Second in our series of recommended walks by B&B and accommodation owners in and around Ludlow is Abdon Ramblers Retreat. Nestled within Shropshire’s Area of Outstanding Beauty in the shadow of the Brown Clee Hill, owner, Nicola, runs two self catering retreats.
It’s a beautiful setting from which to explore Ludlow and even further afield and given its name, it’s a perfect spot for walkers to explore. Nicola’s recommended walk provides stunning views out to Wales and the Malvern Hills and the chance to have a look at an abandoned medieval village.
Nicola and Gary owners of Abdon Ramblers Retreat
Abdon Ramblers Retreat consists of two accommodations ideal for walkers situated in the shadow of the Brown Clee. This walk is a loop just over 5 miles taking in all that this spectacular area has to offer.
Out the door and…
Walk up the drive, turn left up the lane past St Margaret’s Church. The church dates back to 1138, but except perhaps for the thick walls of the nave, none of the original fabric remains. In 1737 a sum of £1,120 was necessary for repairs and many features of the present building date from then. The church is open all year round, please feel free to pop in.
Calling all walkers?
Continue up the lane from the church until you reach the village hall — formerly, a village school. About half a mile further up the lane you will come to a junction sign posted Cockshotford, turn right up the hill, where there is a red telephone box — now a book exchange library.
A little further up the hill from the phone box on your left is a gate on the path to the summit of Abdon Burf. Admire the views of the Welsh Marches, Brecon Beacons, Cader Idris and Snowdonia on a clear day. Abdon Burf is the highest hill in Shropshire, trig point 540m.
Descend from the Abdon Burf summit on to the tarmac road and turn right, follow the road over the cattle grid, keeping Lake Kilowatt on the right as you continue. Here there are more views of the Malvern Hills to the east and across the West Midlands.
Frozen treat: Lake at the top of Abdon Burf
There are visible remains of coal and stone quarrying, pre-1900 there was a large hill fort and boundary stones, the meeting place for farmers gathering stock from the hill.
Continue on the tarmac road, past the lake and the old stone crushing house, and follow the road as it turns right down the steep side of the hill, over the cattle grid and then left through the trees.
Continue on this path following the contour of the hill, crossing over two fences until you reach the track you walked up earlier. Turn right and follow the track back to the lane with the red telephone box.
Roam the abandoned medieval village
At this point you can continue down the lane retracing your steps from earlier to finish your loop. Or, if you would like to go a little further for a hidden treat, take a left through the gate marked as a bridleway. Follow the bridleway to the fence line through two gates.
Again from the top! Abdon Burf, highest point in Shropshire
Follow the second gate, you will see a stile in the middle of the path follow the direction of the stile down into the trees with the stream running on your right.
Continue on this path which crosses the stream a couple of times until you reach a wooden gate at the bottom.
Turn right over the footbridge and follow the path across the field to a stile which takes you to a farm gate which is the top of the field, Abdon Ramblers Retreat is situated at the bottom of the field.
Before going through the farm gate take a left and explore the deserted medieval village of Abdon, situated on the south facing lower slopes of Brown Clee Hill overlooking the valley of a tributary to the River Corve.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the ramble! Now, retrace your steps and head back to the cosiness of Abdon Ramblers Retreat.
For more information or to book Abdon Ramblers Retreat go here.