Daffodil Way

Wild daffodils flower from February to early April in the UK and are blooming in the woods, meadows, hedgerows, gardens and some churchyards. In a small patch of north Gloucestershire and South Herefordshire, some of the woods, meadows, hedgerows and churchyards have been joined together by the creation of a circular walk called the Daffodil Way. The Daffodil Way is a 8 mile walk you can take in order to see the yellow carpets of daffodils around Newent. You can obtain a leaflet from Ledbury tourist information centre, which outlines the walk and what you can see en route, but here is an alternative route you could talk.

There is a fair amount of public access land on this route, including Betty Daw's Wood (a Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) nature reserve), Hay Wood, Greenaway's Wood and Shaw Common. You can explore all of these as you wish, with no need to stick to rights of way or the route described here, but please do keep to the wider paths to avoid trampling not only on the daffodils but also the newly emerging leaves of the forthcoming bluebells, which will be next to grace the woodland floors.

Upon leaving Greenaway's Wood you will see another GWT nature reserve, Gwen & Vera's Fields. Note that GWT asks that you do not enter the meadows but admire them from the gates.

There are two further fields, Wellings' Garden and The Pleck, on either side of the exit from Greenaway's Wood, and they are considered to be two of Gloucestershire's finest daffodil meadows. They also have other wild flowers as well as some traditional varieties of apple and pear trees.

Take your binoculars if you're into bird watching as there are some large pools by the canal. Also, note that where the towpath crosses a lane a short detour to the left will bring you to Oxenhall where wild daffodils fill the churchyard.

Please remember that it is illegal to pick wild daffodils, so leave them where they are.

This walk is 8 miles/13.5km in length and also uses part of the towpath of the partially restored Hereford and Gloucester Canal.

So here we go:

Leave High Street in Newent on the B4221, take a left and at the fork take a right into and across to Horsefair Lane. Turn right on the footpath after 400m, follow it to the Hereford and Gloucester Canal, join the towpath and walk to Cold Harbour Bridge. Go up to a lane and turn left. Take a footpath on the left after 400m and turn right. Walk through three fields, cross the canal and go uphill through orchards and fields to a lane. Turn right, then soon, left at a T-junction.

Take the footpath on the left just after a phone box, crossing a field into the corner of Betty Daw's Wood. The right of way keeps to the left of the wood, but you can gain access by climbing over a gate (there is an official access point further along the road). Proceed a few paces to a junction and turn right. Turn left at the next junction and walk to the far side of the wood. Leave it at a gate and follow the left edge of a field (ignoring the second gate) until a footbridge giving access to Greenaway's Wood. Walk straight through on the waymarked path.

Turn right, at Quince Cottage, go through an unsigned gate opposite to another wood, this is Shaw Common. Take the main path, then cross a farm access track to enter Hay Wood. Keep straight on at three junctions, joining a forest road at the third one. The road eventually comes to a T-junction marked by a green-banded post. Turn left and keep straight on at a fork, to meet a lane. Now turn right.

Take the footpath on the left which rejoins the lane just beyond a ford. Turn left on to the bridleway, passing Brockmore Farm and eventually forking left after Brook Cottage. Cross the B4221 to Stoney Road. Turn left at Place Hill then take the footpath by The Old Cottage. Keep to the left through an orchard then straight on along a field edge. Cross a lane to a path opposite and proceed to another lane. Cross to another footpath and keep to the right through an orchard and onto another lane. Cross to a path opposite, following a waymarked route through a garden and into a field. Walk along the left edge to the lefthand one of two adjacent footbridges. Walk up a tree lined path to a driveway and proceed to the B4222.

Cross the B4222 to a path opposite, walk to a track and turn left. Take a path on the right just after Lodge Farm, going through an orchard and a wood. Turn right at the road then right again, there is an alternative access available further along the road, to reach a junction by a picnic table. Turn right into another picnic area. Turn right to find a path on the left. Descend to the bottom left corner of the field and cross a footbridge into another field. Head up a slope towards farm buildings, keeping to the left of fencing. Walk straight on between the buildings to a junction at Wyatts Farm.

Now turn left, go through a white gate and join the farm driveway. Turn right at a lane then take a footpath on the left at Mayfield. Keep straight on until you reach Broadford Meadow Arboretum. Turn right, making your way to the far corner to meet Watery Lane. Turn left back into Newent.

Please remember that it is illegal to pick wild daffodils, so leave them where they are.

Location: Daffodil Walk starting at High Street, Newent, Glos Grid Reference: SO720259  Ceremonial County: Gloucestershire Map Link: StreetMap of the start point  Maps: OS Explorer OL14, OS Landrangers 149/162 Aerial photo: Getting there: From J3 of the M50 take the B4221 into Newent. Park up and start your walk in the High Street. Access: Mostly farmland, with woods, orchards and some arable fields; gentle gradients; very muddy. Footpaths are mostly excellent. There are however 21 stiles to cross. Length of walk may not be suitable for young children. Car park off High Street in Newent. Website: Other Useful Websites: Email: Address: Postcode: GL18 Telephone: Opening Times: Any time Charges: None Nearby Locations: Dymock Daffodil Way (another route) Other Location Pages: Other Relevant Pages: Notes: Daffodils are out around Feb-April time, wildlife, woods and trees. Please remember that it is illegal to pick wild daffodils. Be careful on farmland any crops or animals should be treated with respect it is their home. Keep Dogs on a lead if farm animals are about.

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By: Tracey Park	Section:	Key:
Page Ref: daffodils_way	Topic: Woodlands and Forests	Last Updated: 02/2012

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