The Mortimer Trail is a waymarked
long-distance footpath and recreational walk in the counties of
Shropshire and
Herefordshire in England.
The route
The route is named after the
Mortimer family of ruling
Marcher Lords, often titled
Earl of March, whose rise through successive generations from
Norman times through the
medieval period helped to shape the history and geography of this area of the
Welsh Marches
The Welsh Marches ( cy, Y Mers) is an imprecisely defined area along the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom. The precise meaning of the term has varied at different periods.
The English term Welsh March (in Medieval Latin ...
.
The route runs between
Ludlow Castle, the former headquarters of the
Council of the Marches and a seat of Mortimer power, and
Kington, Herefordshire, in the quiet west of the county near the
Welsh
Welsh may refer to:
Related to Wales
* Welsh, referring or related to Wales
* Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales
* Welsh people
People
* Welsh (surname)
* Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peopl ...
border.
The route crosses the
River Teme and enters
Mortimer Forest, an area of forested ridges. It passes
Croft Castle
Croft Castle is a country house in the village of Croft, Herefordshire, England. Owned by the Croft family since 1085, the castle and estate passed out of their hands in the 18th century, before being repurchased by the family in 1923. In 195 ...
and the Iron Age hill fort
Croft Ambrey (not far from
Wigmore and the initial seat of Mortimer power), and then passes through quiet
Aymestrey
Aymestrey ( ) is a village and civil parish in north-western Herefordshire, England. The population of this civil parish, including the hamlet of Yatton, at the 2011 Census was 351.
Location
It is located on the A4110 road, about 7 miles no ...
. Near Aymestrey it passes through Puckhouse Wood, reputedly haunted by
pucks or wood sprites. According to lore, a traveller lost in the wood at night paid a stipend for a bell to be tolled to rescue travellers from the Puck's clutches.
The path crosses the
River Lugg and the
River Arrow and ends in Kington.
Five loop walks depart from and return to the main waymarked trail at various points along the route, enabling investigation of surrounding attractions, villages and features. ''The Mortimer Trail Official Route Guide''
details these.
References
External links
{{commons category, Mortimer Trail
Extensive info on the route and its history from Royal Forest of Dean InfoContours
Mortimer Trail
Mortimer Trail information board and trackFlickr photo set of Mortimer Trail walk
Long-distance footpaths in England
Footpaths in Shropshire
Footpaths in Herefordshire
Kington, Herefordshire
Ludlow