Sunshine, Elgar and bluebells, Malvern Wells Common, Worcestershire.

The Elgars bench path

Horse chestnut Avenue

A wonderfully warm morning, bathed in glorious sunshine. I parked in the upper car park off Peachfield Road and walked along the top path past Elgar's bench. Yellow wood anemones still adorn the lush green grass and the young leaves are now opening upon the horse chestnut avenue.

Elgar's Bench

Mirror like pool

 The pool is perfectly clear and still, reflecting the sky above as well as any mirror.

Blue bells just opening

Beyond the pool I found the first bluebells I have seen in flower this year. It will be at least another week before the bluebells on the west side of the hill open, but here on the east side spring is looking beautifully brilliant.

Bluebell detail

The hill above Elgar's bench

Woolhope Dome and Broadmoor Common, Herefordshire.

Mistletoe detail

Crocus and daffodil

Today I went on a circular walk  through an area known as the Woolhope Dome and across a Nature Reserve called Broadmoor Common. We used a pub called The Crown as the place to start and finish our walk. The food there is great and so it is also where we had our lunch. This also means the 12th century church, visible from almost all points along our walk, signposted for us where we had parked our car. 

Broadmore Common, which we crossed at a part of the walk, is a species rich and valuable grassland common. We saw sheep and lambs, cows,  Canada geese, common geese and hens whilst on the walk. 

An easy and interesting walk, with many sweet bridges, stiles and kissing gates, it is well signposted and is 6.5 miles in length. Free leaflets with maps are available from local tourist information centres.

Various views from walk 

Apple orchard crossed on walk

One of several duck ponds

Castlemorton and Hollybed Common, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire

Swinyard Hill and Hangman's Hill as seen from Castlemorton Common

The Mill Pond on Hollybed Common

 Castlemorton and Hollybed Common are the largest remaining parts of what once were the Royal Hunting Grounds of King James 1. It is a flat and open landscape to the west of which the Malvern Hills rise. There is somehow a vastness to this place that is exhilarating and uplifting.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to it's rare flora and fauna, who rely upon its grassland. To ensure the survival of this habitat sheep and cattle graze across the open ground.

Today is wonderfully bright and, despite an occasional light snow flurry, due to the lack of wind it feels remarkably warm. An easy walk or cycle could be enjoyed due to the areas flatness. It is an ideal place to explore if you are finding the hills taxing, or for picnics and kite flying on sunnier warmer days.

Panoramic shot from Castlemorton Common

In amongst the sheep grazing on the common