Aconbury Woods loop from Wormelow

02:56

10.3km

240m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 6, 2024

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

319 m

Wormelow Tump

Highlight • Settlement

Wormelow is a village in Herefordshire with strong links to Arthurian legend. Also known as Wormelow Tump, the tump refers to a mound that was said to be the grave of King Arthur's son Amr. However, the tump was flattened to widen the main road in 1896.

It is part of the parish of Much Dewchurch, a neighbouring village to the north west. Here is the Grade I-listed St David's Church, boasting a distinctive square tower.

Tip by

2.51 km

Higgins' Well

Highlight • Structure

Hidden a quiet part of Little Birch village, the brickwork of Higgins' Well dates from the early 19th century. Some improvements were added later, including a large pool as an animal trough for use during Victoria's diamond jubilee. Higgins Well has long been an important and unfailing supply of water for the village. A local legend about the well, as told on visitoruk.com/Hereford/little-birch-C592-V11335.html runs as follows:

"The original outlet for the waters of the well was in a meadow at the top of the steep bank which rises above the present well. The owner of this meadow became so annoyed at the trespasses of the villagers across his land to the well that he had it filled up. However, shortly afterwards, while smoking his pipe in the great chimney corner of his house, he was startled by a sudden eruption of water under his feet."

"To his untutored mind, the waters forcing this new outlet were a sign that the guardian spirit protecting the local people's rights was asserting itself. To appease this spirit, but determined not to reopen the well, he moved down to the present site and started to dig. In due course water began to bubble up through the underlying rock and, miraculously, the inrush in the chimney corner disappeared. The water spirit was obviously satisfied that water was once again made available to the people. This "act of contrition" resulted in local immortality for Mr Higgins."

Tip by