We are the Worcester Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Anne Holmes
This is a 9.2 mile circular walk which starts from the car park (and bus station) opposite the Library and on your left as you drive into Newent. There are toilet facilities at the car park. Within a very short time we will be out of the small town and into the countryside. The walk covers some quiet lanes, paths, fields and a number of lovely wooded areas on the outward and return aspects of the walk. There are a couple of stiles to be negotiated and some uneven areas in places when walking through one of the woods.
There are fantastic views from May Hill over Herefordshire, to Wales and the Black Mountains. You can also see the Forest of Dean, over the Severn Estuary and out towards the Cotswolds.
May Hill with its conspicuous clump of pine trees rises to a height of 305 m. The Corsican pines at its summit were planted to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 with more recent planting marking Queen Elizabeth 's Silver Jubilee. The area of acidic grassland on the summit of May Hill is the largest and finest example in Gloucestershire. In spring its covered in bluebells. Bracken grows in abundance and plants such as heath bedstraw, heath speedwell, bilberry and heather thrive here. Breeding birds like tree and meadow pipits may also be heard.
Lewell Street Car Park (which is also the bus station) is situated just off the High Street in the centre of Newent and is on your left as you drive into Newent (opposite the library). There are toilet facilities within the car park area which is a pay and display car park for which you will require coins. £4 for the day. Please note that the post code includes the short stay car park as well, make sure you get the right one!
