Join me for a walk through the beautiful English Countryside
80The English Countryside is so beautiful that the best way to enjoy it is to walk in it!
I would like to share a little bit about the rural county of Herefordshire; it has an abundance of beautiful and unspoilt countryside.
Allow me to take you on a walk through fields and farms, and across hills and stiles. We will see some amazing views and beautiful wild flowers along the way.
Firstly, I'll give you a little bit of background about Public Footpaths and the surrounding area.
I hope you enjoy our walk through the beautiful English Countryside!
The Rural County of Herefordshire
The diverse character of the landscape ranges from the North with its wooded hills to the rolling hills dotted with farms and orchards in the East, the river valleys in the South and in the West the grazed upland hillsides turn into mountain ridges.
Two parts of the County are designated “Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty” - the Malvern Hills AONB in the East and the Wye Valley AONB in the South.
There are over 4,000 registered public rights of way in Herefordshire covering just over 2,000 miles.
Public Footpaths
In England and Wales the public have a legally protected right to travel on foot on Public Footpaths. These can often form a dense network of short paths, offering a choice of routes to many different destinations. It is probable that most footpaths in the countryside are hundreds of years old or more.
Where a Public Footpath crosses a ploughed or planted field the landowner must ensure that the route is walkable, so he must ensure that the surface of the path is flattened after ploughing.
We have all kinds of Public Footpath signs and stiles to cross from one field to another.
Ordnance Survey Maps
Ordnance Survey is the national mapping agency for Great Britain. Ordnance Survey Maps are usually classified as “large scale” in that they show a lot more detail than regular maps. Showing six inches to the mile or more, with exceptional detail of public footpaths and points of interest, they are ideal for navigating a walk through the English Countryside.
We are fortunate to have over 140,000 miles of public footpaths in England and Wales and these are marked by dashed green lines on the appropriate Ordnance Survey Map for that area.
What is a Kissing Gate?
This is a “Kissing Gate”. Its purpose is to give easy passage to people but, at the same time, to act as a barrier to animals.
To pass through the kissing gate, you step into the 'V' shape on the right allowing you to move the gate to the other post and so walk out the other side.
Why the name? Well the story is that a man out walking with his lady friend can pass through first and hold the gate shut - demanding a kiss before permitting his lady friend to pass through!
Today's Walk
I’d like you to join me on just one of the many possible walks through the beautiful English Countryside.
Today’s walk covers approximately 3 miles and is circled in red on the Ordnance Survey Map.
Notice the dashed green lines on the map, indicating where the Public Footpaths are.
This is our first stile and way marker...
After a short walk we come to our next stile...
And then the next way marker...
This points towards our first field, it’s been planted with Rapeseed and the farmer has left an accessible pathway through the middle of the field.
The Rapeseed is about 5 feet high and the colour is breathtakingly beautiful.
We have many fields of Rapeseed and at this time of year, whichever direction you look, you’re sure to see a beautiful blanket of yellow, the colour is so bright and vibrant, it’s quite dazzling.
What is Rapeseed?
Rapeseed oil (Canola oil) was produced in the 19th century as a source of a lubricant for steam engines.
Now Rapeseed is grown for the production of animal feed, vegetable oil for human consumption, and bio diesel.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, rapeseed was the third leading source of vegetable oil in the world in 2000, after soybean and oil palm.
World production is growing rapidly, it’s estimated 58.4 million tonnes was produced in the 2010-2011 season.
We then follow our footpath alongside the beautiful River Wye...
What a View!
It’s so quiet and peaceful here; all you can hear is the birds singing.
I appreciate the birdsong and the lovely wild flowers growing everywhere, although I can’t identify them all!
Below is a selection of the wild flower photographs that we have taken along our way.
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Choice of Walks
We now have a choice of paths and walks to take, it’s a good idea to take your Ordnance Survey Map with you, so you know where you’re going!
We choose the path that takes us up through a farm...
The Old Post Box
Past the old post box, the letters ’GR’ tell us this was in the reign of King George VI which lasted 17 years from Dec 11th 1936 until Feb 6th 1952.
The post box is still usable and there is a collection everyday, only suitable for small letters though!
Across the Stile
This stile is attached to the side of a house; there is a window just above the stile!
Across the stile we find ourselves in an old apple orchard.
As we approach the end of the orchard, we find that we have completed our 3 mile walk.
Thank you for joining me in such an amazing walk through the beautiful English Countryside.
I hope that you enjoyed it!
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Thanks Cloverleaf,it was a lovely sunny spring day, perfect for a walk in the countryside!
Great hub, and fantastic guide. The photo's really make you feel like you're there with you too.
Indeed I enjoyed it. The photos are gorgeous and your writing is travel guide worthy. I have learned so much from this and it makes me want (even more) to visit your lovely country.
Hi CyclingFitness, thanks for your comments, glad you enjoyed the walk!
Thank you Hyphenbird, you are too kind! I hope you do visit England one day!
Welcome to hubpages and to a perfect group of people , Love these pictures and the tour , I was right there with you.:-}
Hi ahorseback,thank you for your welcome, glad you enjoyed the tour and I enjoyed your company!
Brilliant. I enjoyed the photography. The River Wye is gorgeous. Now the Kissing Gate made me laugh reading it's history. I would be through that gate first and hold the gate shut not for a kiss but to make him go away! LOL I loved this hub. It is my favorite.
Hi Mrs J.B. Your comments made me laugh! thanks for joining me on the walk!
Thank you for sharing this. makes me feel that I should experience this too. I have been in the United states for a year now and I haven't got a chance to savor the beauty of countryside. Sometimes simple things in life hold more value than the exotic ones. keep writing
Hi downpourofwords, I love the beauty of the countryside hope you get out there and enjoy it soon too! Thank you so much for dropping by and writing your comments.
Hi! I enjoyed walking with you in this hub. I love walking in the countryside. It made me smile reading your Kissing Gate story. Great hub. Thanks for your follow.
Hi Thelma, thanks for joining me on the walk, I shall look forward to seeing you again.
Fabulous hub! Your photos really capture this walk so well. My favorite description was of the kissing gate. Well done. Voted up and beautiful.
Hi Tracy, it's nice to see you here, thank you for your great comments, I really appreciate it, aaah the kissing gate, we always spend a little bit longer there!! thanks for voting up, have a great day and hope to see you again soon!
Hi Duckie...
What gorgeous pictures! You are quite the photography connoisseur! Thank you for taking us on this "virtual" walk through the beautiful English Countryside. My legs are a little sore, but well worth the walk!
Voted UP, U, A and B
Take care, Duckie,
Diana
Hi Diane, well haven't we had a nice time on our walk, next time though let's pack a picnic and make a day of it! take care my duck! and thank you for your complimentary comments!
I enjoyed our walk together. I had the pleasure of visiting England about 30 years ago. I was visiting relatives in Bristol and in Minehead and I was amazed by the beautiful scenery. Looking forward to more walks with you through the beautiful countryside. Take care!
Hi Memories, I'm glad you enjoyed the walk, we have is some beautiful countryside, we are very lucky here, both Bristol and Minehead are lovely areas hope you get to visit us again sometime, take care and thank you for your lovely comments.
Now I know what a kissing gate is ;-)) Pretty clever! And I love that part of the walk that goes through the middle of the rapeseed field.
Hi iZeko, we always spend a bit of time at the kissing gate:-)) glad you enjoyed the walk through the rapeseed, that was my favourite part too! thank you for joining me on the walk and your comments, take care and have a great day!
WONDERFUL what a great hub - I loved joining you on your walk - voted up across the board
Annie
Hi Annie, thank you for joining me on the walk, I enjoyed your company.
We'll do it again sometime:-)
Many thanks for your comments and voting up, take care and see you soon.
I enjoyed this walk very much! Thank you!! Very lovely...
Hi Susie, thank you for joining me on the walk, glad you enjoyed it, take care and have a great day.
Awesome hub-beautiful photos. My sister and I have always wanted to take an English Garden tour. Voted up.
Hi Denise, we are very fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful countryside here.
I hope you and your sister get to visit over here some time, some of the gardens open to visitors are just wonderful.
Thank you for dropping by, voting up and your comments I really appreciate them.
They don't have walks like this in the US...
Hi EL, we are very fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful countryside here and there are some fabulous public footpath walks, many thanks for joining me on this one, I have enjoyed your company, I will look forward to seeing you again soon, take care.
Wow. It's always been my dream to visit England. I've been a Ringer since I was 14 years old, and this countryside is clearly the inspiration for the Shire. Lovely....
Hello molly, thank you for joining me on this virtual walk in the countryside, hopefully you will make it to England one day!
Many thanks for your visit and comments, best wishes.
What a beautiful stroll that was my friend! I am bookmarking it to do it again sometime. lovely! Thanks so much for sharing. I really liked the story of the kissing gate. Just the romantic in me, I guess. Voting up!
What beautiful pictures! I have always wanted to visit England. Having read your hub, I felt as if I was walking the path with you. Thanks for sharing this wonderful walk.
Very nice hub with useful and interesting information.
Hi homesteadbound, I've enjoyed your company on the stroll this morning!
We always spend a little bit of time at the kissing gate:-)
Many thanks for your comments and vote, take care.
Hi tipoague, I'm glad you enjoyed our walk this morning it was nice to have your company.
I hope you will get to visit England one day!
Thank you for comments and take care.
Good Morning Allen, I'm glad you were able to join me for this walk and you enjoyed it.
I appreciate you dropping by and your comments, hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
beautiful and very informative hub! Its raining in my city now and the smell of freshly drenched earth is simply awesome and taking a walk along side the English countryside through your hub has truely refreshed me!
thank you for sharing!
Hello sonia, thank you for joining me for the walk in our beautiful countryside, I have enjoyed your company!
and many thanks for your great comments, take care and see you soon.
What a great place to be! The kissing gate is adorable. Thanks for the walk.....great hub!
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely. Love the Kissing Gate.
Hi miccimom, I'm glad you've enjoyed our walk this beautiful morning!
Thank you for your company and comments, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
Hello lambservant, it's nice to see you, I'm glad you've enjoyed your walk this morning, the kissing gate is fun and quite unique to the UK!
Many thanks for commenting, best wishes.
When I think of country charm I think of the English countryside. Beautiful Hub. Thanks!
Hello mvillecat, we are very lucky here to be surrounded by beautiful countryside to enjoy.
Thank you so much for dropping by and your your comments, take care and have a great weekend!
Thank you for a lovely walk in the English countryside! Your photos make me feel like I am right there they are so beautiful! I have only been to London and would love to travel to the English countryside and see it. I have to put that on my bucket list. Great hub!
Hi Suzette, thank you for joining me on a tour of the countryside, I have enjoyed your company!
I hope you will come to England again one day and sample the beautiful countryside!
Many thanks for your comments, take care.
This is great. I love the countryside and this is really nice.
Hi again Felicity, The countryside is lovely here, I'm glad you enjoyed the walk.
Thank you for visiting and your comments and support it's much appreciated, best wishes.
I really enjoyed the walk through the countryside, thank you! I've been to the Lake District and lived in East Anglia for awhile, you can't beat the English Countryside, I loved it :-)
Hi gryphin, thank you for joining me on the walk through the countryside.
You have visited the Lake District! it's so beautiful there, next time you're over you must visit the Wye Valley!
Many thanks for your comments, take care, best wishes MM
MM, such a beautiful place and such a great walk! Very interesting as well with the footpaths. Never knew that. I was surprised that the property owners had to make clear for it. I enjoy the landscapes and since I am a history buff at heart, I can't help but wonder who has walked those paths. Great job my friend. MM, take care and best to you:)
Hi TLW, thank you for joining me on this walk, you are great company!
We are so fortunate here to have public footpaths through our lovely countryside.
Many thanks for your comments, have a wonderful day my friend and take care MM
I like that concept of public paths. I will likely never get an opportunity to hike in the English countryside, so I appreciate this opportunity for a virtual walk via your hub. The first two photos remind me of a wheat growing region where I lived for a while called the Palouse. To see, at Googled Images enter Palouse.
Hi B. Leekley, I googled Palouse, the images are beautiful, what a fabulous region to live in.
We are very fortunate here to have such a large network of public footpaths to walk, I'm so pleased you enjoyed your virtual visit.
Thank you and best wishes lesley
awsome
Hi daffodil2010, thank you for visiting, glad you enjoyed reading!
Best wishes lesley
Cloverleaf Level 7 Commenter 12 months ago
Beautiful hub! Your pictures are just awesome. Thank you for taking us through such a lovely walk.