ELEVEN walkers joined Joy from Penarth and District Ramblers for the trip up to Goodrich in Herefordshire and on a beautiful winter’s morning under blue skies and in bright sunshine, a short walk led to the red sandstone ruins of Goodrich Castle and its deep surrounding moat.

Originally established in 1095 by Godric Mappestone but subsequently turned into a strong fortress in the late 13th century by William de Valence, the castle was deliberately slighted during the Civil War after a long siege when the Royalist forces were beaten by Colonel Birch for the Parliamentarians with the help of ‘Roaring Meg’ the only surviving Civil War mortar.

Passing behind the school and tramping through a field to the elegant tall spired St Giles Church, as boots were already muddy only a quick peep inside to view the lovely stained glass windows before heading downhill to cross the B4229.

A well-worn track through a ploughed and seeded field led them uphill to a lane and then up steep muddy steps to an open path leading up to the trig point at 188m on Coppet Hill, which afforded them great views back to the castle and Goodrich village.

Pausing for morning coffee at the ruins of The Folly once the home of the warriner whose job was to care for the rabbit population introduced to this country by the Normans by providing them with food, shelter and protection, the views stretched to the Malvern Hills, the Black Mountains, the twisting River Wye and the rather mysterious ridged Queen Stone near a river bend in the valley below.

Tramping along the very muddy ridgeway before descending through woodland to the north bank of the River Wye there were views up across the river towards the viewing platform at Yat Rock, whilst towering above them the tall cliffs of the Coldwell Rocks where Peregrine falcons nest.

Heading along the river bank a stop to view the memorial in the woods to John Whitehead Warre who on September 14, 1804, at the age of 15, tragically drowned after swimming in the Wye and his parents devised this monument complete with the story of their loss, to warn other parents and children about the dangers of what they called ‘this deceitful stream.’

Making their way upstream below the farm buildings of The Green, a farmer zoomed through on a small truck past the sedate herd of Hereford cattle with their growing calves in the valley and disturbed a small herd of roe deer from a copse that ran gracefully at speed across the hilltop towards Coppet Hill.

A badly eroded bank led them into a small wood containing banks of snowdrops and reaching the old railway bridge that once carried the Ross and Monmouth railway over the Wye to the old Lydbrook Station and carrying on to Welsh Bicknor, a stop for lunch below St Margaret’s Church where work is being carried out on what is now private property.

The original Norman church was demolished and rebuilt in 1858 by the wealthy rector the Rev John Burden who also built the three-storey grand stone rectory next to it, which upon its closure was turned into a popular Youth Hostel.

After admiring the stunning carpet of snowdrops near the church and continuing along the riverbank below the huge Courtfield House, owned for centuries by the Vaughan family until it was sold to missionaries as a retreat but has since been sold back into the Vaughan family, a huge half-moon bend in the river lay ahead.

Following a path through Thomas Wood with the imprints of deer hooves in the thick wet slippery mud just above the turbulent Wye after spells of recent heavy rainfall; several fallen trees lay across the path.

Then reaching the sturdy five-arched Kerne Bridge built as a toll bridge in 1828 to carry coal and iron ore from the Forest of Dean to south Wales, a road-walk led past the old Augustinian Flanesford Priory, built in 1346 and back to Goodrich.

On February 19, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 13-mile moderate walk taking in Craig Ogwr and the Ogmore Forest; contact John R on 07484 844 533.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice.

To follow the group please log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com or Facebook. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.