Wine Walk: Wythall Estate Vineyard
Take this glorious walk to see why much of the Herefordshire countryside is best seen on foot. You'll enjoy the beauty of a historic rural church, the stunning grounds of Wythall Estate Vineyard, and a visit to a much-loved country pub
About Wythall Estate Vineyard
Located in southern Herefordshire's gorgeous Wye Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Wythall Estate Vineyard was planted in 2010, with four varieties of grape, producing still and sparkling wines. Each variety has won prestigious awards, including a gold in the Independent English Wine Awards 2023. As well as enjoying the gorgeous grounds, visitors can book a delightful vineyard tour followed by a tutored wine tasting to sample a taste of Herefordshire's finest produce. The lakeside Wine Garden is open on select days across the spring and summer months, where you can relax over a glass of wine and a seasonal platter of charcuterie and cheese.
Route Guide
The walk follows a beautiful section of the Wye Valley Walk and then ascends to the upland lanes and by-ways of Leys Hill and Howle Hill. Note that there are some steep climbs and at the time of writing there are four difficult stiles between locations 9 and 10. Total ascents 820ft. Parking is normally available at Walford Church car park - a donation at the church would be much appreciated.
Starting at Walford Church, go left on the main road and immediately right at the footpath sign and over a footbridge. Go right at the tarmac road, passing Daycroft Farm on the left and follow the stony track all the way up to The Rock.
Go right onto the Wye Valley Walk for about 600 m, passing a steel field gate and down a tarmac track to the bottom of the hill. Turn left to follow the tarmac track uphill. After 250 m, leave the track next to a cottage on the left to go right onto a footpath. Towards the end of this section keep left, gently downhill with the path widening into a vehicle track to an intersection point, with Coombe Lodge on the right.
Turn left up the footpath through a wooden gate. Follow the path left at the steel drinking trough and through another wooden gate. At Rose Cottage turn right up the footpath. At the blue drainage channel go left up the footpath and turn left just after the lantern garden. At Warren Cottage go straight ahead onto a track and ahead again to a T junction with a tarmac road.
Go left for 100 m and then right and immediately left again to reach Shop Farm Barn after 370 m. Go straight ahead onto a track which quickly becomes a footpath. At the T junction in the path go left with a wooden shed on your left. On reaching a track go right slightly uphill and then keep to the right to join a road. Go right and then immediately left onto another road.
Go straight ahead for 200 m to Hill Farm, around the back of the buildings and over a wooden stile into the woods. Continue down the path through the woods and then turn left on joining another path and down a track for 350 m to a road.
Cross the road, go past a stile and over another 2 more stiles to a small valley with the vineyard of Wythall Estate in the bottom. At this juncture, make time to visit the vineyard. We recommend pre-booking a tour.
Go ahead over 2 stiles to leave the valley and join a road. Go left and immediately right onto a footpath (signed Walford). Continue along the lower edge of the woods for 300 m to a T junction in the path
Go right down the stone steps, down a path to a stony track and then follow the route back to Walford Church. After your exertions, relax over lunch in The Mill Race pub in the village.
With many thanks to Ross-on-Wye Walkers Are Welcome for mapping and providing this route.
