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| From the smug
little town of Bosbury in Herefordshire, the Leadon trickles
its way north towards its source. WARNING: Don’t attempt
this walk on Boxing Day if you want to avoid a bunch of rabid,
red-coated barbarians on horses, intent on terrorising foxes. |
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| Park
(if you can) opposite the pub. Head west past the church until
you come to a barber shop on your right. Just beyond is a
little lane that runs north along the river bank. |
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| After a short
tree-covered walk you emerge into an orchard. Head along the
right-hand hedge. |
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| Cross a stile into a field
and make for the opposite corner where you join a lane that
leads towards Catley Cross Farm. |
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| When you reach
the road, turn right and walk 200m back towards the Leadon
where it’s crossed by England’s Bridge. |
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| Immediately
after the bridge, there’s a stile on the left into a young
orchard. Stick mostly to the line of the river, travelling
north past Bentley’s Farm until you come out into a long
field. |
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| There’s a
stile at the end that takes you back onto lanes. Turn left and
up the slope to Notehouse Farm. Then right into the farm and
when you reach the main buildings you will see the path back
into the valley on your right. |
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| Head into the
fields and follow the obvious track around the curve of the
valley. |
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| When you pass
Dodd’s Mill in the valley below you, go through a gateway
and down the next field towards the river. |
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| There’s a
small pool ahead; pass it on the right and turn left into the
adjacent field and climb up the slope along the line of the
hedge. |
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| Find a gap with
a stile and turn north towards a line of oaks. Head in this
direction and then veer right down the slope to Collier’s
Bridge. |
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| This is the
halfway point. Cross the Leadon and head south again on the
stony path that runs around the edge of the valley. |
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| At the first
cottage, go through the five-bar gate and head on down to
lane. When you come out on the road you are only a few metres
from the path you used to come up the valley. You can either
retrace your steps or go back down the lane to the left
towards Bosbury. |
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| If you take the
latter, you will come out at the top of the village. Turn
right at the main road and back down to the church. |
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