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RODGE HILL. Having attained the summit of Rodge Hill, do not turn
right to walk along the ridge, but go down the farm track to Rodge
Hill Farm and continue down to the road. (1) Turn right and in about
60 yards a signpost on the left points the route alongside a copse
which is a mass of bluebells in Spring. At the end of the field
turn right (2) along a farm track to the orchard. Here in Summer
skylarks resound in the blue infinity, their song filling the air,
though they are invisible above. Along the brook, primroses and
violets decorate the banks in Spring. Through the orchard gate,
the path leads diagonally left between the trees and continues through
the newly planted area to a waymarking post (3). These orchards
belong to Bulmers of Hereford and produce only cider apples. At
the post, turn right towards the buildings and at the farm gate;
turn right down the farm track. At the end, turn left and leave
the orchard via the green metal gate (4). Cross the field to the
wooden causeway built over boggy ground. Go straight ahead through
the next gate and continue in the same direction to two gates side
by side (5). Here the path turns back upon itself as indicated by
the waymarking arrow, and heads towards a gateway in the right hand
hedge. |
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Through
the gate, head right across the field to a stile and plank crossing
over a little stream, and in the next field keep along the hedge
on your left to another stile and bridge crossing. Over the stile,
go ahead to the next stile and through a little 'alley' between
field fences to a further stile and signpost leading on to the lane
(6). Turn right in the Martley direction and go down the lane to
a signpost pointing up a farm track on the left. Go up the track
past Alden's Farm and between the sheep pastures to the junction
with another lane opposite a large farmhouse, Lingen Farm. Turn
right down the lane until a tiny grass triangle separates three
lanes. Take the left hand lane and just after the bungalow, climb
the stile on the right (7) and cross this field by the route usually
indicated by stakes and lines, to a ditch crossing. This crossing
leads onto the playing field of the Chantry High School. Turn right
and walk towards a stile in the hedge (8). Climb this and bear left
towards another stile, which leads into an avenue of damson trees,
particularly attractive at blossom time. At the end, the path veers
to the left onto a track leading down to the main Worcester road.
Cross the road carefully and go down through the churchyard by the
right hand path to the car park (9). Follow the waymarking sign
up the lane to a signpost and stile on the left. Over the stile,
turn right and fol1ow the fence line to the waymarking arrow by
the new barn conversions (10).Turn left and walk straight across
the field to the stile and gate opposite on to the main road. Martley
has the 'Crown' public house opposite, and the village shop and
Post Office adjacent. If not requiring these amenities, turn left
and walk past the houses and the Memorial Hall to the junction with
Kingswood Lane (11). Crossing carefully, walk up Kingswood Lane
to rejoin the Worcestershire Way at the fingerpost. |
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