a few steps there was a footpath from this bridge that led to the road.

This road led us down hill under the bridge.

Back on our original footpath. We soon passed the buildings and turned right to the entrance of Countesspark Wood. Where we continued along the same route as on our outward journey.  

We had to take care on the Redesmouth Road, as traffic seamed a lot more frequent. Crossing the fields between Redeswood and Boat Farm. Three sheep started following us, before we knew it we had a large flock, very close to our heels. I am not sure if they thought we looked like the farmer or lunch. Even when we had crossed into the next field they were banging and pulling at the gate to get through to us. 

When we reached Boat Road at Boat Farm, instead of following the footpath by the River we continued along Boat Road. We soon reached Bellingham where it was a short walk back to the Riverdale Hall Hotel. Where after a quick wash and change we had a well deserved meal. Really good food and drink at the Riverdale Hall Hotel we would like to come here again.

We had walked 28km with approx 200m climb.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Northumberland or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.