Malvern Hills - Hereford Beacon & British Camp (Day 1)

A weekend of hill walking awaits in the beautiful Malvern Hills. Rising majestically from the Severn Valley this area of outstanding natural beauty borders Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The area is famed for its dramatic hills and for the pure spring water that flows from them. A brief shower just as we are about to start the walk doesn't deter us. Apart from putting on another layer of clothing to keep the rain off. It didn't stay on long as the sun soon came back out again.
The walk today will cover the 'Southern Hills' starting from 'Hollybush'. We take the right hand path as we will be coming back over 'Midsummer Hill'. Whichever way we had chosen to go would have been a steep start. We soon drop down int the woods, in places it is very wet underfoot. I have opted for comfort footwear rather than sturdy. Getting a grip is difficult and a couple of times I nearly go over. I'm quite relieved once we start walking uphill again in truth. Both my knees are heavily strapped to give extra support. We continue climbing past the disused quarry. 

We are heading towards Swinyard Hill, north of Midsummer Hill and south of Hangmans Hill. It has an elevation of 272 metres (892 ft). Swinyard Hill is one of the 8 peaks along the  Three Choirs Way. I suspect it gets It's name because the Cathedrals of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester can be seen from the highest points. Every direction you look the views are spectacular. Clutters Cave or Giants Cave is located next to Hangman's Hill on the Herefordshire side. It is an artificial cave and may once have been a Hermit's dwelling place. We are now in an area called 'Broad Down'. We are heading in the direction of 'Herefordshire Beacon' and 'British Camp'. The underlying rocks beneath the Hills play a huge role in making this dramatic landscape of flat vales and steep, abrupt hills. At about 700 million years old, the rocks of the Hills are some of the oldest rocks in the UK! 

British Camp & Herefordshire Beacon

British Camp is an Iron Age Hill Fort  which dates from 200 BC. With Motte and Bailey earthworks it takes up much of the Herefordshire Beacon ((1109ft). The second highest summit in the hills. From here there are fantastic views across to The Cotswolds. We stop for a much needed sit down and a drink. Just relaxing and taking in the surrounding scenery. Nothing could be better. We have reached our furthest point for today and will be completing a circular walk back to the starting point earlier.

Leaving British Camp we make a detour west from the planned route to see the 'Eastnor Obelisk'. This 90ft monument can be seen for miles around, and was erected in 1812. The same time as Eastnor Castle. The Obelisk is a monument to the 'Somers Cocks' family. It is currently a Grade 2 listed monument. I would have liked to have had a closer look at Eastnor castle and the Deer Park (used as a location for the wedding episode in the US Drama series 'Succession'). but time was against us. 

The Malvern Hills is one of the smaller Areas of Natural Beauty (AONB) comprising of approximately 105 sq.km extending some 20 km in length and about 9 km at It's widest point. 

The walk itself is only a shade over 7 miles. The elevation gain in total though is 1,724 ft.  

I t has been a tremendous walk and we can a similar one again tomorrow. As long as the knee holds up of course.. The elevation tomorrow will be even higher! But for now it is time to find somewhere that serves a decent pint , get something to eat. Not to mention finding somewhere to pitch our tents.