The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Fladbury, Wyre Piddle, Pershore & Cropthorne (20)

It has amazingly been around 11 months since we last ventured along the 'Shakespeare's Avon Way'. A long walk of us ahead of us today from our starting point at Fladbury. Happy memories of walking here last time when the village Fete was taking place. Looking at the map it seems like we will be crossing the River Avon at least four times. We are walking in an anti-clockwise direction today towards Wyre Piddle. On what is the 'preantepenultimate' walk on The SAW (Three before the end or fourth last).

The nearby fields are busy with the Veg pickers in their high vis jackets, Spring Onions by the looks of things. It's a lovely day for walking as we pass through a very well maintained Holiday Park. Beautiful lakes and paths sympathetic to wildlife and insects. We are also on the Wychavon Way. A 40 miles / 67 kilometres. A route that begins in the town of Droitwich Spa and ends in Broadway. Throughout the course of this route, you will pass by rolling hills, valleys, rivers, meadows, forests, and farmlands. It was created in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. It was then relaunched in 2012 to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, with substantial route changes.

We hadn't been going very long before disaster struck. A fly flew straight into my eye, not a disaster you might think? Previous experiences have taught me otherwise. Within seconds the eye was starting to close up, and swell on the outside. Not the best of starts. My walking companion need an urgent 'comfort break' too, only one thing for it , stop at the nearest pub. A case of needs must , if ever there was one.

 

'The Anchor' Wyre Piddle

The Anchor in Wyre Piddle let us in , as long as we kept the two dogs with us today under close control. My companion disappeared quickly....Leaving me with my one good eye, to try and navigate the the three tiered decking , two drinks and two dogs. If I look hacked off in the photo it is because I am. A black eye effect is quickly forming. The views along the Avon are very good though , at least those I can see. By some cruel trick my phone has gone completely dark. The brightness has gone to 0%..... Well, I do like a challenge. What can go wrong next?

 

The River Avon

We are now up close and personal with the River Avon as we head towards Pershore. Current River levels are 3.26m which is slightly below normal for this location. The usual range of the River Avon at Pershore is between 3.36m and 3.61m.The highest level ever recorded at the River Avon at Pershore is 6.07m, reached on Saturday 21st July 2007 at 5:00pm.Some interesting facts for you there. In the distance amongst the trees the spire of Pershore Abbey comes into view. 

Pershore Abbey

A slight detour is made in the Georgian market town of Pershore. It would have been a shame not to see the most famous sight 'Pershore Abbey' . A quick eye update , It is still closed up and looks like I've been punched. Eye contact being avoided currently. This former Anglo- Saxon Abbey is now an Anglican Parish Church 'The Church of the Holy Cross'. founded in 689AD by King Oswald. Later, in 972AD, a charter was granted by King Edgar. Most of the Abbey’s architecture is from the 13th century and today it is dominated by the tall pinnacled tower.It is set amongst beautiful countryside with great views towards the Bredon Hills. Further away the imposing Malvern Hills provide an imposing backdrop.

We cut back on to the busy High St making our way towards the famous Old Pershore Bridge on the edge of town. The original Bridge was built in the 15th Century by Monks from the Abbey.. It got damaged during the English Civil War and was re-built in the 17th Century. Just before you get to the Bridge is the Victorian Toll House which is full of character. Dating to c1860, it is now a private residence.

 

 

The Old Bridge Pershore

Pershore bridge is Listed Grade II. We follow the Shakespeare's Avon Way away from Pershore towards open countryside and Goodleigh Hill. The pollen count is incredibly strong today. As we walk through the fields you can see it rising like dust.  I'm sneezing well and must have cursed a hundred times at least for not bringing my sunglasses....We are right in the shadow of the Bredon Hills now. The next walk on this journey will see us walking the ridge across the top which I'm really looking forward too. 

The Bredon Hills

This is definitely the most picturesque part of the walk. There are some lovely stretches of the River Avon and some beautiful houses. We are approaching the Combertons (Great & Little). The area was inhabited from prehistoric times, with Iron Age and Roman remains found locally.Near neighbour 'Little Comberton' is actually somewhat the bigger of the two. The area was inhabited from prehistoric times, with Iron Age and Roman remains found locally. There have been Roman coins and artefacts found in the village and the church, which is originally 12th century, and is thought to stand on the site of a Roman temple.    

 

 

 

This beautiful  old house on the left dates back to the 16th Century. It looks right out of' 'The Darling Buds of May '. The lady owner tells us that it was left to her in a will by the previous owner. As you might expect it is very high maintenance.

Next stop is the village of Cropthorne. 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Worcester. Its ancient orchards sweep down to the river and offer yet more clear, unbroken views across the vale to the Malvern Hills. St Michael's Church dates back to the 12th century. The church is a Grade I listed building. Our starting point the village of Fladbury is located on the opposite bank of the river. Once again we cross our old friend from the last visit the 'Jubilee Bridge'.The fields that day were full of cars for the village festival. Today they are all overgrown, but very pretty none the less. Definitely one of the best walks so far on The Shakespeare's Avon Way.More miles walked too, a total of 15.5 miles (27,466 steps). Unfortunately the eye injury hasn't improved. I'm looking forward to an Optrex Eye Bath treatment when I get home!